(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News)
KABUL (Pajhwok): According to political experts security situation in solar year 1401 improved, economy witnessed stability to some extent, handing over some embassies to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) was a positive move but continue ban on women education and work was disappointing.
Monday market the last day of solar year 1401, how was this year for Afghanistan and what important events happened? Experts have shared their views here.
In this report the views of expert personalities regarding different events the field economic, political, security, social and media in the past one year had been taken and disseminated.
Politics and International Relations:
After one and half year of the IEA takeover no country in the world had recongnised the acting Afghan government, but it managed to establish formal diplomatic ties with some countries which reflected upon recognition one way or the other.
Political Affairs Expert Wali Farozan while referring to Afghanistan's political isolation in 1401 said handing over Afghanistan's embassies to the representatives of the IEA in Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, UAE and Pakistan were good news for the acting government.
He, however, said the IEA should get a domestic legitimacy before international recognition and in the second step IEA should acknowledge the legitimate demands of the international community, including allowing women and girls to go to school.
According to Farozan, the extension of UNAMA mandate was an important development for Afghanistan in 1401.
Security and Crimes:
Asadullah Nadim, a military affairs expert, said security situation under the IEA improved comparing to the past years, adding that the level of crimes had declined because there was no major fighting front or any terrorist threat.
He, however, said individual and social security situation deteriorated this year and people did not felt themselves secured.
He stressed for durable stability and security the IEA should secure local and international legitimacy and adopt a moderate policy when it comes to the treatment of all tribes, sects and genders.
He said the killing of Alqaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahari in US drone strike and the killing of Balkh governor were major incidents that happened.
Economy:
According to Economic Affairs Expert Walli Farozan, after the takeover of the IEA there was threat for complete economic downfall but in 1401 economic situation stabled to some extend as a result of growing trade and some traded agreements with neighboring nations which helped stabilized the economy.
Another Economic Affairs Expert Abdul Naseer Reshtya said besides the halt of international support and freezing of reserves the country's revenue remained high and the economic situation were moving towards betterment.
He said:“One of the major developments that happened in 1401 was the tendency to invest in Afghanistan was more and the reason is the provision of security which encouraged more people to invest... Fortunately the government's attention was towards attracting investment and excavation of coal and other precious stones which itself attracted investment and generated jobs.”
He also hailed the continuation of humanitarian assistance and added it remained helpful in the stabilization of Afghani currency.
“We need the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to try to interact with the world so that on the one hand we can witness the resumption of economic aid and humanitarian aid and on the other hand we can increase our relations with the world and explore market for domestic products. This is the time when we can solve our political problems with the world,” he said.
Jannat Fahim Chakari, another economic affairs expert, said in 1401 Afghanistan faced economic sanctions and its reserved remained frozen.
He added around five billion dollar of humanitarian aid provided to Afghanistan which helped fight poverty and stabilize Afghani.
Referring to the poverty figures in Afghanistan, he said poverty remained the biggest challenge which caused more migration.
He said during 1401 the IEA government inked 189 mining contracts with different companies. The inking of Kabul Airport Contract with the UAE company and the Qoush Tapa Cannal contracts were the most import projects.
Education and Society:
Another major issue last year was the closure of universities on women till the next order and also barring women from working in the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO). These two decisions of the IEA sparked domestic and international reaction.
People inside and outside the country staged protests and world countries demanded the lifting of these curbs.
According to Farozan the new solar year started as schools and universities remained closed on girls, adding that last year was disappointed when decree to ban women work was issued.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has recently stated that it would send a delegation of international Islamic scholars to Afghanistan for talks with the IEA officials on women and girls education and work.
Saleh Sadar, an Islamic affairs expert, said Islam has positive view regarding women education and their presence in society adding there is no difference between men and women when it comes to the right of education in Islam.
He said there would be issue related to suitable environment for women and girls education but it should be resolved and women and girls should not be deprived of education in the new year.
The IEA often pledged the provision of women education and their rights in the frame work of Islamic Shari Law.
Media condition:
Media Affairs Expert Abu Zar Sarim Sar-i-Pulli, said in the start of 1401 there were some problems media offices were closed and opened, journalists were detained, access to information was difficult and there were financial crisis as well.
He, however, said after the half of last year situation changed and for the first time the Afghanistan Media Federation, media and journalist institutions were created and formally approved. The Media Violation Commission, the Copy Right Commission were reorgannised under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Cultural Affairs (MoICA).
He said:“Twenty-one print and electronic media outlets incepted, 11 media institutions founded among them was the Women Journalist Association also created that attracted local and international attention.”
Pajhwok Afghan News strived to get the IEA officials viewpoint as well but they were not reached for comment.
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