http://www.bamdad.af/ en Copyright 2013 news Bamdad News - Afghanistan http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2273 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2273#When:05:11:04Z Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:11:04 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by Jamal Temori
In an interview with www.bamadad.af, Sarwar Jawadi, legal expert and former member of the Afghan National Assembly (NA) asserted that the NA does not concentrate on the country’s most fundamental and pressing issues.  ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2256 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2256#When:06:11:01Z Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:11:01 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by Asar Hakimi
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Najla Rahib, a member of Afghanistan Lawyers Association (ALA), says that Afghan lawyers are striving to provide Afghan women with the best possible defense despite the multitude of challenges facing women in the legal system. According to Ms. Rahib, approximately 70 percent of Afghan detainees are deprived of their rightful legal representation. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2260 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2260#When:04:06:23Z Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:06:23 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by Hamidullah Habibi
Zaiulhaq Amarkhil, Chief Electoral Officer at Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) Secretariat, says that insecurity is the biggest challenge facing the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections. According to Amarkhil, IEC is making every effort to hold the upcoming election in accordance with the election timeline. In an interview with Bamdad, he asserted that the IEC, without the support of other government organizations, will not be able to conduct transparent elections. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2210 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2210#When:04:27:29Z Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:27:29 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by Hamidullah Habibi
Masoud Treshtwal, head of the Department of Private Institutes of Higher Education at the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), recently spoke with www.bamdad.af about the private institutes of higher education (PIHE) in the country. In an interview with www.bamdad.af he said that MoHE assessed the performance of 65 PIHEs, and suspended activity of two due to substandard quality. A number of PIHEs also received warnings related to quality standards. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2135 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2135#When:03:10:43Z Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:10:43 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Jamal Temori
Asadullah Saadati, a member of the Afghan National Assembly (NA), believes that the Single Non Transferable Voting (SNTV) system, which is currently in use in Afghanistan, results in a “horrible” waste of votes. In an interview with www.bamdad.af, he asserts the SNTV system does not create balance and it has already been eliminated in most countries of the world. Saadati suggests that SNTV should be replaced with a mixed-member electoral system. He says that in current-day Afghanistan, the mixed-member electoral system will be more useful than any other system. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2110 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2110#When:03:47:45Z Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:47:45 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by: Asar Hakimi
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Shahrzad Akbar, the leader of Afghanistan 1400 – a newly established movement of Afghan youth – explains the goals and platform of the 1400 movement. According to Akbar, their movement was founded to mobilize Afghanistan’s new generation to influence the country’s political decision making processes. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2084 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2084#When:04:07:00Z Wed, 26 Dec 2012 04:07:00 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, By Zahir Eztarabi
In an interview with Bamdad, Qazi Ghulam Nabi Hakak, a legal consultant with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) believes that Afghanistan’s presidential election in 2014 and the continuation of international assistance are the two major factors which will determine the state of human rights in Afghanistan post-2014. According to him, a free and fair election and continuation of the international community’s assistance to Afghanistan will improve the country’s human rights situation. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2045 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/2045#When:08:50:37Z Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:50:37 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interview by Asar Hakimi
In an interview with Bamdad, Ahmad Behzad, National Assembly representative from Herat asserts that the lack of a “comprehensive platform or agenda” is the foremost challenge facing the lower house. He believes “the nonpartisan structure” of the National Assembly has stymied the development of political platforms and a long-term strategy among lawmakers, and instead only ineffective, short-term agendas are introduced. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1997 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1997#When:11:01:24Z Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:01:24 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, By Zahir Ezterabi
In June, Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) sent its draft Election Law to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for review. The IEC introduced a number of changes to the law, including modifications to the National Assembly (NA) elections which would allocate one-third of the legislature’s seats to political parties on the basis of proportional representation (while the rest would remain independent candidates), and clarifying eligibility criteria for candidates. But, the MoJ recently released its version of the draft law which removed seat allocations for political parties in the NA as well as some other changes to the law. Political parties and civil society activists are now voicing their disapproval of the MoJ’s changes.   In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Jandad Spinghar, Executive Director at the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA), warns that ignoring political party representation in the electoral process will hinder democratic development. “Allocation of a number of seats to political parties in the NA is a positive change made by the IEC,” he said. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1953 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1953#When:04:44:23Z Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:44:23 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
Known as ‘mother’ to many in her drug addiction recovery centers, Laila Haidari is tackling one of Afghanistan’s fastest growing problems: drug addiction.  In the past year, Haidari founded two recovery centers for drug addicts in Kabul where she treats approximately 400 people, providing them with shelter and recovery support.  But, Haidari knows she is fighting a hard fight.  All evidence points to a worrying spread of drug addiction in Afghanistan. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1926 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1926#When:06:23:30Z Wed, 29 Aug 2012 06:23:30 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, By Qayoom Suroush
