Summary:

Hundreds of youth commandos have graduated from advanced special forces training and officially joined the ranks of the country’s elite military units.

According to Mawlavi Seddiqullah Nusrat, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, the graduates members of the ministry’s special unit, successfully completed the seventh training course at the Saad bin Abi Waqas Higher Center of the Special Forces Division. The six-month program included rigorous instruction in commando tactics, professional military skills, and ideological training.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mawlavi Hamidullah Akhundzada Sayed, First Deputy Minister of Defense, described the event as a major milestone in strengthening Afghanistan’s defense capabilities. “These forces are now fully prepared to defend the people, ensure public security, and carry out their duties with competence,” he said.

He further emphasized that the newly trained personnel have been shaped by a culture of sacrifice and dedication, and through intensive and specialized training, have acquired the necessary capabilities to conduct any type of military operation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Special Forces Division assured that the process of building professional, well-equipped, and powerful forces will continue, with the aim of producing more personnel who meet the highest military standardsdedicated to preserving the Islamic system and national sovereignty.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newly graduated forces delivered live demonstrations of practical military and commando operations.

Summary:

Sheikh Mawlavi Neda Mohammad Nadeem Minister of Higher Education announced during a meeting in Kandahar that higher education is advancing rapidly toward progress.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Higher Education, the gathering held with leaders and scholars of the Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i community in Kandahar, emphasized that both religious seminaries and universities should produce graduates who are fully competent in all fields.

The Minister stressed that individuals who earn doctoral degrees from these institutions must truly deserve such a high academic rank.

Speaking to a large audience of faculty members, professors, students, and staff at Afghanistan University of Agriculture and Technology, he noted: “Fortunately, higher education is progressing at a fast pace. Ninety master’s programs and twenty doctoral programs have been established, and more than 6,342 students are currently enrolled at the master’s and doctoral levels.”

He advised students to show respect, honor, and obedience toward their teachers, elders, and authorities, adding: “If we value knowledge and education, we can build and develop our country. Praise be to God. This determination and commitment exist within our system.”

Sheikh Nadeem also urged administrative staff to organize their work properly and handle public funds with care, noting that public resources belong to widows, orphans, and all citizens.

Meanwhile, during a scientific council session at the university, he listened to the concerns and suggestions of professors and officials, offering guidance on improving student training. He approved the construction of a research center building and requested funding for research activities, the provision of specialized books, and several other projects.

Summary:

Saha Airlines has launched its first direct flights from Mashhad, Iran, to Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi International Airport in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

At the inaugural ceremony, Mawlavi Abdul Ghafar Farooqi, deputy director of Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi International Airport, stated that the new route would further enhance transportation ties between Iran and Afghanistan while offering passengers more convenient and efficient travel options.

Ali Hamdard, a representative of Saha Airlines, noted that the airline has begun regular flights between the two cities in response to public demand and a desire to simplify air travel.

Haji Hamed Samim, head of the Union of Tourism Companies in the northern zone, hailed the launch as a significant step forward in improving air transport services between the two countries. He also expressed optimism that the number of flights and air routes connecting Afghanistan with other regional countries will increase in the near future.

Summary:

Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, stated during a meeting with Qari Salahuddin Ayubi, the governor of Logar, that the Islamic Emirate is actively working through relevant departments to address the issues faced by returnees and internally displaced persons.

According to a statement released today by the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Qari Salahuddin Ayoubi briefed the minister on the situation of returnees in Logar province and the assistance provided to them. He added that the Islamic Emirate, along with several partner organizations, has so far delivered initial aid to returnees in Logar, including essential supplies and services.

He highlighted the importance of designated residential townships as a long-term solution to the challenges facing returnees, noting that several such townships have been allocated in Logar to provide permanent housing for thousands of returning families. Preliminary work on these townships is expected to be completed soon.

The governor of Logar also put forward several proposals concerning returnees in the province and called for accelerating the remaining work on the migrant townships.

Mawlavi Abdul Kabir commended the governor’s efforts in addressing returnee issues and stressed the need to continue and expand assistance to them. He reiterated that the Islamic Emirate, through its relevant institutions, is committed to resolving the challenges confronting returnees and displaced populations.

He further assured that coordination would be undertaken with the appropriate authorities regarding matters related to the migrant townships.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Summary:

Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) has stated that its primary focus is on implementing infrastructure projects, according to Director General Mullah Nooruddin Turabi during a meeting with Sergey Valkov, Head of the Climate Change Portfolio at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A statement from the ANDMA quoted Turabi as outlining the authority’s objectives, priorities, and the needs of affected communities. He called on the UN delegation to cooperate in the area of capacity building.

