Top news in this Bulletin:

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) warned Monday of a fraught 2014 election if security forces do not ensure the safety of voters.

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Afghanistan's biggest cement plant Ghori Cement in northern Baghlan province is running at only 80 percent capacity because of a lack of electricity, officials said Monday.

Producing around 1200 tonnes of cement a day, Ghori company chief the plant could produce more but is setback by its electricity needs which cannot be met by the output at Ghori Breshna Dam.

"Afghanistan still needs more electricity - the plant needs 8MW. The plant produces 1200 tonnes of cement a day but this is 80 percent of the plant's capacity," Islamuddin Ahmadi said, adding that there are efforts underway to fix this.

"Another part of the plant needs reconstruction which we have decided to work on in few days," he said.

Ahmadi said the plant sends most of its produce over north Afghanistan, with major customers in Balkh, Baghlan, Kunduz, Badakshan, Takhar, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces.

Iran on Monday urged Paris to take "a correct approach based on reality," after the French defence minister stressed the need to prevent the Islamic republic from developing nuclear weapons.

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The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan has dropped for the first time in six years, but the number of injured has increased, according to a United Nations report on civilian casualties.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) documented 2,754 civilian deaths in 2012, a 12 percent drop, and 4,805 injuries, a slight rise.

"Unama documented a 12 per cent drop in civilian deaths and a marginal increase in civilian injuries compared with 2011. Unama recorded 7,559 civilian casualties - 2,754 civilian deaths and 4,805 civilian injuries - in 2012. Over the past six years, 14,728 Afghan civilians have lost their lives in the conflict," it said in a statement released Tuesday.

The reduction was attributed to less fighting on the ground and a decline in suicide attacks and air operations. But the report also expressed concern about the re-emergence of armed groups, particularly in Afghanistan's north.

"The decrease in civilian casualties Unama documented in 2012 is very much welcome. Yet, the human cost of the conflict remains unacceptable," said Ján Kubiš, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan.

"Indiscriminate and unlawful use of improvised explosive devices by Anti-Government Elements remains the single biggest killer of civilians. Steep increases in the deliberate targeting of civilians perceived to be supporting the Government demonstrates another grave violation of international humanitarian law. Particularly appalling is the use of suicide attacks including those carried out by brainwashed children to murder civilians which is also a clear breach of the norms of Islam," he said in the statement.

The report said civilians are facing an increase in threats, intimidation and interference with their rights to education, health, justice and freedom of movement from militants, it added.

In total, 81 percent of civilian casualties in 2012 were attributed to militants, while 8 percent resulted from operations by pro-government forces.

It also noted that women and girls "continued to suffer enormously from the effects of armed conflict", with 301 killed and 563 injured - an increase of 20 percent.

"It is the tragic reality that most Afghan women and girls were killed or injured while engaging in their everyday activities," said Georgette Gagnon, Unama's director of human rights.

The report said improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by insurgents were the greatest threat to civilians, causing 868 deaths and 1,663 injuries. Targeted killings by militants also increased by 108 percent, with 698 people killed and 379 hurt.

"Unama notes numerous Taliban statements in 2012 to protect civilians. Yet, the situation on the ground has not improved. The Taliban increased their direct attacks on civilians through targeted killings and continued to indiscriminately use IEDs," the agency said.

The report said 316 civilians were killed and 271 hurt by pro-government forces, a 46 percent decrease from 2011. Casualties from aerial operations by international military forces in Afghanistan also decreased by 42 percent, with 126 deaths and 78 injuries documented.

"While fewer Afghan civilians were killed in the armed conflict in 2012, conflict-related violence continued to seriously threaten the lives and well-being of thousands of Afghan children, women and men," Gagnon said. "This situation demands even greater commitment and redoubled efforts to protect Afghan civilians in 2013 and beyond."

Over the past six years, 14,728 Afghan civilians have died in the violence of the war.

A senior Taliban leader was killed in a joint Afghan and Nato troops operation in southern Helmand province on Sunday, Isaf said.

"Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of Taliban senior leader, Khan Mohammad, and another insurgent during an operation in Musa Qal'ah district, Helmand province, Sunday," Isaf said in a statement on Tuesday.

Khan Mohammad, also known as Shams, was a "critical Taliban command and control link within the Musa Qal'ah district network. He coordinated direct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and participated in Taliban kidnapping operations."

