The Taliban shadow governor for the Dehdadi District of Balkh province and 15 of his fighters have joined the peace process after mediation by tribal elders and the provincial peace council.

Gul khan, the shadow governor, is believed to have trained in Pakistan and worked with insurgent groups in Balkh province for the last four years.

"We are tired of war, so we are joining the peace process. I ask all my disaffected brothers to join the peace process to bring lasting security in our country," Gul Khan said.

The provincial peace council asked the government to help those who join the peace process reintegrate into society.

"The relevant [government] organs should try to create job opportunities for people joining the peace process to prevent them from reverting to the insurgency," Akhtar Muhammad Ibrahimkhil said.

According to the provincial peace council, around 300 insurgents have laid down their weapons in Balkh over the last 18 months.

The second vice president warned Wednesday that the Afghan government will no longer tolerate the bloodshed against Afghan immigrants in Quetta, Pakistan, referring to the latest attack by the banned extremist militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi that killed about 90 and wounded about 200.

About thirty of those killed in the blast were Afghan refugees living in Quetta, and Vice President Khalili urged Pakistan to take serious measures to protect their lives.

"Pakistan...should consider serious actions to protect Afghan immigrants in the country," said Mohammad Karim Khalili.

The vice president said that Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan has been asked to visit Quetta to investigate the terrorist incident.

Meanwhile, a number of Kabul residents have staged a sit-in and hunger strike to protest the attacks that target the Hazara resident of Quetta, who are mostly Shia. Khalili visited the protesters and expressed solidarity with their cause.

Ahmad Zia Massoud, leader of the opposition National Front, lauded the protesters and said that such action could lead to better security for Afghan immigrants.

"Your strike is for humanity, and it will apply pressure on Pakistan to provide security for Hazaras," said Massoud.

Meanwhile, a number of MPs condemned the continued killings of Hazaras in Quetta.
"More than 200 people have been killed in the (latest) attacks. The government of Pakistan is obligated to refer the perpetrators to the judicial organs," said Farhad Majidi, MP.

The Saturday attack, claimed by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, came after a previous attack in January, which the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said was the deadliest attack on record for the Pakistan's Shiites. HRW also said that more than 400 people had been killed in 2012, mostly in bomb attacks and drive-by shootings.

The government will consult with a broad cross-section of the country through a jirga to decided whether to ratify the security pact with Washington, the second vice president said Wednesday.

Vice President Khalili added that the jirga is expected to take place sometime in June this year.

"The government refers to the people to decide on some important issues. The signing of the strategic agreement [technically] allows us to sign the security pact, but to strengthen this matter the government wants to consult with the people," Khalili said.

Opposition political parties have strongly opposed the use of jirgas to decide important national matters.

"Often, meetings are held under them name of jirgas. With all due respect to attendees of such jirgas - my point isn't about the people - but according to the law, that's a misuse of jirgas, not an exercise to give people representation," said opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah.

The opposition parties believe Afghanistan faces significant security challenges as Isaf troops withdraw and should therefore prioritize the signing of the pact.

"A jirga means additional talk. The security pact is part of the long-term [strategic] cooperation agreement that was signed between the two countries. The jirga is, in a way, a misuse of the budget," said Astana Shirzad, head of the Afghan National Party.

The issue if legal immunity for US troops is one of the sticking points in the security pact, but some opposition parties are urging the government to ignore the issue. They believe that Afghanistan should follow the example of other countries that host US troops with legal immunity.

Afghanistan's Ulema Council has shown mixed reaction to their Pakistani counterparts' refusal to attend a joint summit, with some Afghan clergy blaming Pakistani's Ulema Council for supporting the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan's council of religious clerics announced Tuesday that they wouldn't be attending a planned ulema summit between the two countries to build support against suicide bombings and facilitate the Afghan peace process.

In an official letter addressed to the Afghan clerics, Mutfi Abu Huraira Mohiuddin, head of the Pakistani Ulema Council, said they are not willing to criticize any of the Afghan Taliban's past activities, nor would they issue a fatwa against them. The Pakistani clerics had previously said that they wanted the Taliban to also attend the conference.

But some Afghan clerics remain hopeful that despite the refusal from Pakistan, the summit can still take place.

"We want the Pakistani ulema not to decide based on emotions. They should come to talk on this big issue. Even if the Taliban do not attend the conference, we should reach to a conclusion in their absence," said Sayed Hussain Alami Balkhi, member of the Afghan Ulema Council.

