The Deputy Chief of Army Staff has underscored the importance of accurately implementing and effectively utilizing strategic plans and documents during a meeting reviewing the military’s strategic framework.
According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense’s press office, the Directorate of Studies, Evaluation, Planning, and Capabilities of the General Staff, led by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Mali Khan Sadiq, convened a session to explain and assess the strategic plan for personnel of the ministry’s central units and corps.
The meeting was attended by Mawlavi Noor-ul-Rahman Nusrat, Chief of Operations, Mawlavi Sediqullah Zulqalam, Director of Studies, Evaluation, Planning, and Capabilities, and several other relevant officials and personnel.
In his remarks, Haji Mali Khan Sadiq stressed the need for the precise execution and effective application of strategic plans and documents. He noted that making progress in operations, establishing order and coordination among departments, and achieving set objectives all require the systematic and proper use of these documents.
Omidjan Rustamov, a board member of the World Traditional Wrestling and Kurash Federation, has arrived in Kabul to take part in the International Kurash Festival.
According to the country’s National Olympic Committee, 46 athletes from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan have also arrived in Kabul for the festival.
The International Traditional Wrestling (Kurash) Festival, hosted by Afghanistan in Kabul, will begin on Thursday, April 23. The three-day event will feature 60 international athletes and 100 local competitors from seven countries.
In a rare and historic move, Afghanistan will host a global Kurash competition for the first time.
This event could serve as a turning point for sports development, strengthening regional relations, and marking Afghanistan’s return to hosting international competitions.
More than 900 repatriated families have been allocated residential plots over the past day, while nearly 700 additional households have received critical support services, according to Afghan officials.
Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, cited reports from migrant assistance agencies stating that during this 24-hour period, 449 families were relocated to their designated provinces, 506 received cash grants, and 597 registered SIM cards were distributed to returnees.
The vast majority of returnees crossed into the country via the Torkham, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala, and Pul-e-Abrisham crossing routes, where they were provided with registration, transport, financial aid, medical care, and telecommunications services.
Under the ongoing permanent resettlement program, land plots were specifically allotted to 300 families in Nangarhar, 235 in Faryab, 185 in Farah, 110 in Balkh, 54 in Helmand, and 18 in Nimroz.
Officials noted that the cumulative total of residential plots distributed to returning migrant families has now reached 47,991, with the distribution process continuing steadily across the country.
Mohammad Karim Yaqoot, Afghanistan’s long-distance running champion, competed yesterday in a 5-kilometer race held in Newcastle, England.
According to the Afghanistan National Athletics Federation, Yaqoot delivered an outstanding performance, setting a new national record in the 5km distance for himself and his country.
His previous personal best came in 2018 during national team competitions, where he clocked 16 minutes, 57 seconds, and 30 hundredths of a second.
Last year, Mohammad Bashir Abdullahi had claimed the national record in the 5km event at the Imam Reza Cup in Mashhad, Iran, finishing in 16 minutes, 18 seconds, and 82 hundredths of a second.
This time, however, Mohammad Karim Yaqoot raised the bar even higher with determined effort and improved preparation, completing the 5,000 meters in 16 minutes and 11 seconds to establish a new national benchmark.
This significant achievement marks an important milestone in the progress of Afghan athletics and stands as a proud moment for the country.
Officials of the Panjshir Department of Information and Culture have announced the discovery of a new archaeological site named “Bamiyan” in the province.
Mawlawi Nasrullah Malikzada, Head of the Panjshir Department of Information and Culture, told Bakhtar News Agency that the newly discovered site is located in the Khughar Valley of Anaba district.
He added that, according to information provided by local residents, the site is estimated to date back approximately 200 years.
He further stated that preliminary studies indicate the site dates back to the Islamic period and may have served as a watch post for the security of Silk Road trade caravans. Mawlawi Malikzada emphasized the need to dispatch professional and technical experts from the Ministry of Information and Culture to the area for further archaeological research.
He highlighted that the Panjshir Department of Information and Culture remains committed to the preservation of historical monuments and archaeological sites in the province. It is worth noting that restoration work on the Khalifa Sahib shrine is scheduled to begin within the current year.
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.
Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasea, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, met with the UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and stated that the Islamic Emirate has consistently sought to end tensions and build stronger, friendlier relations with Pakistan.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, during the meeting with Richard Lindsay, the British Special Representative, Dr. Abdul Wase expressed condolences over the loss of life resulting from recent rocket attacks by Pakistan’s military regime on Afghanistan. He stressed that tensions must cease and greater efforts be made to foster mutual trust.
