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Afghanistan: Past and today

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What was being feared just happened soon after the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, but the speed at which it all occurred was beyond anyone's imagination.

Imran Yaqub Khan Profile Imran Yaqub Khan

US President Joe Biden announced in April that the withdrawal of the US troops would begin on May 1 and would be completed by September- the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The announcement sparked a debate over whether the Afghan forces were capable of stopping any possible aggression and fighting by the Taliban. A majority of US defense officials, intelligence reports, defense analysts and security experts agreed that the Ashraf Ghani's government could be overthrown after the withdrawal of the US troops.

The Taliban began advancing in various parts of Afghanistan in May after President Biden's announcement. Fighting also broke out on various fronts in June. On July 2, US forces secretly evacuated Bagram's largest military base. In August, the Taliban advanced rapidly and finally reached Kabul on August 15.

Now if you look at the Afghanistan’s map, in it, except for the Panjshir Valley, virtually all of Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban. This includes the main city of Mazar-e-Sharif, which is now under Taliban control. It’s important to mention this city because it was a symbol of resistance even during the previous Taliban regime and the Taliban were not able to establish their presence here. The speed with which the Taliban reached Kabul and didn’t encounter any resistance in a city like Mazar-e-Sharif is noteworthy.

A question also arises as to why the Afghan forces did not resist the Taliban. Wherever the Taliban came, Afghan forces surrendered and retreated. This process of the Afghan forces was initially interpreted by some friends as a war strategy. President Ashraf Ghani also made harsh statements in the beginning. As the Taliban approached Kabul, Ashraf Ghani's tone changed, but he was slow to agree to talks.

The Taliban have demanded from the beginning that Ashraf Ghani resign from the presidency of Afghanistan so that talks can take place. When the Taliban arrived at the gates of Kabul on Sunday, August 15, it was Ashraf Ghani who fled the country. According to the Russia’s embassy, ​​Ashraf Ghani fled the country with a large sum of money in the form of dollars. The Taliban call the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan a victory for their political, military and moral position. Ashraf Ghani's escape from the country has also put him in a strong position.

Let us return to the question of why the Afghan forces surrendered and why they did not resist. After the Taliban's arrival in Kabul, it became clear that the retreat of Afghan forces was not a tactic of any kind, but it can be said that an army that does not have political and public support does not have the fighting spirit Can do Perhaps the same thing happened with the Afghan forces. No definite opinion can be formed as to how popular the army was at the public level, but it can be said that the political leadership failed to arouse in the army the spirit of defending its cities.

With the advance of the Taliban, the anti-Pakistan circles in Afghanistan and India kept trying hard to bring down the wreckage of this situation on Pakistan. The market for rhetoric and gossip on traditional media and social media remained hot. Pakistan was shown to be involved in a conflict in which its role was nothing more than a responsible neighbor.

In the end, it became as clear as day. Meanwhile, some quarters have also questioned US and NATO military assistance and training for Afghanistan, but trainers of Afghan forces appear to be standing aside, shaking their hands and clothes as the Taliban arrive in Kabul. US President Joe Biden is also surprised by the speed with which the Taliban overthrew the Afghan government, but he is justifying his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

In his policy statement, he made it clear to the world that "we are not ashamed of the decision to end the war in Afghanistan. If Afghan forces do not want to fight, the US military can do nothing for them. Can give training and money, not the spirit of fighting. Ashraf Ghani was advised to negotiate with the Taliban, he said, adding that Afghan forces would fight. In difficult circumstances, the Afghan leadership fled the country. "

The US president also warned the Taliban that they would retaliate if the Taliban attacked US interests. Although US President Joe Biden stands by his decision, his July 8 statement is significant in light of the surprise he described. Biden's remarks have graced social media and traditional media since the Taliban entered Kabul. In his statement, the US president expressed great confidence in the capabilities of the Afghan forces and insisted that the Afghan forces would stand firm against the Taliban and defend their country.

In the same statement, the US President also said that Afghanistan is not Vietnam and the scenes of helicopters landing at the embassy here will not be repeated, but the world has seen how history has repeated itself. The good news about the Taliban's journey to Kabul was that there was no large-scale bloodshed. The peace-loving Afghan people and their representatives now have to decide their own future. The outlines of how to walk the path of peace and how to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan are not yet clear.

From Doha, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has arrived in Afghanistan with senior Taliban leadership and Afghan Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has also surfaced. At a press conference in Kabul, Mujahid formally declared a ceasefire and a general amnesty for former Afghan soldiers and aides to foreign forces. He assured that women would be given full rights in the light of Islamic teachings.

About the formation of new government, Mujahid said the consultations are underway and an announcement will be made soon. What will be the flag of Afghanistan will be decided soon, he further said. Zabihullah Mujahid assured the int’l community that Afghan soil would not be used against anyone. He also assured security to all embassies, international organizations, organizations and foreigners.

The statement of the Taliban’s spokesman is very encouraging, but it’s necessary to wait a few days for the situation to change!

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Pakistan

Maryam orders essential measures for land records digitisation

The government will declare all clear properties ‘green’. The land with issues will be declared ‘yellow’ and ‘red’

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Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Saturday directed to take necessary steps for land record digitisation.

A special meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding Board of Revenue Reforms in which Punjab Urban Land Systems in Enhancement (PULSE) project was briefed. Punjab Land Record Authority and Management of State Land also briefed on business plan issues.

During the briefing, it was informed that digitisation of land records is being done under the PULSE project with the support of World Bank. The honor-based digitization of all places of Punjab will be done. The revenue system will be made transparent through partition of land and parcel documents.

It was said in the meeting that the government will declare all clear properties ‘green’. The land with issues will be declared ‘yellow’ and ‘red’. The proposal to end the joint account system will be seriously reviewed, getting a separate property number for each buyer will reduce legal complications.

In the briefing, it was stated that the system of individual ownership and transfer of land will also be simplified by digitalization. The overview of Overseas Property Transfer Service for Overseas Pakistanis, Overseas Property Transfer Service is providing facility of personalization, mutation, e-filing and registration.

On this occasion, Chief Minister directed to take necessary steps for digitization and ordered to ensure the participation of relevant departments in the process.

Information Minister Azma Bokhari, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, SMU Head and other officials attended the meeting.

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Cipher Case: Appeals against Imran, Shah's sentence set for hearing

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb will hear the case on May 21

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Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Saturday fixed the appeals against the conviction of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case for hearing.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb will hold the hearing on May 21.

It is pertinent to note that the hearing could not be held on May 15 due to the cancelation of the cause list of the Chief Justice's court. It is likely that the arguments of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Special Prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah will be completed at the next hearing.

After the prosecutor's arguments are completed, the founder PTI's lawyers will give their arguments.

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Central Working Committee meeting of PML-N today

The meeting will be organized at 2:00pm at the party secretariat in Model Town

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Lahore: The meeting of the Central Working Committee of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will be held today (Saturday).

The meeting will be organized at 2:00pm at the party secretariat in Model Town, in which Mian Nawaz Sharif will be nominated as acting president.

According to party officials, senior members of the party will present a resolution to appoint Nawaz Sharif the acting president of the party as a proposal and supporter.

The general council meeting will be held on May 28, in which the election commission members will be nominated for the election of the new party president and the election schedule will also be released.

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