Zan News: In two separate traffic accidents in the provinces of Ghazni and Ghor, at least six people have lost their lives, and 22 others have been injured. Social Media Traffic Accidents in Ghazni and Ghor: 6 Dead, 22 Injured August 20, 2024 Zan News Zan News: In two separate traffic accidents in the provinces of Ghazni and Ghor, at least six people have lost their lives, and 22 others have been injured. The Taliban's police command in Ghazni reports that in a traffic accident in the "Jaghatu" district of this province, two children were killed and eight others were injured. According to the command, this accident occurred on Monday (August 19th) in the "Sarab" area of Jaghatu district when a tractor overturned. It is reported that the tractor driver was attempting to move his family from one area to another. Five women were also injured in the incident. The exact cause of the accident is still unclear. Meanwhile, in another incident, a passenger vehicle overturned in the Lal wa Sarjangal district of Ghor province, resulting in the death of four people and injuries to 14 others. According to a statement from the Taliban's police command in Ghor, this accident occurred at noon yesterday in the village of "Sefid Cheshmeh" in Lal wa Sarjangal district. The passengers in the vehicle were members of the same family, and women and children are among the victims. The health condition of seven of the injured is reported to be critical, and they have been transferred to the provincial hospital in Ghor. The cause of the accident has been attributed to technical issues. It is worth noting that traffic accidents in Afghanistan claim hundreds of lives and leave hundreds injured annually. The main causes of these accidents are driver negligence, poor road conditions, and failure to adhere to traffic regulations.

Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that six individuals, including a woman, were flogged in Kapisa province on charges of extramarital relations and "sodomy." Taliban Flog Six People, Including a Woman, in Kapisa March 11, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that six individuals, including a woman, were flogged in Kapisa province on charges of extramarital relations and "sodomy." In a statement on Tuesday (March 11), the court said that these individuals were punished in Hesa Duwum district of Kapisa. According to the court’s statement, one of the accused was sentenced to 10 months in prison, while another received an 8-month prison sentence along with 20 to 35 lashes. Additionally, two others were each sentenced to two years in prison and 39 lashes, while the remaining two were sentenced to one year in prison and 15 to 35 lashes. Despite widespread international condemnation, the Taliban continue to conduct public punishments and desert trials.

Zan News: Members of the Purple Saturdays Movement held a gathering on the night of Friday (December 20) in the provinces of Takhar and Balkh to celebrate Yalda Night. In this gathering, they emphasized that the Taliban’s ban on celebrating Yalda Night is a clear violation of cultural rights and freedoms and a denial of the national identity of the people of Afghanistan. Sent to Zan TV Purple Saturdays Movement: The Taliban, by Violating Cultural Freedoms, Are Trying to Turn Afghanistan into a Dark Graveyard December 21, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Members of the Purple Saturdays Movement held a gathering on the night of Friday (December 20) in the provinces of Takhar and Balkh to celebrate Yalda Night. In this gathering, they emphasized that the Taliban’s ban on celebrating Yalda Night is a clear violation of cultural rights and freedoms and a denial of the national identity of the people of Afghanistan. In a statement released by the Purple Saturdays Movement, it was mentioned that the Taliban had banned ancient celebrations like Yalda Night and Nowruz during their first period of rule. Now, for the third consecutive year, the group continues to ban these national and cultural traditions of Afghanistan, people forcing to celebrate this night under "difficult conditions and with fear of repression." The Purple Saturdays Movement further stated that this ban not only suppresses a national celebration and violates the cultural rights and fundamental freedoms of the people but also represents a form of "cultural apartheid," aimed at destroying Afghanistan's cultural heritage and weakening the national identity of the people. This action may also lead to the erasure of cultural diversity and the creation of a unified society with the "ideology" of the Taliban. The movement added that this Taliban policy "poses a risk of forgetting many cultural elements and weakening the national identity of the Afghan people, while on the other hand, it leads to the erosion of national solidarity and increases the flight of cultural elites from the country, which will more than ever cause irreparable damage to Afghanistan’s cultural diversity." The movement also pointed to UNESCO’s silence regarding the Taliban’s actions and emphasized: "UNESCO, which has listed Yalda Night as a shared cultural heritage of Afghanistan and Iran in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has a responsibility to respond seriously to the Taliban's actions. However, no practical and effective measures have been taken in this regard, and it has only issued statements, which have undoubtedly been insufficient and ineffective, leaving the people of Afghanistan to pay the price for this silence and inaction through increasing repression." The Purple Saturdays Movement further stated that the Taliban, by violating the cultural rights and freedoms of the citizens of Afghanistan, are trying to turn the country into "a dark graveyard where the voice of reason, culture, and joy is fading." The movement criticized the international community and the United Nations, saying: "Despite having effective diplomatic and political tools to exert pressure on this group, the international community and the United Nations have, through indirect support for the Taliban under the guise of engagement, increased the normalization of repression of the basic and cultural rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens." The movement expressed deep concern about the systematic and "planned" restriction of the cultural rights and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan by the Taliban, stressing that these actions could lead to the destruction of cultural diversity, the extinction of cultural heritage, the suspension or reduction of the transfer of this heritage to future generations, and the strengthening of "Taliban ideology" alongside the promotion of violence. The movement emphasized that halting the violation of Afghanistan’s cultural rights and freedoms requires serious diplomatic and political measures from the international community and the United Nations, as "silence and inaction in the face of such gross human rights violations amounts to a betrayal of shared human and humanitarian values." The movement also clarified that celebrating events like Yalda Night is not just a cultural celebration, but a symbol of "resistance against the Taliban" and the fight for the cultural rights and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan.

