Monday, December 5, 2011
Ashura: Tragedy of sectarianism
The 10th of Muharram was once historically the day of the remembrance of Imam Husain’s martyrdom as Islam’s central allegory of right and wrong, in which right triumphed through a refusal to accept wrong. Today.... Read More
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Habiba Sarabi: “Violence against women is still a problem in Afghanistan”
05/12 00:44 CET
Habiba Sarabi is Afghanistan’s only female governor. She’s headed Bamiyan province since 2005, engaged in rebuilding from scratch her part of one of the world’s most murderous countries.
A qualified doctor, she left Afghanistan under the Taliban, but returned in secret to teach girls.
Today, still the target of death threats, she continues her struggle to put her country back on its feet.
euronews: “ Habiba Sarabi, you are a prominent figure in Afghanistan. How does it feel to be a major female politician in a male-dominated society ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ It’s very difficult to work as a politician and especially I’m the first and only female governor. But anyway, it is the major issue that I have to watch every step to not making something wrong, otherwise, all fingers will show to me. “
euronews: “One of your priorities is girls education. During the Taliban rule, it was banned beyond the age of 8, and girls could not even write their names, very few could. What is the situation like now in your province and in the rest of Afghanistan ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Nowadays the girls education is getting improved. We have 38% from total students, 38% of them in the entire country are girls, but in my province we have 44%, which is a little bit above the country level of education. “
euronews: “ Women’s condition tough is not only about education. What about forced weddings, burqa, violence against women, lapidations… Is this getting any better ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Everything is getting better, much better since 2001. But violence against women is still a problem. And it’s due to the lack of education, the poverty is another cause or another reason for that, and the lack of awareness among women, these are the main problems for the violence against women. “
euronews: “ Your province, Bamyan, is one of the poorest in Afghanistan. These is little electricity, no running water, very few roads, a high mortality rate too. What are you doing to try and improve the situation ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Bamyan was isolated, so I put the first priority for road. And so I have been Lobbying a lot for road, so I got something for that, because road is the only thing that we can get (that can get us) easily to education, to health service, to economic development, to everything. Another issue is our national park. Bamyan has the first national park, which is our lakes. So, we got some money for that, this park. “
euronews: “ 10 years after the beginning of the war, is Afghanistan a safer place ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ To be honest, for safer place, no. It was much more better – I cannot tell 10 years ago – but at least 6 years and 7 years ago, it was much better than today. But I am sure with the commitment of the international community, we can get something. And the peace process is going on. “
euronews: “ So do you think that Afghanistan can let foreign troops leave in 3 years from now as it is planned ? Do you think this is feasible ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ It will be done, and this policy and this programme can go exactly as it is planned with the international community. But beside that, we need some more support especially for training on police and army, ANA and ANP (Afghanistan national army and Afghanistan national police), and also to well-equip them so that they can defend themselves. But I am sure that the international community is not goeing (to leave) totally. So, a number of them will remain with the government of Afghanistan, with the people of Afghanistan to support them for better conditions until Afghanistan can be a sustainable country. “
euronews: “ Doctor Sarabi, is negotiating with Talibans the right thing to do ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ The Taliban doesn’t have a fix address that here we can discuss with them, with whom ? For example Mollah Omar is not present, just making some noise or making announcements through the media. So because the address of Taliban is not clear, it’s better to look for the cause of problem which is Pakistan. “
euronews: “ So, you are not in favour of negotiating with them ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ I think so, yeah. “
euronews: “ Governor Sarabi, you have been appointed by president Karzaï who is quite largely accused of being corrupt and only wishing for a third term. Do you have the feeling that you have to distance yourself from him ? “
Habiba Sarabi:” No, never. Because I am a part of government of Afghanistan. We have to bring change. If everyone can take distance, who will work ? Maybe there will be (is) corruption on the government of Afghanistan, but we have to correct it, we have to not to allow to follow the mistake, but the president Karzaï himself announced that he will not run for a third term, and he will give the chance, and legally he is not allowed to run for the third term. “
euronews:” But will the people in the system be willing to change the system ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ All of them, they are not the same position and they don’t have the same ideas. There are people that want to bring some change, they want to follow the.. to make a good system, to help the people of Afghanistan. “
euronews:” Habiba Sarabi, thank you.”
euronews
Habiba Sarabi is Afghanistan’s only female governor. She’s headed Bamiyan province since 2005, engaged in rebuilding from scratch her part of one of the world’s most murderous countries.
A qualified doctor, she left Afghanistan under the Taliban, but returned in secret to teach girls.
