Afghanistan gets over $760 mn in cash aid to fight poverty, food shortage

 The aim of the international aid has been to prevent widespread poverty and food shortages in the country hit by a devastating humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover in August last yeara

Afghanistan has received over USD 760 million in cash as humanitarian assistance from the international community, the country’s central bank informed, adding that the money donated is beneficial in maintaining the value of the Afghan currency. “In total, USD 761.6 million has been delivered. This aid preserves the value of the Afghani,” Saber Momand, Da Afghanistan Bank’s (Central Bank of Afghanistan) spokesperson was quoted as saying by Tolo News.

The aim of the international aid has been to prevent widespread poverty and food shortages in the country hit by a devastating humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover in August last year.However, some locals allege that the aid is not being donated in a fair manner, Tolo News reported. “Donations come but they do not give it to us. There are representatives of the people in our area who say that if you share fifty per cent of the aid with us, I will put your name on the list. If you do not, I will not take your name,” Mirajan, a worker was quoted as saying.

Taliban allows girls in Afghanistan to return to high schools from today

 The Taliban has allowed girls to return to high schools from Wednesday, ending the uncertainty over whether the Islamic group would allow full access to education for girls.

The Taliban has allowed girls to return to high schools from Wednesday, ending the uncertainty over whether the Islamic group would allow full access to education for girls. Teenage girls across will return to their classrooms after being banned after the Islamic outfit sized power last August. Since taking power, the Taliban have rolled back women’s rights in virtually every area, including crushing women’s freedom of movement.

The vast majority of girls’ secondary schools were closed. Universities recently reopened, with new gender segregation rules. But many women are unable to return, in part because the career they studied for is off limits now as the Taliban banned women from most jobs. “Critical period ahead for Afghanistan as school and colleges soon re-open after winter break. UNAMA conducted a discussion on Higher Education yesterday with Mawlawi Abdul Baqi Haqqani. Importance of equal access to quality education for all & guarantees for academic freedom was stressed,” the UN Mission in Afghanistan said in a tweet…

Pakistan set to unveil its first-ever National Security Policy today

 Pakistan is set to announce its first-ever National Security Policy on Monday, which would cover all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan

Pakistan is set to announce its first-ever National Security Policy on Monday, which would cover all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the neighbourhood. This announcement will be made at a meeting of top civilian and military leadership of the country, Dawn newspaper reported.

On Sunday, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced that Imran Khan had summoned a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to review the country’s first-ever national security policy on December 27. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has convened a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow, in which the first national security policy in the history of the country will be presented for approval,” the Pak minister had said in a tweet.

Over 6,400 Afghan journalists lost jobs since Taliban takeover: Survey

 More than 6,400 journalists in Afghanistan have lost their jobs since the Taliban takeover of the country, according to a recent survey.

More than 6,400 journalists in Afghanistan have lost their jobs since the Taliban takeover of the country, according to a recent survey.The survey conducted by non-profit organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) shows a radical change in the Afghan media landscape since the Taliban took power. As many as 231 media outlets have had to close.

The Taliban takeover’s impact on Afghanistan’s media has been dramatic, according to the survey by RSF and its local partner, the AIJA.More than four out of every ten media outlets have disappeared and 60 percent of journalists and media employees are no longer able to work.The hardest hit among all are women journalists as 80 percent of them have lost their jobs since Taliban took control of Kabul…