It comes as two other Taliban insurgents were captured in joint operations in southern Kandahar on Monday.

One of the leaders, who was captured in Panjwa'i district, is believed responsible for coordinating improvised explosive device operations against Afghan Local Police, Isaf said.

The second leader was captured in the Arghistan district, allegedly responsible for an improvised explosive device attack network in Spin Boldak, Arghistan and Maruf districts of Kandahar. He was responsible for the coordination and distribution of ammunition and heavy weapons to insurgents in the province, Isaf added.

Three other insurgents were arrested in a separate operation in Arghistan of the province in search of a Taliban leader, yesterday.

While two other insurgents were killed in Ghaziabad district of eastern Kunar province, Monday.

"The security force observed two individuals conducting insurgent activity. The security force engaged the insurgents with a precision strike, killing both individuals," Isaf said.

The Australian defense minister Stephen Smith met President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Monday, pledging $100 million in annual aid to Afghanistan beyond 2014, Karzai's office said.

"President Hamid Karzai met Mr Stephen Smith, the Australian Defence Minister last night at the president place and discussed over the co-operation between the two countries after 2014, security transition and peace process," it said in a statement Tuesday.

According to the presidential office, Smith told Karzai that the security transition from Australian troops to local security forces "is continuing successfully" in Uruzgan province.

"We will withdraw our troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013. But we will continue the training of the Afghan security forces," Smith was quoted as saying.

Smith pledged $100 million annually to the Afghan National Security Forces after 2014 when they will take responsibility for Afghanistan's total security.

Australia has around 1,094 soldiers in Afghanistan, most of whom are based in southern Uruzgan province. Thirty-nine of its soldiers have died in the Afghan war since the start of the Isaf mission.

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) warned Monday of a fraught 2014 election if security forces do not ensure the safety of voters.

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Taliban allegedly whipped a man and woman accused of having an illegal relationship in central Ghor province, officials said on Monday.

The incident, said Fazlulhaq Ehsan head of Ghor province provincial council, happened in Korgin village of Charsadda district on Friday.

The Taliban detained the man involved in the illicit relationship, lashing him 27 times in front of the local mosque. Then, the woman was allegedly lashed 40 times in her home.

"A man and woman whom were having an illegal relationship in Korgin village of Charsada district where whipped by the Taliban," said Ehsan in a phone interview with TOLO news.

The Taliban also ordered to deport both the man and woman temporarily from the country, Eshan added.

Reports indicate that the lashings were issued by Mullah Mostafa, a member of Taliban Ulema council and Mullah Abdul Rahamn, the Taliban nominated district governor in Charsada.

Meanwhile, Sayed Anwar Rahmati, the governor of Ghor province says the presence of thousands of illegal armed groups in the province pose a serious threat to security.

"These illegal armed groups have heavy arms, artillery and weapons - that even the police and national army don't have," said Rahmati. "They are more dangerous than Taliban."

According to some reports, over ten thousand illegal armed militia are active in Ghor province.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior announced a ten-year strategic plan at a press conference on Monday.

The plan involves the establishment of a sturdy and reliable framework to address several of the the country's glaring problems: lack of law enforcement, a clear understanding and awareness of laws, and trust.

"This is a ten-year plan aiming to inform police forces of their duties and how to enforce the law so everyone benefits. The most important task, however, is to increase the people's trust and reliance on the country's police forces." said Siddiq Siddiqi, the Interior Ministry spokesman.

The hope is to bring the national, local and community police under one framework, Siddiqi added.

Meanwhile, police officers receiving training in Turkey have returned. Around two-thousand police officers total will receive professional trainings from Turkey, Egypt, India and other countries.

"This year we were able to send around 2,000 Afghan police to European countries, India, and Turkey," said Siddiqi. "We already have programs lined up for next year's trainings."

Lack of professional police training and equipment for the program has been a great challenge.

After signing an agreement with the Afghan government on Tuesday, Etisalat Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates or UAE based telecommunications service provider, will launch the country's first trial 4G network.

The announcement comes just one year after Etisalat Afghanistan obtained their 3G license.

"The trial of 4G technology in Afghanistan is an important event for us," said Ahmad Hussaini, head of Etisalat Afghanistan. "The 4G services enable GSM users to have access to fast internet on their mobile phones, connect to live video calls, exchange video, music and photos."