Dr. Abdul Wase strongly condemned the recent attacks by Pakistani forces on residential homes and a university in Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province. He asserted that targeting civilians—especially women, children, and residential areas, can never be justified. “We have not attacked anyone, and we do not advocate violence. However, defending Afghanistan’s territory, sovereignty, and people is our legitimate right,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Office chief urged the UK Special Representative, as well as friendly nations and organizations working to ease bilateral tensions, to understand the realities on the ground and hold the responsible party accountable. He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate always seeks an end to tensions and stronger friendly relations with Pakistan. “We will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any individual or country. Pakistan must also fulfill its commitments,” he added.
Dr. Abdul Wasea also referred to Pakistan’s hosting of Afghan refugees for more than four decades, noting that Afghan migrants have respected Pakistan’s laws and regulations throughout their stay. He added that Pakistan should likewise uphold the rights of refugees and refrain from harming Afghans.
Richard Lindsay, the UK Special Representative for Afghanistan, thanked the Islamic Emirate for its peaceful stance and said that repeated messages have been delivered to Pakistan urging confidence-building measures. He added that both sides should take positive steps to create an atmosphere of goodwill. Lindsay further noted that war brings only problems and despair to both sides, and political courage and will are needed to resolve the challenges. He also called for allowing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to be transferred through Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasea stated that no obstacles have been placed on the transfer of humanitarian aid. He added, “If Pakistan takes one step toward ending tensions, the Islamic Emirate will take two steps in response.”
The Kung Fu competition titled the “Youth Solidarity Cup” commenced in Kabul, with 270 athletes representing 10 provinces across the country.
According to the National Olympic Committee, the competition was organized to promote sports, strengthen solidarity among youth, identify outstanding talents, and further develop this martial art in the country.
The competition was organized by the National Kung Fu Federation in cooperation with the General Directorate of the Olympic, Physical Education, and Sports.
Mawlavi Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, has left for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, leading an official delegation to take part in an international investment forum.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Zahid will attend the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026), which brings together government officials, investors, business leaders, and private-sector representatives from around the world.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Deputy Minister is expected to hold talks with government officials, investors, and traders from various countries to explore opportunities for expanding economic cooperation, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening Afghanistan’s trade ties with other nations.
The Ministry expressed hope that participation in the forum will help better showcase Afghanistan’s economic potential, attract new investment, and enhance the country’s economic and commercial partnerships.
Representatives from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, along with a number of Afghan businesspeople, are also expected to attend the forum and take part in meetings and events focused on trade and investment.
Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has clarified that the recently signed military-technical agreement with Moscow is not directed against any country. Instead, its sole objective is to reinforce and protect Afghanistan’s defense and security.
In a post on his X page, Mujahid reiterated remarks by Minister of Defense, stating that the agreement was reached within the framework of enhancing defense cooperation and safeguarding Afghanistan’s security interests. He emphasized that it should not raise concerns among other parties.
The spokesman further noted that if other nations are interested in concluding similar agreements with Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate is open to discussions and willing to consider such cooperation.
Mujahid added that any anxieties over the agreement are baseless, reaffirming that Afghanistan follows a policy of balanced engagement and collaboration with various countries.
Mawlavi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Afghanistan’s Minister of Defense, signed the military-technical deal with Russia on the sidelines of the Moscow International Security Conference.
On returning from Russia, the Defense Minister told reporters at Kabul Airport: “This is a military-technical agreement as experts in the field would understand. It is neither a defense pact nor a security treaty that should cause worry for anyone. It will only benefit Afghanistan.”
Naqeebullah Ahmadi, Acting Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Malaysia, met with Datuk Mohamad Yani, Deputy Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence.
The Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, announced that during the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing capacity-building, and expanding technical cooperation between Afghanistan and Malaysia.
Furthermore, the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation based on mutual interests and expressed hope that bilateral collaboration would further strengthen across various sectors.
The Committee for Land Distribution and Permanent Settlement of Migrants has announced that residential land plots were allocated yesterday to 1,048 returning migrant families across five provinces of the country.
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, shared the details today, stating that according to the committee’s report, plots were distributed to 306 families in Nangarhar Province, 210 in Faryab Province, 234 in Kunduz Province, 230 in Helmand Province, and 68 returning migrant families in Zabul Province.
This initiative is part of the ongoing permanent settlement program for returnees, and the distribution process for eligible families continues.
The committee further noted that with the latest allocations, the total number of residential plots distributed has reached 35,189, and the process is progressing rapidly.