News

KABUL - As the campaign period for the 20 August elections kicked off last week, Kabul-based newspapers called on candidates to ensure a peaceful campaign period by unveiling their platforms instead of hitting each other. “We…

20 June 2009 - It’s not an easy job being Sidiqullah Tauhidi these days - as head of Afghanistan’s Media Commission he’s been clocking up the miles, flying from one city to another. Along with his four fellow committee…

KABUL - For decades Afghans made up the world’s largest refugee population with up to eight million living outside Afghanistan. Since 2002 more than 4.36 million have come back to Afghanistan with the assistance of the United…

KABUL - Large billboards, posters and all kinds of publicity materials are starting to decorate the famous corners of the streets of Kabul as the elections race gets underway. The official campaign period for Afghanistan’s…

KABUL - The curtains open to applause, giving way to 10 musicians performing, ostensibly, at a wedding. The men and women, all European one judges by their accents, sport salt-and-pepper wigs, glasses with black rims and, for…

KABUL - “I appeal to candidates to campaign with dignity and fairness. It is the shared responsibility of all candidates to ensure that these elections strengthen Afghanistan’s democratic institutions and people’s confidence…

KABUL - Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission has announced the final list of candidates for the presidential and provincial council elections due to be held on 20 August. Election Commission President Azizullah Lodin…

KABUL - Across Afghanistan a huge outreach programme is moving up a gear as hundreds of thousands of people start to hear about the forthcoming elections. The north east of the country, which includes the provinces of Kunduz…

KABUL - Until two years ago, Lona, a widow and mother of two, had no job, couldn’t send her daughter to school and had difficulties to make her ends meet. To add insult to injury, following her husband’s death, her in-laws…

KABUL - The public awareness campaign for the forthcoming elections is continuing in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and in the surrounding districts. One man carrying out the huge awareness programme is Mohammad Gharanay, 54…

KABUL - A major cultural and demining operation is taking place to protect ancient archaeological sites in Afghanistan’s historical province of Bamyan. The UN’s cultural organisation (UNESCO) and the Mine Action Coordination…

KABUL - Nafissa, a 13-year-old Afghani girl, should ideally be spending her day playing with her friends, toys and dolls like most kids her age. Instead, she works at Torkham border, her back, now, bent from carrying the…