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Dr. Zakir Hussein Ershad, a university professor and author of the book “U.S. Post-Taliban Strategy in Afghanistan” asserts that a tendency towards conservatism presents serious challenges to institutionalizing democratic values in Afghanistan. Ershad argues that many traditional beliefs are in fact misperceptions that are holding the country back and lead to socio-political deadlocks.  Better education for the younger generation, he says, is key to building a more democratic society. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1904 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1904#When:05:21:58Z Mon, 13 Aug 2012 05:21:58 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Hamidullah Habibi
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Khalilullah Hayatzada, Acting Director of Postal Services at the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology (MCIT), talks about the development of Afghanistan’s postal service over the past decade. According to Hayatzada, the country’s postal service covers all 34 provinces and 85 to 90 percent of citizens are able to benefit from these services. But, lack of correct addresses in cities and rural areas, unnamed streets and unmarked houses, and security challenges have stunted the development of Afghanistan’s postal service. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1898 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1898#When:04:36:52Z Mon, 06 Aug 2012 04:36:52 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Mohammad Omar Sharifi, Kabul Director and Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Afghanistan Studies (AIAS) explains the dangerous consequences of administrative corruption in Afghanistan. He warns that without serious measures to combat corruption, the country’s survival is at risk. Following the Chicago Summit and Tokyo Conference this year, Sharifi argues that Afghanistan is now facing its last chance to tackle this issue.  “For sure, if the government does not tackle corruption seriously, it will not receive the aid committed. And this will be a disaster for the country.” ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1859 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1859#When:10:34:42Z Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:34:42 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
Afghan civil society activist and director of the civil society organization, Equality for Peace and Democracy (EPD), Nargis Nehan, expresses her concerns about ‘peace negotiation’ and ‘security transition’ processes. “Given the strong presence of extremists and anti-women elements in the Afghan government, women’s rights may fall victim to the peace negotiation process,” she said, in an interview with www.bamdad.af. Nehan is one of 30 representatives attending the Tokyo Conference on behalf of Afghan civil society. “We should not rely on the handover of security responsibilities to Afghan Forces alone. The international community should make a strong commitment at the Tokyo Conference to safeguard the past ten years’ achievements in different fields, particularly civil society development and women’s living conditions. It should commit to prevent any potential political, social or economic crises in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014.” ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1839 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1839#When:10:31:44Z Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:31:44 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
Masouda Karokhi, a member of the Afghan National Assembly from Herat Province, argues that the current mechanisms to monitor campaign finance are ineffective and allow many candidates to buy their way through elections. She further argues that women candidates have far fewer resources, creating gender inequity in elections.  “If this continues, it will create problems for the country’s future elections,” she said in an interview with www.bamdad.af. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1802 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1802#When:06:29:09Z Tue, 05 Jun 2012 06:29:09 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Zahir Estarabi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Nesar Ahmad Habibi, Head of Kabul Municipality’s Sanitation Department explains the reasons for Kabul city’s growing pollution problem. “Inattention to the urban environment is the main problem,” he said. “The municipality is unable to overcome this problem alone.  It demands joint efforts. The media and the ministries of Information & Culture, Education, and Hajj & Islamic Affairs must also educate residents about protecting our urban environment.” ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1785 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1785#When:04:40:25Z Thu, 24 May 2012 04:40:25 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Nilofar Ibrahimi, a member of the Afghan Na-tional Assembly from Badakhshan Province suggests that a party-based legislature is the best solution for promoting democracy in Af¬ghanistan. “In order to have a party-based National As-sembly, it is necessary to estab¬lish strong and countrywide political parties, support existing parties, and have party-based elections”, she adds. Ibrahimi believes that the lack of credible political parties in Afghanistan’s National Assembly has resulted in a fractured legislature, with an overemphasis on ethnic and language issues rather than national interests. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1724 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1724#When:10:01:25Z Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:01:25 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Waheedullah Tawhidi, the Director of Media Watch at the Nai Supporting Open Media Organization, explains the achievements and challenges faced by mass media over the past decade. He warns, however, that the future of mass media after 2014 does not look promising. Mass media outlets will not be able to broadcast if the international community decreases assistance to Afghanistan and if no action is taken to make Afghan media self-sufficient. Tawhidi also argues that much of Afghanistan’s mass media seek to embrace democratic principles and support freedom of speech. “But, they are occasionally facing some problems by domestic elements against freedom of speech,” he says. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1713 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1713#When:11:28:26Z Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:28:26 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Dr Sahibnazar Muradi, urban affairs expert and former member of the Kabul Municipality Planning Committee, discusses the many complex challenges of living in urban Kabul and provides solutions to move the city forward. According to Muradi, a lack of effective monitoring by the municipal government over its construction and reconstruction activities as well as a misuse of power by the municipal officials have stunted urban growth in Kabul. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1715 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1715#When:08:08:04Z Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:08:04 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Mohammad Naser Hafizi, Political Parties and Social Institutions Coordinator at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) explains that following changes in the Political Parties Law, only 46 out of 110 political parties have reregistered. He says that changes brought to the previous law were designed to encourage countrywide and non-ethnic parties. “The government not only did not prevent political party development, but has tried to develop parties” he says. “It is the political parties’ failure that they do not play a more remarkable role in the country’s political system.” ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1691 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1691#When:09:49:50Z Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:49:50 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, By Qayoom Suroush