Other Afghan clerics expressed the determination to continue working toward peace even if their Pakistani counterparts refuse to meet.

"If the Pakistani ulema don't attend the conference, the path to peace will not be closed, and there are others to help us. We will continue our efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan," said Maulawi Shafiullah Shafi Noorestani of the Afghan Ulema Council.

But some Afghan clerics blamed their Pakistani counterparts for having sympathies for the Afghan insurgents.

"The Pakistani ulema still haven't cut their ties with the Taliban, so we must not expect them to issue a fatwa against them [Taliban] because of their own safety.... The Pakistani ulema aren't willing to take any step against the Taliban," Maulawi Abdulhadi Hedayad said.

A global ulema conference was originally planned, but the Afghan Ulema Council decided to convene a joint Afghanistan-Pakistan ulema summit first. This joint conference, which was to be held this Thursday in Kabul, was to focus on Taliban activities, in particular suicide attacks, declaring them haraam, or a sin.

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Afghanistan's Ulema Council has shown mixed reaction to their Pakistani counterparts' refusal to attend a joint summit, with some Afghan clergy blaming Pakistani's Ulema Council for supporting the Afghan Taliban.

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A commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army warned on Wednesday that his forces would target Lebanon's Hezbollah unless the powerful militant group stops shelling territory held by the insurgents.

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A preliminary court in Herat sentenced to death Wednesday two men for kidnapping and later killing the eight-year-old son of a Herat businessman. 

Police had arrested 12 suspects, two of whom were found guilty of murder. The court also sentenced an accomplice to 20 years. Five others, including two women, received six to 16 years. Two suspects were found not guilty and released.

The defense attorney rejected the sentences and said that under pressure from popular demonstrations, the police and the courts have even imprisoned the relatives of the accused. He urged the police to further investigate the case and announced that his clients would appeal their sentences.

"Unfortunately, the preliminary court has completely ignored the justifications to my clients," said Ahmad Navid Ziaratjahi, the attorney.

The boy's father urged the government to carry out the sentences without delay, fearing that outside influence could change the outcome.

"What the people, especially the people of Herat, want from the president is to practically hang them (the accused) to death as soon as possible. Because there are other powers behind the case trying to reshape it," said Naseer Ahmad Noroozi, Ali Sina's father.

Ali Sina, the eight-year-old boy who was kidnapped with assistance from his father's bodyguard late December last year, was killed by the kidnappers late January even though they received the ransom.

According to Mr. Noroozi, the kidnappers had initially asked for $400,000 for his son's release, an amount which was negotiated down to $90,000. But the kidnappers killed and then buried Ali Sina to cover their tracks and conceal their identities.

The incident sparked mass demonstrations in Herat against increasing kidnapping incidents. Herat's provincial police chief was also transferred elsewhere.

At least two Taliban commanders and several Pakistani insurgents were killed in an operation in the eastern Laghman province, local officials said in a statement Thursday.

The Taliban commanders, known as Qari Almas and Omari, were been involved in anti-government activities in the province.

The Laghman Media Office said that the operation took place in the Ali Nigar district and resulted in the killings of 14 insurgents, including four Pakistanis; 17 others were injured in the operation.

Local officials in Kunduz also said Thursday that four Taliban insurgents were killed in a clash with security forces in the Khaja Ghaltan-e-Wali area of Kunduz city.

The 303 Police Zone Spokesman Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai said the insurgents were planning to lunch attacks in the city.

Isaf reported Thursday that six other Taliban insurgents were detained in Kunduz in a joint Afghan-Nato operation, which aimed to detain an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) commander accused of distributing arms to Taliban insurgents in the province.

Meanwhile, an air strike in Ghazni province killed five Taliban members, including a suicide bomber, local officials said Thursday.

The air strike occurred as insurgents were traveling in a vehicle from Andar District to Ghazni City, according to Andar District Governor Mohammad Qasem.

Kabul Municipality reported Wednesday that the city's revenues had increased by approximately 33 percent compared to last year, adding that the additional revenues will be spent on road construction and urban improvements.

The municipality's revenues for the current fiscal year is projected to be above AFN2.55 billion ($51 million), said Mayor Mohammad Younus Nawandish.