Today, still the target of death threats, she continues her struggle to put her country back on its feet.
euronews: “ Habiba Sarabi, you are a prominent figure in Afghanistan. How does it feel to be a major female politician in a male-dominated society ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ It’s very difficult to work as a politician and especially I’m the first and only female governor. But anyway, it is the major issue that I have to watch every step to not making something wrong, otherwise, all fingers will show to me. “
euronews: “One of your priorities is girls education. During the Taliban rule, it was banned beyond the age of 8, and girls could not even write their names, very few could. What is the situation like now in your province and in the rest of Afghanistan ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Nowadays the girls education is getting improved. We have 38% from total students, 38% of them in the entire country are girls, but in my province we have 44%, which is a little bit above the country level of education. “
euronews: “ Women’s condition tough is not only about education. What about forced weddings, burqa, violence against women, lapidations… Is this getting any better ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Everything is getting better, much better since 2001. But violence against women is still a problem. And it’s due to the lack of education, the poverty is another cause or another reason for that, and the lack of awareness among women, these are the main problems for the violence against women. “
euronews: “ Your province, Bamyan, is one of the poorest in Afghanistan. These is little electricity, no running water, very few roads, a high mortality rate too. What are you doing to try and improve the situation ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ Bamyan was isolated, so I put the first priority for road. And so I have been Lobbying a lot for road, so I got something for that, because road is the only thing that we can get (that can get us) easily to education, to health service, to economic development, to everything. Another issue is our national park. Bamyan has the first national park, which is our lakes. So, we got some money for that, this park. “
euronews: “ 10 years after the beginning of the war, is Afghanistan a safer place ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ To be honest, for safer place, no. It was much more better – I cannot tell 10 years ago – but at least 6 years and 7 years ago, it was much better than today. But I am sure with the commitment of the international community, we can get something. And the peace process is going on. “
euronews: “ So do you think that Afghanistan can let foreign troops leave in 3 years from now as it is planned ? Do you think this is feasible ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ It will be done, and this policy and this programme can go exactly as it is planned with the international community. But beside that, we need some more support especially for training on police and army, ANA and ANP (Afghanistan national army and Afghanistan national police), and also to well-equip them so that they can defend themselves. But I am sure that the international community is not goeing (to leave) totally. So, a number of them will remain with the government of Afghanistan, with the people of Afghanistan to support them for better conditions until Afghanistan can be a sustainable country. “
euronews: “ Doctor Sarabi, is negotiating with Talibans the right thing to do ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ The Taliban doesn’t have a fix address that here we can discuss with them, with whom ? For example Mollah Omar is not present, just making some noise or making announcements through the media. So because the address of Taliban is not clear, it’s better to look for the cause of problem which is Pakistan. “
euronews: “ So, you are not in favour of negotiating with them ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ I think so, yeah. “
euronews: “ Governor Sarabi, you have been appointed by president Karzaï who is quite largely accused of being corrupt and only wishing for a third term. Do you have the feeling that you have to distance yourself from him ? “
Habiba Sarabi:” No, never. Because I am a part of government of Afghanistan. We have to bring change. If everyone can take distance, who will work ? Maybe there will be (is) corruption on the government of Afghanistan, but we have to correct it, we have to not to allow to follow the mistake, but the president Karzaï himself announced that he will not run for a third term, and he will give the chance, and legally he is not allowed to run for the third term. “
euronews:” But will the people in the system be willing to change the system ? “
Habiba Sarabi: “ All of them, they are not the same position and they don’t have the same ideas. There are people that want to bring some change, they want to follow the.. to make a good system, to help the people of Afghanistan. “
euronews:” Habiba Sarabi, thank you.”
euronews
Eight districts declared sensitive in Balochistan
Monday, December 05, 2011
QUETTA: Balochistan Home Secretary Nasibullah Bazai said on Sunday that eight districts of the province including Quetta were sensitive and stringent security arrangements had been made.
Addressing a crowded news conference along with CCPO Quetta Ahsan Mehboob, Commissioner Quetta Muhammad Nasim Lehri and Director General Directorate of Public Relations Kamran Asade, he said that over 5,000 personnel of police, 27 platoons of the Frontier Corps and 500 personnel of Levies Force had been deployed in and around Quetta city while tight security arrangements had also been made in seven other districts including Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Sibi, Kachhi Bolan, Loralai, Zhob and Khuzdar to avert any untoward incident during Ashura.
Replying to a question, he said that mourners of the processions had been asked not to bring weapons with them. He said there was no threat hurled to commit sabotage act adding that however, foolproof security arrangements were put to maintain law and order.
He said that 300 to 400 Nato oil tankers and containers in Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah districts and 200 to 300 in other districts had been assembled for protection purposes. CCPO Mehboob said that 32 CCTV cameras had been installed to vigil movement on main city roads, adding that out of them 11 were installed on routs of the Muharram-ul-Haram related processions. He said that 30 cases out of 44 in connection with terrorism had been partially or completely worked out. He said that 40 offenders were wanted in these cases.
The News
QUETTA: Balochistan Home Secretary Nasibullah Bazai said on Sunday that eight districts of the province including Quetta were sensitive and stringent security arrangements had been made.