Turabi further noted that in addition to distributing food, non-food items, and cash assistance to vulnerable families, the authority is also rolling out preventive projects, placing special emphasis on infrastructure development initiatives.

He urged the UN delegation to carry out their projects on schedule and pledged full cooperation from his side to facilitate implementation.

Sergey Valkov commended the authority’s collaborative spirit and stressed that the UNDP would execute their projects on time and in suitable locations. He added that professional experts are essential for successful infrastructure work, and expressed readiness to cooperate with the NDMA in that regard.

Both sides concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to enhancing and further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Summary:

The Governor of Bamyan, Qari Gul Haidar Shafiq, has met with Veronika Boskovic Pohar, the European Union’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, to discuss the implementation of development programs, the expansion of educational services, and the improvement of healthcare in the province.

According to Bakhtar News Agency, during the meeting, Ambassador Pohar—accompanied by the Directors-General of UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for Afghanistan—affirmed the EU’s commitment to continued practical cooperation in the fields of development, education, health, climate change, and humanitarian assistance in Bamyan.

The EU Ambassador further stated that, in coordination with international organizations and under the leadership of local Bamyan authorities, the Union aims to roll out effective and sustainable projects to enhance the economic and social well-being of the province’s residents.

In response, Governor Shafiq expressed appreciation for the cooperation from the EU and UN agencies and called for tangible support in completing major unfinished infrastructure projects. These include the Bamyan–Dushi power transmission line, the completion and paving of the Bamyan–Baghlan (Dara-e Shikari) highway and the Bamyan–Dara-e Suf highway, along with several other public works.

Ambassador Pohar assured that the EU, in coordination with Bamyan’s provincial authorities and UN offices, will continue to support returning migrants in the areas of housing, education, healthcare services, and welfare facilities.

The Directors of UN Women and UNDP for Afghanistan also underscored their commitment to sustaining development, infrastructure, and community economic empowerment projects backed by the EU and the international community, reaffirming their ongoing partnership with Bamyan.

Summary:

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has announced the completion of a topographic survey for a proposed Migrants’ Township in Balkh, covering more than 14,000 jeribs of land.

According to the ministry, a technical team from the Balkh Provincial Urban Development and Housing Directorate conducted the survey across approximately 14,525 jeribs in the Siyah Gerd area of Nahr-e Shahi district, designated for the resettlement of migrants.

The survey was carried out using an aerial drone to capture the necessary technical data. This information will support the development of a detailed site plan and the construction of a well-organized, standardized township for migrant resettlement.

The report notes that the survey data taking into account the area’s geographical and technical characteristics will guide the planning and implementation of the township project.

Summary:

As tensions in the Middle East reach a critical point, international media reports suggest a potential agreement between Iran and the United States to halt hostilities, fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease sanctions a deal that could significantly reshape the region’s security and economic landscape.

According to international reports, Iran has agreed to a draft deal aimed at ending regional conflicts and restoring full navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, an arrangement that could help prevent a broader war in the Middle East and relieve pressure on global oil markets.

Citing a U.S. official, Axios reported that the proposed accord between Tehran and Washington has been framed as a 60-day memorandum of understanding, with the possibility of extension.

Under the draft, the Strait of Hormuz would be completely reopened, with Iran removing naval mines placed along shipping lanes, allowing commercial vessels to pass through the strategic waterway without tolls.

In exchange, the United States would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and grant sanctions waivers, enabling Tehran to freely export oil to international markets.

The agreement is also said to include a cessation of regional hostilities, notably an end to the war between the Israeli regime and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear file would be addressed separately within the same 60-day period.

According to published details, Iran would commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons and would enter negotiations on suspending uranium enrichment and transferring its stockpiles of enriched uranium.

Reports also indicate that the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan expressed support for the agreement during phone calls with Donald Trump.

Pakistan is said to have played a key mediating role in the process, with the country’s army chief reportedly present in Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced concern over ending the war with Hezbollah, but U.S. officials stressed that any potential ceasefire would not be one-sided.

The initial framework of the agreement is expected to be announced today, Sunday, though sources emphasize that negotiations have not yet reached their final stage.                                                                                                                           

Summary:

Alongside the Islamic Emirate’s extensive domestic efforts to develop energy infrastructure, the CASA-1000 project stands out as one of the most pivotal turning points in the transformation of Afghanistan’s electricity sector.

Commentary

A reporter from Bakhtar News Agency writes:This project not only connects Afghanistan to the regional energy grid but also, together with the country’s new energy policies, plays a complementary and reinforcing role in the transition toward electricity self-sufficiency.