More than 42 kilometers of roads were asphalted and walkways reconstructed last year, while another 30 kilometers or roads are ready for to be asphalted in the near future, he added.

But Kabul residents have long complained that the municipality is not doing enough to develop the city, especially in tackling the city's notorious traffic and repairing broken roads.

A man has murdered his wife with a razor blade after prolonged domestic quarrels arising from financial difficulties, Kabul Police officials said Thursday.

"This heart-wrenching and tragic incident took place in Zone 7 of Kabul city. The people of the area informed us, and the police reached the area within a short time and arrested the man before he managed to escape," General Mohammad Zahir, chief of Kabul's Criminal Investigation Department, told TOLOnews.

The suspect said his alleged crime was rooted in domestic difficulties and poverty.

"I haven't had a good job. People harassed me, and my wife would send me to get food and groceries when I came home," said the man.

"So, I took her to the second floor and killed her with a razor blade."

A recent UN report said that a large number of cases of violence against women go ignored. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission recently reported a twofold increase in cases of violence against women in the country.

Courts don't exist in large parts of the country, leading people to use traditional justice systems and even rely on the Taliban to resolve disputes, justices of the Supreme Court admitted Thursday.

But the justices said that poor security in parts of the country prevents courts from operating.

"Everything is connected to security, whether it's schools, government organs or other things. It is important that people can work comfortably. That's why there are no courts in the insecure parts of the country," said Justice Mohammad Omar Barakzai.

"Our staff goes to places where there is good security, places that have a district governor, police chief and prosecutors. In their absence, we don't send our staff [to set up courts]," said Justice Abdul Aziz Azizi.

Because of the absence of courts, people in some areas have to travel from the districts to provincial capitals to access the judicial system, which Justice Barakzai admitted is an impediment to justice.

The justices admitted that people turn to traditional justice systems in areas where courts don't exist, leading to verdicts that don't consider the due process of the law.

"Jirgas decide [cases] in most provinces and people also refer to them, but judicial processes don't exist in jirgas. For example, if someone commits murder, the jirga might decide to give a girl from the criminal's family to the slain person's family. That way, nobody knows about the fate of the girl," said Justice Barakzai.

In addition to challenges of security and alternative justice systems, corruption in courts is a serious issue. Over the past year, about 60 judges have been convicted of corruption.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said Thursday that the recent announcement of fourth-generation (4G) mobile internet services by telecom giant Etisalat is "deceptive," adding that the country lacks proper infrastructure for 4G services.

The ministry slammed Etisilat for announcing its planned roll-out of 4G services and said the company had failed to appropriately execute its 3G license.

Ministry officials pointed to dissatisfaction among customers with 3G services and said the ministry will pressure companies to improve their services.

"Etisalat wants to have the market moving only for its benefit and we will not allow that," said Khair Mohammad Faizi, deputy of Afghan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

Meanwhile, the UAE-based Etisalat said that its 4G services in Afghanistan are in the trial phases only, and that the company will work to comply with all laws and gain consumer satisfaction once 4G is rolled out across the country.

"We are still in the trial and the preparation phase of 4G and have not yet started the service. There is no doubt that to provide 4G, we need a license from the Government of Afghanistan and approval from President Karzai and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology," said Yasser Abu-Alamayem, Head of Marketing of Etisalat Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology announced that following the procurement of proper equipment, it will monitor 3G services, and in case the services don't meet license specifications, the service providers will be penalised.

The Ministry of National Defense said Thursday that the increase in Afghan troop casualties across country is because Afghan forces are involved in more security operations.

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Courts don't exist in large parts of the country, leading people to use traditional justice systems and even rely on the Taliban to resolve disputes, justices of the Supreme Court admitted Thursday.

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NATO officials are strongly considering a proposal to keep Afghan forces at their peak strength of 352,000 until at least 2018, as opposed to current plans to cut the force by a third after 2015, alliance officials said on Thursday.

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The US and Nato allies revealed Friday they may keep as many as 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after the combat mission ends next year.

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A Nato soldier died following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in southern Afghanistan on Friday, Isaf said in a statement.

Isaf did not disclose further information about the exact location and nationality of the soldier, but mostly US and British soldiers are based in southern Afghanistan.

The death brings the number of foreign troop deaths in the Afghan war to nine this year.

More than three US troops, two British and four other Nato-led troops have been killed this year out of around 66,000 US troops and 37,000 troops of other nations in Afghanistan.