Zan News: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that it requires a budget of $279.7 million to provide health services in Afghanistan. Photo: OCHA/Sayed Habib Bidel OCHA Needs $279.7 Million to Provide Health Services in Afghanistan January 15, 2025 Zan News Zan News: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that it requires a budget of $279.7 million to provide health services in Afghanistan. OCHA stated in a post on Tuesday (14 January) on X that it is estimated that in 2025, 14.3 million people in Afghanistan will require health services. Of these, it is anticipated that 9.3 million people will be covered by aid. According to the organization, 53% of those in need of health services are women, while the rest include children and people with disabilities. OCHA also mentioned that in total, 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will need humanitarian assistance in 2025, and to meet these needs, a budget of $2.24 billion is required. This comes at a time when OCHA had requested a budget of $3.06 billion for assistance to the people of Afghanistan for the year 2024. However, according to recent United Nations reports, only 40% of this amount has been secured.

Zan News: Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, has stated that he discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMA. Social Media Pakistan's Special Representative Meets Roza Otunbayeva and Tarig Ali Bakheet at Girls' Education Conference January 12, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, has stated that he discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMA. This meeting took place on Saturday (January 11) on the sidelines of the international conference titled "Girls' Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities," which is being held in Islamabad. Mohammad Sadiq wrote on his X page: "We had fruitful discussions regarding the current situation in Afghanistan and the international community's efforts concerning the humanitarian needs of the country." The Special Representative of Pakistan also met with Tarig Ali Bakheet, the OIC Special Representative for Afghanistan. During this meeting, discussions took place on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the humanitarian situation in the country. It is worth noting that the international conference on girls' education in Muslim societies, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of educating girls, began on Saturday in Islamabad and is continuing today. Given the ban on girls' education above the sixth grade in Afghanistan by the Taliban, some of the participants at this conference have stated that they will discuss this issue and demand accountability from the Taliban regarding this matter. This conference is being held at a time when, since returning to power, the Taliban has banned girls' education beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan—an action that has been widely condemned by the international community.

Zan News: Karen Decker, the US Chargé d'Affaires for Afghanistan, says that education is a fundamental human right for everyone, but unfortunately, in Afghanistan, half of the population is deprived of this basic human right. Image: Khaama Press U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires: Half of Afghanistan’s Population Deprived of Human Rights September 26, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Karen Decker, the US Chargé d'Affaires for Afghanistan, says that education is a fundamental human right for everyone, but unfortunately, in Afghanistan, half of the population is deprived of this basic human right. In a statement released on Wednesday (September 25), Ms. Decker emphasized that the United States stands with Afghan women and girls who are deprived of education. She announced her trip to New York and added that she had productive meetings regarding support for Afghan women. The US Chargé d'Affaires also emphasized that the United States, in cooperation with international partners, including Qatar, is working to provide educational opportunities for Afghan women and girls who are unable to study in their own country. Ms. Decker stated that international attention is focused on Afghanistan these days, with a strong focus on human rights and Afghan women and girls, as well as on education. She also mentioned her meetings in New York, including a meeting with Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Rina Amiri, the US Special Envoy for Afghan Women and Girls. These remarks come as the Taliban, after returning to power in Afghanistan, have banned girls above the sixth grade from education and subsequently barred female students from attending universities and private educational institutions. This ban has prevented millions of female students from receiving an education. In addition, the United Nations and the international community have repeatedly called for the lifting of the ban on the right of girls and women to education in Afghanistan over the past three years, but the Taliban have so far ignored these demands.