The 4G service is five time faster and better than Etisalat's 3G technology, added Hussaini.

However, the vast majority of Afghans - only 4 percent according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology - do not have access to internet services, particularly those people living in remote provinces.

There are currently five private telecom companies operating in Afghanistan.

Etisalat Afghanistan, part of the UAE-based Etisalat Group, also operates in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

Top news in this Bulletin:

The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan has dropped for the first time in six years, but the number of injured has increased, according to a United Nations report on civilian casualties.

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‪ ‬

‪Afghanistan will fall to insecurity and instability if the presidential elections are held with fraud, said Zalmai Rasool, the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.‬

‪On a visit with Balkh's governor Atta Mohammad Noor‬ ‪in Mazar e Sharif, alongside parliament representatives, Rasool said that the government is attempting to hold a transparent presidential election in 2014.‬
‪ ‬
‪"If the election is transparent and a democratic political transition can occur, then I assure you that Afghanistan will move towards improvement and stability - otherwise we will face big problems in the future," said Rasool.‬
‪ ‬
‪The minister denied any secret negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban, pointing to the fact that the Qatar office is still not open.‬
‪ ‬
‪Peaceful negotiations will continue with the Taliban only if they accept Afghanistan's constitution, added Rasool.‬
‪ ‬
‪"First, we will negotiate with those Taliban who want peace. Second, they should respect Afghanistan's constitution - which is a big achievement in the country. Last, they should lay down their arms," said Rasool. "And then, we will welcome them as Afghan citizens to come and participate in the election." ‬
‬
Governor Noor agreed, saying he welcomes peaceful negotiations with Taliban but added that the terms of the negotiations should be clearly defined.‬
‪ ‬
‪"There should be a clear mechanisms and rules about the Taliban who join the peace process," said Noor. "For example, how can they be effective in the peace process? Can they persuade others to join in the process? What about the issue of them going back and joining the opposing group. There must be clear and effective mechanisms at play."

Widespread corruption in Afghanistan's judicial system has led more than fifty percent of Afghans to use traditional courts and courts governed by the Taliban says Afghan Integrity Watch.

"Our figures show people choose unofficial organizations; mainly community councils, drumhead court-martial, and the Taliban trials – especially in cases related to land issues in which they are asked to pay a lot of money," said Yama Torabi, head of Afghan Integrity Watch.

Lawyers and observers also suggest that corruption in the Afghan judicial system is uncontrollable.

"The bureaucracy is devastating in the judicial system - it forces victims or people seeking justice to refer to other organizations. Everyone knows what they will have to face in the court system: bribes, outside pressure and people who meddle in the middle," said Moosa Fariwar, a Kabul University teacher.

Law enforcement, public hearings, an increase in judicial capacity and watch dogs, as well as providing public awareness are some of the resolutions to reducing corruption inside the country's judiciary system and providing greater justice says Afghan Integrity Watch.

The lack of courts in many parts of Afghanistan is another barrier forcing people to seek community councils and traditional methods to obtain justice.

The Supreme Court failed to respond to request for comment.

The United States will be the biggest contributor in the upcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan, a U.S. State Department official said on Tuesday.

"The United States backs independent Afghan elections in accordance with the Afghan constitution. Independent elections are critical for Afghanistan's future," said Karen Decker, the senior civilian representative for the coalition's Regional Command-East. "The United States will do everything we can to support free and fair elections."

Speaking at a conference held in Kapisa province, the envoy pointed out that Afghanistan would not be left unaccompanied after 2014. The United States is committed to equipping the local security forces and developing Afghanistan's economy.

Kapisa's provincial governor, Mehrabuddin Safi, said operations to clear out insurgents will be carried out in the districts of Tagab and Alasai just ahead of the elections.

"There are security challenges in districts of Tagab and Alasai. We are preparing to have military operations before the presidential elections and have security forces ready to help with the groundwork for the elections."

Officials did not provide details on when the operations will start.

In an official letter addressed to Afghanistan's Ulema Council, Pakistani clerics said on Tuesday that they will not be attending the upcoming Kabul clergy conference.

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A senior Taliban leader was killed in a joint Afghan and Nato troops operation in southern Helmand province on Sunday, Isaf said.

"Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of Taliban senior leader, Khan Mohammad, and another insurgent during an operation in Musa Qal'ah district, Helmand province, Sunday," Isaf said in a statement on Tuesday.

Khan Mohammad, also known as Shams, was a "critical Taliban command and control link within the Musa Qal'ah district network. He coordinated direct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and participated in Taliban kidnapping operations."

It comes as two other Taliban insurgents were captured in joint operations in southern Kandahar on Monday.

One of the leaders, who was captured in Panjwa'i district, is believed responsible for coordinating improvised explosive device operations against Afghan Local Police, Isaf said.

The second leader was captured in the Arghistan district, allegedly responsible for an improvised explosive device attack network in Spin Boldak, Arghistan and Maruf districts of Kandahar. He was responsible for the coordination and distribution of ammunition and heavy weapons to insurgents in the province, Isaf added.

Three other insurgents were arrested in a separate operation in Arghistan of the province in search of a Taliban leader, yesterday.

While two other insurgents were killed in Ghaziabad district of eastern Kunar province, Monday.

"The security force observed two individuals conducting insurgent activity. The security force engaged the insurgents with a precision strike, killing both individuals," Isaf said.

The Australian defense minister Stephen Smith met President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Monday, pledging $100 million in annual aid to Afghanistan beyond 2014, Karzai's office said.

"President Hamid Karzai met Mr Stephen Smith, the Australian Defence Minister last night at the president place and discussed over the co-operation between the two countries after 2014, security transition and peace process," it said in a statement Tuesday.

According to the presidential office, Smith told Karzai that the security transition from Australian troops to local security forces "is continuing successfully" in Uruzgan province.

"We will withdraw our troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013. But we will continue the training of the Afghan security forces," Smith was quoted as saying.

Smith pledged $100 million annually to the Afghan National Security Forces after 2014 when they will take responsibility for Afghanistan's total security.

Australia has around 1,094 soldiers in Afghanistan, most of whom are based in southern Uruzgan province. Thirty-nine of its soldiers have died in the Afghan war since the start of the Isaf mission.

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) warned Monday of a fraught 2014 election if security forces do not ensure the safety of voters.

To watch the programme, click here:

{youtube}Ucfny6R65a4{/youtube}

Read more...

Taliban allegedly whipped a man and woman accused of having an illegal relationship in central Ghor province, officials said on Monday.

The incident, said Fazlulhaq Ehsan head of Ghor province provincial council, happened in Korgin village of Charsadda district on Friday.

The Taliban detained the man involved in the illicit relationship, lashing him 27 times in front of the local mosque. Then, the woman was allegedly lashed 40 times in her home.

"A man and woman whom were having an illegal relationship in Korgin village of Charsada district where whipped by the Taliban," said Ehsan in a phone interview with TOLO news.

The Taliban also ordered to deport both the man and woman temporarily from the country, Eshan added.

Reports indicate that the lashings were issued by Mullah Mostafa, a member of Taliban Ulema council and Mullah Abdul Rahamn, the Taliban nominated district governor in Charsada.

Meanwhile, Sayed Anwar Rahmati, the governor of Ghor province says the presence of thousands of illegal armed groups in the province pose a serious threat to security.

"These illegal armed groups have heavy arms, artillery and weapons - that even the police and national army don't have," said Rahmati. "They are more dangerous than Taliban."

According to some reports, over ten thousand illegal armed militia are active in Ghor province.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior announced a ten-year strategic plan at a press conference on Monday.

The plan involves the establishment of a sturdy and reliable framework to address several of the the country's glaring problems: lack of law enforcement, a clear understanding and awareness of laws, and trust.

"This is a ten-year plan aiming to inform police forces of their duties and how to enforce the law so everyone benefits. The most important task, however, is to increase the people's trust and reliance on the country's police forces." said Siddiq Siddiqi, the Interior Ministry spokesman.

The hope is to bring the national, local and community police under one framework, Siddiqi added.

Meanwhile, police officers receiving training in Turkey have returned. Around two-thousand police officers total will receive professional trainings from Turkey, Egypt, India and other countries.

"This year we were able to send around 2,000 Afghan police to European countries, India, and Turkey," said Siddiqi. "We already have programs lined up for next year's trainings."

Lack of professional police training and equipment for the program has been a great challenge.