Addressing a crowded news conference along with CCPO Quetta Ahsan Mehboob, Commissioner Quetta Muhammad Nasim Lehri and Director General Directorate of Public Relations Kamran Asade, he said that over 5,000 personnel of police, 27 platoons of the Frontier Corps and 500 personnel of Levies Force had been deployed in and around Quetta city while tight security arrangements had also been made in seven other districts including Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Sibi, Kachhi Bolan, Loralai, Zhob and Khuzdar to avert any untoward incident during Ashura.
Replying to a question, he said that mourners of the processions had been asked not to bring weapons with them. He said there was no threat hurled to commit sabotage act adding that however, foolproof security arrangements were put to maintain law and order.
He said that 300 to 400 Nato oil tankers and containers in Quetta, Pishin and Qila Abdullah districts and 200 to 300 in other districts had been assembled for protection purposes. CCPO Mehboob said that 32 CCTV cameras had been installed to vigil movement on main city roads, adding that out of them 11 were installed on routs of the Muharram-ul-Haram related processions. He said that 30 cases out of 44 in connection with terrorism had been partially or completely worked out. He said that 40 offenders were wanted in these cases.
The News
Canadian Investment Supports Post-Combat Development in Afghanistan
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today hailed a Canadian company’s winning bid for an important iron-ore mining contract in Afghanistan.
Kilo Goldmines, a Toronto-based company, has been awarded one of the four concession blocks of the Hajigak iron-ore deposit in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, as announced by the Afghan Ministry of Mines.
This major step forward in Afghanistan’s extractive industry development will help generate much-needed revenues and jobs, contributing to Afghan livelihoods and to the sustainability of the country’s economy.
“Afghanistan is blessed with vast natural resources, but its human history has sadly prevented it from turning that potential into prosperity,” said Minister Baird. “Canada will continue to support Afghanistan’s ambitions to develop its economy and become a regional hub for the trade and transit of goods and energy, to secure its territory, and to build a brighter future for the Afghan people.”
“Canada is strongly committed to helping Afghans rebuild their country, and this investment by Kilo Goldmines will create jobs and prosperity for Afghans and Canadians alike,” said Minister Fast. “As the first significant engagement of a Western firm in the Afghan mining sector, this project will enable hard-working Canadians from Canada’s world-class mining sector to help Afghanistan develop its mining infrastructure, which will lead to further growth and opportunities in both the Afghan and Canadian economies.”
Minister Baird will attend the International Conference on Afghanistan in Germany this week. For photos, audio and video, please visit Minister Baird Attends Security and Prosperity Conferences.
ISRIA
Kilo Goldmines, a Toronto-based company, has been awarded one of the four concession blocks of the Hajigak iron-ore deposit in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, as announced by the Afghan Ministry of Mines.
This major step forward in Afghanistan’s extractive industry development will help generate much-needed revenues and jobs, contributing to Afghan livelihoods and to the sustainability of the country’s economy.
“Afghanistan is blessed with vast natural resources, but its human history has sadly prevented it from turning that potential into prosperity,” said Minister Baird. “Canada will continue to support Afghanistan’s ambitions to develop its economy and become a regional hub for the trade and transit of goods and energy, to secure its territory, and to build a brighter future for the Afghan people.”
“Canada is strongly committed to helping Afghans rebuild their country, and this investment by Kilo Goldmines will create jobs and prosperity for Afghans and Canadians alike,” said Minister Fast. “As the first significant engagement of a Western firm in the Afghan mining sector, this project will enable hard-working Canadians from Canada’s world-class mining sector to help Afghanistan develop its mining infrastructure, which will lead to further growth and opportunities in both the Afghan and Canadian economies.”
Minister Baird will attend the International Conference on Afghanistan in Germany this week. For photos, audio and video, please visit Minister Baird Attends Security and Prosperity Conferences.
ISRIA
Emergency declared at hospitals for Ashura
QUETTA: Emergency has been declared at different hospitals in Quetta city for Ashura Day and all facilities have been made available.
More than 100 ambulances would remain present at different points and doctors and paramedical staff would be available at the hospitals round the clock.
This was stated by Provincial Secretary Health Asmatullah Kakar while speaking to Newsmen here Sunday.
He said on the special directives of Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani steps have been taken to ensure presence of doctors and staff at the hospitals. Doctors showing negligence would be dismissed form service he added.
He said emergency wards have been established at civil hospital, BMC hospital and others with 100 beds each. He said medical equipment have also been provided at the hospitals and Medical Superintendents would monitor them.
He asked the people to cooperate with the hospital administration on Ashura day. (PPI)
The News
More than 100 ambulances would remain present at different points and doctors and paramedical staff would be available at the hospitals round the clock.
This was stated by Provincial Secretary Health Asmatullah Kakar while speaking to Newsmen here Sunday.
He said on the special directives of Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani steps have been taken to ensure presence of doctors and staff at the hospitals. Doctors showing negligence would be dismissed form service he added.
He said emergency wards have been established at civil hospital, BMC hospital and others with 100 beds each. He said medical equipment have also been provided at the hospitals and Medical Superintendents would monitor them.
He asked the people to cooperate with the hospital administration on Ashura day. (PPI)
The News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)