Zan News: A traffic accident in the Shebar district of Bamyan province has resulted in the deaths of three men and two women, with two others injured. Social Media Five, Including Two Women, Killed in Bamyan Traffic Accident August 3, 2024 Zan News Zan News: A traffic accident in the Shebar district of Bamyan province has resulted in the deaths of three men and two women, with two others injured. According to a statement from the Taliban governor's office in Bamyan, the accident occurred around 10:30 AM on Friday (August 2) in the "Paymuri" area of Shebar district. The statement reported that a "Corolla" car traveling from Kabul to Punjab district in Bamyan collided with a cargo truck. As a result, five passengers were killed, and a teenager and a child were injured. The injured teenager is reported to be in critical condition. It is noteworthy that traffic accidents have been on the rise in various parts of the country recently. Two days ago, a traffic accident in Kapisa province resulted in the deaths of three women and two men, with three others injured. Poor road conditions, driver carelessness, and lack of traffic signs are among the main causes of traffic accidents in the country.

Zan News: On the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, the Afghanistan Powerful Women's Movement issued a statement expressing deep concern over the situation of Afghan refugee women in Pakistan and calling for an immediate halt to their forced deportation. The movement has urged the international community and international institutions to take urgent action to support these women. Afghanistan Powerful Women's Movement Demands an End to the Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugee Women from Pakistan" March 3, 2025 Zan News Zan News: On the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, the Afghanistan Powerful Women's Movement issued a statement expressing deep concern over the situation of Afghan refugee women in Pakistan and calling for an immediate halt to their forced deportation. The movement has urged the international community and international institutions to take urgent action to support these women. In its statement, published on Monday (3 March), the movement emphasized that while the world celebrates International Women's Day as a symbol of equality, freedom, and justice, Afghan women are facing enormous challenges. The statement noted that many of these women, compelled to flee Afghanistan due to the repressive policies of the Taliban, are now facing the threat of deportation in Pakistan. Members of this movement also, in a video released simultaneously with their statement, staged a protest showcasing the Taliban's treatment of women and the restrictions imposed by the group. The statement added: "We express our deep concern over the condition of Afghan refugee women who left Afghanistan in search of safety and a better life. Forcing these women to return to a country where they have been deprived of their fundamental rights—such as education, employment, and social freedoms—could endanger their lives and future." The Afghanistan Powerful Women's Movement has called on the Pakistani government to consider humanitarian concerns in its decision-making and to create conditions that allow these women to live in security. Additionally, they have requested the United Nations, human rights organizations, and host countries to take practical measures to prevent the forced deportation of these women and to provide the necessary support.

Zan News: A 10-year-old child lost his life due to the explosion of a leftover mortar shell from past wars in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province. Explosion of a Mortar Shell in Ghazni Claims the Life of a 10-Year-Old Child July 20, 2024 Zan News Zan News: A 10-year-old child lost his life due to the explosion of a leftover mortar shell from past wars in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province. Hamidullah Nisar, the Taliban's head of information and culture in Ghazni, said in a conversation with the media that on Saturday morning (July 20), a 10-year-old child was killed by the explosion of a mortar shell while herding livestock in the village of "Maluk" in the Qarabagh district. According to Nisar, the explosion occurred when the child found the mortar shell and started playing with it. He added that this is not the first time a mortar shell has exploded in the Qarabagh district; similar incidents have happened before in this district. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan is one of the most contaminated countries with unexploded ordnance, which periodically claims the lives of its citizens, especially children. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan previously reported that 60 people, mostly children, are killed or disabled each month due to explosions of leftover landmines in Afghanistan. According to the latest reports, nearly 606 square kilometers of Afghan soil are contaminated with landmines and explosive ordnance.

Zan News - Paktia: Local sources in Paktia have reported that a 12-year-old boy in this province has committed suicide. Social Media A 12-Year-Old Boy Commits Suicide in Paktia Due to Family Problems July 23, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Paktia: Local sources in Paktia have reported that a 12-year-old boy in this province has committed suicide. According to the sources, the child hanged himself on yesterday morning (July 22) in the village of "Ali Khan Khel" in Zormat district of Paktia province. The Taliban's police command in Paktia also confirmed this incident in a statement and cited family problems as the reason for the child's suicide. It is worth noting that the increasing suicide rates in Afghanistan in recent months are concerning. Various factors such as poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, family issues, and domestic violence contribute to this issue.