Following the controversies of Afghanistan’s most recent presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) is introducing a new structure, duties and authorities law as a means of ensuring a tradition of transparent elections in Afghanistan. The new draft law has already been sent to the National Assembly for legislative review. In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Chief Electoral Officer at the IEC, outlines components of the newly proposed law and explains the reasoning behind its development. According to Ahmadzai, changes to the electoral system demand far reaching political support. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1685 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1685#When:04:43:18Z Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:43:18 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Naheed Farid, a member of the National Assembly from Herat Province voices concerns over the treatment of women in Afghanistan. She responds to the recent controversial statement made by the Ulama Council (Islamic Scholars Council) calling for the segregation of men and women in work, school and other areas of public life.  Farid insists that female representatives in the National Assembly will never allow opponents of women’s rights to derail the advancement of women in society. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1683 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1683#When:08:35:19Z Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:35:19 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
Semin Barekzai served as one of the representatives for Herat within the National Assembly – Afghanistan’s legislature –– for eight months before she and eight other representatives were removed from the assembly following a controversial decision by the government.  Six months ago, Barekzai received domestic and international attention through her 18-day hunger strike as a form of civil protest against her removal from the National Assembly.  In an interview with www.bamdad.af Barekzai talks about her experiences as the first Afghan woman to go on a hunger strike and the reasons behind her protest.  She complains her partners in the Coalition for Support of Rule of Law as well as the media remained silent after her she and her protest tent were forcibly removed. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1641 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1641#When:10:48:09Z Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:48:09 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Dr. Akram Arefi, renowned university lecturer of political science, explains the differences between presidential and parliamentary systems.  During the last two months, controversy emerged on Afghanistan’s political scene over a proposal to transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system. However, Dr. Arefi insists that a change to the political system does not always translate into improvements in the underlying political and social issues. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1627 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1627#When:04:24:04Z Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:24:04 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
Following a high profile meeting in Berlin, Germany on February 9th, Afghanistan's National Front (leading by government opposition group) has unearthed a barrage of controversy and debate over its proposal to transition Afghanistan from its presidential system to a parliamentary system of government.  In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Azeta Rafat, member of the Leader Committee of the Right and Justice Political Party says that changing the political system is not their party’s priority. She believes that it is not the system which is a problem, but the management of the system which created problems. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1606 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1606#When:06:05:12Z Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:05:12 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Faizullah Zaki, spokesman for Afghanistan’s National Front (ANF), says that centralized control of power by the president and a lack of accountability among the country’s elected representatives have led Afghanistan into its current political problems. According to Zaki, a change from the current presidential system to a parliamentary system of government is the only solution to decrease the concentration of power and overcome the current political deadlock. He explains ANF’s justification for attending the controversial meeting in Berlin, and the Front’s views on the peace talks with the Afghan government’s opposition. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1568 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1568#When:06:57:15Z Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:57:15 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
In an Interview with www.bamdad.af, Mahmood Saiqal, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the head of the delegation representing government’s opposition at the Bonn 2011 Conference, talks about the importance, commitments and goals of the conference. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1579 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1579#When:04:06:17Z Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:06:17 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Hamidullah Habibi
With the beginning of the winter season, the prices of foodstuff and fuel have risen.  This has created new problems for the people and particularly for Kabul city residents. They are blaming Afghan government officials as well as the Afghan Parliament for doing nothing effective to address the problems. In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Eng. Shirwali Wardak, the deputy head of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Wolesi Jirga, explains his committee’s achievements in this regard. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1563 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1563#When:09:17:35Z Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:17:35 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Qayoom Suroush
For the first time in Afghanistan, this year’s Ashura holiday was followed by a bloody suicide attack in Kabul, Mazar-e- Sharif and Kandahar cities killing more than 80 and injured many others. The Pakistan-based militant outfit, the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al Alm, has claimed responsibility for the attack of Ashura. This incident raises concerns over emerging sectarian clashes in Afghanistan. In an interview with www.bamdad.af, Faizullah Fayiaz, one of Afghanistan leading religious scholar emphasizes that such incidents cannot damage Afghanistan’s national unity. ]]> http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1534 http://www.bamdad.af/english/story/1534#When:05:04:31Z Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:04:31 +0000 Weekly Dialogue, Interviewer: Asar Hakimi
Within last two weeks, two political parties, National Allies and Truth and Justice, announced their formation in Kabul. Both parties include prominent political figures and oppose most current government policy. Here in an Interview with Bamdad, Abas Noyan, the Spokesperson for the Truth and Justice Political Party talks about the party's vision and objectives. ]]>