‘Taliban Must Be Held Responsible for Killings’: Zuhair December 26,2020
KABUL - The Taliban, merely by denying their involvement in the recent targeted killings, must not be absolved from such acts, said Tahir Zuhair, the Afghan acting minister of Information and Culture. Zuhair said that the continued targeted killings of Afghan journalists is severely impacting the status of press freedom in Afghanistan, and he called on the Ministry of Interior to define a new security strategy to help ensure security and safety for media workers and journalists. “Whether the Taliban accepts it or not, they are responsible for all such acts of violence that happen in Afghanistan,” said Zuhair.
Taliban Must be Held Responsible for Killings : Zuhair
The Taliban, merely by denying their involvement in the recent targeted killings, must not be absolved from such acts, said Tahir Zuhair, the Afghan acting minister of Information and Culture.
Zuhair said that the continued targeted killings of Afghan journalists is severely impacting the status of press freedom in Afghanistan, and he called on the Ministry of Interior to define a new security strategy to help ensure security and safety for media workers and journalists.
“Whether the Taliban accepts it or not, they are responsible for all such acts of violence that happen in Afghanistan,” said Zuhair.
Govt Accused of Double Standards for Voted-Out Caretakers
The government on Tuesday was criticized by lawyers and watchdog organizations for allowing the four voted-out ministers and the acting Central Bank chief to continue their work as caretakers, saying the government is applying a double standard in this situation.
The critics also said that allowing the acting ministers and bank chief to continue working violates the country’s Constitution.
Central Bank acting governor Ajmal Ahmadi, acting education minister Rangina Hamidi, acting minister of rural rehabilitation Mujib Rahman Karimi, information and culture minister Tahir Zuhair, and women’s affairs nominee Hasina Safi are the voted-out officials in question.
978 Artifacts Intercepted at Airport Given to National Museum
The customs office of Hamid Karzai International Airport said that 978 artifacts that were intercepted at the Kabul airport and prevented from being smuggled abroad were handed over to the National Museum on Sunday.
The artifacts were recovered during searches from passengers, said Shams-Ul-Ahad Alokozai, the head of the customs office of the airport.
“The support for local industries as well as the prevention of artifact smuggling is a responsibility of the customs office,” said Alokozai.
The artifacts included necklaces, dishes, guns, knives and others items.
Meanwhile, an artifact made of a marked marble stone that dates back three centuries was also handed over to the museum. The design on it is from the Timurids miniatures era.
Voted-Out Caretakers Remain at Posts Despite Criticism
The four acting ministers and the acting chief of the Central Bank all of whom failed to get enough confirmation votes at an assembly of the Afghan parliament earlier this month all faced criticism by lawmakers and law experts who say that caretakers cannot continue their work if the parliament rejects them.
Those in question are Central Bank acting governor Ajmal Ahmadi, acting education minister Rangina Hamidi, Mujib Rahman Karimi as acting minister of Rural rehabilitation, information and culture minister Tahir Zuhair, and women’s affairs nominee Hasina Safi.
According to caretakers’ law, acting officials can work for two months in a post.