Police said they arrested the leader of a banned militant group on Friday in connection with sectarian attacks in the northwestern city of Quetta that have killed nearly 200 people this year.

Two bombings about month apart targeting the minority Shi'ite community in Quetta, claimed by the Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), sparked demonstrations across the country and the dismissal of the local government.

Police said they arrested LeJ leader, Malik Ishaq, in the town of Rahim Yar Khan at his home on Friday afternoon.

"LeJ has accepted responsibility for the recent Quetta blast and Ishaq is its supreme commander. That's why we have arrested him and 24 other LeJ militants," said Zafar Chatta, the district police officer.

The LeJ claimed responsibility for a blast that killed 85 people on Saturday in the provincial capital of Quetta. It also claimed responsibility for blasts on January 9 that killed 96 in the same city.

It was unclear why authorities did not arrest Ishaq, who was living openly at his home protected by gunmen, after the LeJ claimed the first bombing.

Pakistani leaders have done little to contain hardline Sunni Muslim groups which have stepped up a campaign of bombings and assassinations of Shi'ites in a bid to destabilise the nuclear-armed country and install a Sunni theocracy.

The LeJ, whose roots are in the heartland Punjab province, wants to expel the Shi'ites, who make up about a fifth of the 180 million population. Human Rights Watch says more than 400 Shi'ites were killed in sectarian attacks last year.

Chatta said Ishaq was being held under public order legislation and would be held at least a month while investigators interrogated him.

Ishaq was released from prison in July 2011 after spending 14 years behind bars charged with 34 counts of culpable homicide and terrorism.

He was released after the charges could not be proved - partly because of witness intimidation, officials said. Supporters showered him with rose petals when he left jail.

In an interview with Reuters last year, Ishaq said Shi'ites were the "greatest infidels on earth".

At that time he said he was a leader of Sipah-e-Sahaba, the LeJ parent group. He told Reuters that Shi'ites had insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

"Whoever insults the companions of the Holy Prophet should be given a death sentence," he said.

Many Pakistanis remain suspicious about the extent to which the LeJ has preserved its links with the country's powerful security services.

Journalists have asked how a truck with nearly a ton of explosives could have passed so many checkpoints in the heavily militarised garrison town of Quetta. The Supreme Court has ordered security services to explain why they were unable to stop the bombings.

The Syrian army's use of surface-to-surface missiles on Aleppo is part of a bid to advance on the northern city, swathes of which have fallen into rebel hands since mid-2012, activists said Saturday.

"The army has been trying for weeks to come closer to Aleppo via its eastern entrance, in order to assault it. Elite troops are being sent... but so far the army has been unsuccessful," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman.

"The army's use of surface-to-surface missiles on Aleppo is part of that attempted advance," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

On Friday, at least 29 people, among them children, were killed in three surface-to-surface missile strikes on eastern Aleppo, the Observatory said.

The missiles, which targeted the district of Ard al-Hamra area of Tariq al-Bab, also injured about 150 other people, said the Britain-based Observatory.

Activists said the missiles were launched from Base 155 near Damascus, though their reports could not be verified.

Just four days earlier, 33 people including 15 children were killed in a missile attack on the nearby district of Jabal Badro, said the Observatory.

Activists have reported the army's use of surface-to-surface missiles on various targets in northern Syria since late 2012.

A security official in Damascus told AFP late last year that such missiles were a Syrian-made version of Scuds, while Nato has since reported the use of ballistic missiles in the country.

Elsewhere in Aleppo, shelling on the Maadi district of Aleppo caused a building to collapse, said the Observatory. An unknown number of people were killed there, it added.

In the province, rebels fought troops on Saturday morning near Aleppo international airport and Nayrab air base, southeast of the provincial capital, said the Observatory.

On February 12, rebels announced an assault on several airports -- military and civilian -- in Aleppo province, in a bid to stop warplanes from taking off.

The insurgents have since captured two air bases and a military complex tasked with securing the international airport and nearby Nayrab air base.

Friday's violence left some 110 people dead across Syria, according to a preliminary toll compiled by the Observatory.

Some 70,000 people have been killed in Syria's nearly two-year war, the UN says.

Afghanistan's Ulema Council has shown mixed reactions to their Pakistani counterparts' refusal to attend a joint summit, with some Afghan clergy blaming Pakistan's ulema council for supporting the Afghan Taliban.

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