Following the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate and the restoration of nationwide security, conditions have become increasingly favorable for investment in energy infrastructure projects.

Within this framework, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — in cooperation with domestic institutions and private investors, particularly major economic enterprises — is implementing extensive plans to generate thousands of megawatts of electricity.

Among them, the Azizi Group, with a $10 billion investment, is working to build power plants with a total generation capacity of 10,000 megawatts across Afghanistan. These include hydroelectric, solar, wind, and coal-fired thermal power plants, each of which can help meet the country’s growing energy demand.

In addition to these efforts, several specific hydro and solar energy projects have already been launched or are under development in different parts of the country.

With the potential to produce tens of thousands of megawatts of hydropower, along with significant solar and wind energy resources, Afghanistan is considered one of the most promising countries for clean energy. Gradual utilization of these resources could significantly reduce the nation’s long-standing dependence on electricity imports.

Currently, Afghanistan’s estimated electricity demand ranges between 5,000 and 15,000 megawatts. This figure continues to rise due to population growth, urban development, the return of migrants, and increased industrial activity.

However, domestic resources currently cover only a portion of this demand, and most of the country’s electricity is imported.

Nevertheless, with the completion of domestic power generation projects and the expansion of plant capacities, it is expected that this demand will gradually be met through internal production, with only a limited and temporary portion supplied by imports.

In this context, CASA-1000 is seen not as a permanent dependency but as a transitional and complementary bridge — one that addresses the country’s immediate energy needs while also turning Afghanistan into an important energy corridor between Central and South Asia.

According to Uzbek media reports, the Afghan section of the CASA-1000 project is expected to be completed by 2027, after which official commercial operations of this major project will begin.

The combination of this regional project with extensive domestic programs — from hydropower to solar, wind, and thermal energy — can create a new vision for Afghanistan. A vision in which the country not only achieves relative self-sufficiency in electricity production but also becomes an active player in the regional energy market.

If this trend continues, it could significantly reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on electricity imports while also generating substantial transit and economic revenues for the country.

Summary:

Afghanistan's cotton traders, supported by the UNODC Regional Office in collaboration with Uzbekistan and partner organizations, recently held talks in Tashkent aimed at expanding trade and investment in the cotton sector.

According to Bakhtar News Agency, which cited a UNODC statement, the visit was part of an effort to develop the cotton industry as a sustainable, legal alternative to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

The program included meetings with Uzbek government officials, traders, and representatives of cotton production and processing companies.

Participants highlighted the development of the cotton value chain, job creation, increased exports, and support for Afghan farmers as key strategies for fostering a legitimate economy and reducing narcotics-related activities.

Afghanistan remains one of the region’s key cotton producers and exporters. Following disruptions in trade with Pakistan, the Islamic Emirate has been seeking alternative markets, including China and Uzbekistan, for its cotton exports.

The Islamic Emirate has also intensified efforts to eradicate the cultivation, production, trafficking, and use of narcotics in Afghanistan—efforts that officials say are close to succeeding.

Experts believe that with its fertile land and long-standing experience in cotton farming, Afghanistan has the potential to become a major regional hub for cotton production and exports. This, they note, could boost regional trade while providing economic stability and better livelihoods for thousands of Afghan families.

Summary:

‎Sardar Ahmad Shakib, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, discussed the situation of Afghan migrants, particularly returnees, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a telephone conversation with Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi.

‎According to Bakhtar News Agency, during the call, the Afghan Ambassador appreciated the Chief Minister’s recent visit to the Hamza Baba Camp in Landi Kotal, as well as his directive to introduce new facilities, including the reactivation of mobile registration vehicles, and expressed hope that these services would be further expanded.
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‎Shakib also called for increasing the number of mobile registration vehicles, improving facilities at Hamza Baba Camp and other camps, the prompt release of thousands of affected migrants, and the facilitation of the return process of Afghan migrants to their country.
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‎In response, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stated that he monitors the situation of Afghan migrants, particularly the conditions at registration and holding centers, on a daily basis. He assured that the relevant authorities would be issued necessary instructions to ensure the prompt resolution of these issues.

Summary:

‎Three drinking water networks will be constructed in the Nawah and Ab Band districts of Ghazni at a cost of 22 million Afghanis.

‎
‎Mawlavi Mohammad Qasim Amini, Head of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Ghazni, told Bakhtar News Agency that the drinking water networks include the drilling of three deep wells, the construction of three reservoirs with capacities of 20 and 8 cubic meters, the installation of 29,635 meters of pipeline, and 386 water taps.
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‎He added that with the completion of these projects, 865 families in the mentioned districts will benefit from access to drinking water.