Sri Lanka’s main opposition parties are withholding support for the amendments, saying they do not stop the arbitrary arrest of dissidents. The Parliament of Sri Lanka has amended controversial “anti-terror” legislation after a European Union threat to withdraw lucrative trading status, but opposition lawmakers said the changes would not stop abuses under the law. The EU last year warned that […]

For the first times in the last four decades, there is no conflict in Afghanistan, says the Pakistani prime minister. Addressing the inaugural session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Islamabad, Imran Khan called the Afghans the longest-suffering people. In his keynote address on Tuesday, Khan said: “The only danger now is through sanctions and non-recognition, which […]

China has pledged all possible cooperation with efforts for peace, development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wangi Yi held out the promise while speaking at the inaugural session of the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Islamabad. “China stands ready for cooperation with the Islamic world,” he said, signaling Beijing’s readiness to work for regional […]

Pakistan has reaffirmed its consistent support for efforts for sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the provision of humanitarian assistance to it. At a meeting with Tajikistan’s foreign minister, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said lasting stability in Afghanistan was vital to regional prosperity. Neighbouring countries could play a key role in stabilising Afghanistan, he believed, saying a peaceful, stable, prosperous […]

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that after 40 years of war, Afghanistan has a real chance of attaining peace and security and that members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must act to prevent a crisis in the country. In an article for Arab News, Imran Khan said: “After 40 years, there is a real opportunity to […]

Pakistan’s parliament will convene on Friday to take up a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the lower house speaker’s office said on Sunday, in what shapes up as his toughest test since coming to power in 2018. An alliance of opposition parties filed the motion against Khan this month, saying he had lost his parliamentary majority after over […]

As the solar year 1400 comes to an end, Ariana News looks back at major security developments that took place in the country over the last 12 months. Early in the year, fighting in Afghanistan escalated as foreign troops worked towards an end-August withdrawal date following the 2020 deal between the United States and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). […]

Pakistan says it will recognise the Taliban government when a regional consensus emerges on the issue. Pakistan’s UN envoy Munir Akram said this after the Security Council voted to establish formal ties with Afghanistan without recognising the Islamic Emirate. The resolution drew overwhelming support from the powerful UN council, with 14 members voted for the resolution and Russia abstaining. Seeking […]

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a year till March 17, 2023, according to a media report on Friday. Resolution 2626 decides that UNAMA and the UN Secretary-General’s special representative will continue to carry out their mandate in support of the people of Afghanistan, in […]

The interim government in Afghanistan formed a commission Wednesday to encourage Afghans living outside the country to return home. Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) said the commission will be headed by Interim Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar. The Repatriation and Relationship of Afghan Personalities’ commission “will liaise with Afghans who have left […]