Afghanistan: General News and Discussion

[ghazi52]

First group of Afghan pilgrims returns to Kabul from Saudi Arabia​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (Ariana News): The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs has announced the first group of 346 pilgrims returned to Kabul from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after performing the Hajj rituals.

This year, around 30,000 Afghan pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

According to a statement from the ministry, these returning pilgrims are from the provinces of Kabul and Laghman.

The statement added that the process of bringing home the 30,000 Afghan pilgrims who went to Saudi Arabia for Hajj has now begun.

 

[ghazi52]

Türkiye launches $65 million wind power project in Afghanistan’s Herat Province​

The Frontier Post

HERAT (Ariana News): A major step toward renewable energy development was taken in Afghanistan as Turkish construction firm 77 Insaat broke ground on a 200-megawatt wind power project in Herat province—the first Turkish-led initiative of its kind in the country.

The initial phase of the project, valued at $65 million, will generate 43.2 megawatts of electricity.

Once completed, the full project is expected to significantly boost Afghanistan’s clean energy capacity and reduce its reliance on imported electricity.

A foundation-laying ceremony was held in Kabul, attended by key figures from Afghanistan’s interim government, including Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and several cabinet ministers.

Türkiye’s Consul General in Herat, Sinan Ilhan, and Chairman of 77 Insaat, Suleyman Ciliv, were also present, underscoring the diplomatic and economic significance of the project.

Speaking at the event, Emre Unal, Türkiye’s Commercial Counselor in Kabul, noted that Turkish companies have invested nearly $7 billion in Afghanistan across infrastructure, construction, and other critical sectors.

He said Turkish firms are committed to supporting both Afghanistan’s immediate development needs and its long-term economic resilience.

“Projects developed by our companies are not only vital for today but are laying the groundwork for Afghanistan’s future,” Unal told Anadolu Agency.

He emphasized that Turkish products and engineering services are trusted in Afghanistan, giving Türkiye a competitive edge in expanding trade and investment.

Unal also highlighted several advantages for foreign investors in Afghanistan, including low startup costs, customs duty exemptions, and a young, cost-effective labor force.

Türkiye is looking to deepen its collaboration with Afghanistan, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, mining, healthcare, agriculture, and livestock. Unal confirmed that Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade is actively working to increase bilateral economic cooperation, particularly as Afghanistan seeks to unlock its untapped natural resource potential.

 

[ghazi52]

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[ghazi52]

Uncontrolled imports must be prevented: Azizi​

by The Frontier Post

KABUL (Ariana News): Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi has called on officials at the Chamber of Commerce and Investment to prevent the uncontrolled import of goods into the country.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new head of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) in Kabul on Tuesday, Azizi said with the cooperation of the private sector, efforts are underway to grow the national economy.

“You (officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment) must elevate your nation with your own hands. We must refrain at all costs from relying on outsiders, from uncontrolled imports, and from bringing in non-essential goods. You are the ones implementing the economic policies of the Islamic Emirate,” said Azizi.

Sayed Karim Hashimi, who has assumed leadership of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment based on a decree from the leader of the Islamic Emirate, stated that he will work to develop trade, investment, and strengthen the private sector nationwide.

“I express my gratitude to the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for placing their trust in me. I commit to dedicating all my efforts toward the growth of the private sector and the Afghan economy,” said Hashimi.

ACCI is one of the country’s most important and influential economic institutions, playing a key role in developing trade, supporting the private sector, attracting investment, and facilitating domestic and international economic relations.

In the past, the executive board of this chamber was selected through internal elections by its members.

 

[ghazi52]

Taliban utility says just 40 percent of population has electricity​

by The Frontier Post

KABUL (Amu tv): Only about 40 percent of Afghans have access to electricity, according to the Taliban-run national utility, which has warned that the country could face deeper shortages this winter as imports decline.

Abdul Bari Omar, the head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, said on Tuesday that Afghanistan relies heavily on imported power, much of it from Tajikistan. But officials in Tajikistan have informed the company that they will reduce electricity exports by about 25 percent this winter because of domestic supply problems.

“Currently, Kabul and several provinces receive power from Tajikistan,” Omar said. “Based on the information we have, this winter we will receive 25 percent less than last year.” Tajikistan typically supplies about 150 megawatts of electricity annually to Afghanistan.

The shortages come as demand in Afghanistan has been rising. The utility said it connected new customers this year, distributing an additional 80 megawatts of electricity to households and businesses, which has strained the grid. Kabul residents have reported more frequent blackouts in recent weeks, with some saying the outages are longer and more severe than in previous years.

At the same briefing, the Taliban-controlled state oil and gas company reported that Afghanistan produces only 7 to 8 percent of its annual fuel needs domestically. Mohammad Nasir Rahimi, the company’s chief executive, said Afghanistan imports roughly 3.5 million tons of oil each year, while local production is limited to 600 to 700 tons a day.

Taliban had previously awarded a contract to a Chinese company to develop the Amu Darya oil field, the country’s largest, but the deal was terminated in June after nearly three years of delays and limited progress. Taliban officials said they were seeking new investors to revive the project.

 

[Fatman17]

Inside the Taliban-approved Naji-e-Bashra madrasa – a girls-only religious school on the outskirts of Kabul – a teenage girl wearing a full face covering speaks nervously. Her classmate grabs her arm beneath the table, aware that any criticism of the ruling Taliban government is ill-advised.

Imperfect though these religious institutions are, they are the only option for most Afghan girls over the age of 12 who want any education. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world that prohibits girls and women from getting general education at secondary and higher levels. https://cnn.it/3Hh83qQ

 

[ghazi52]

Weapons, ammunition depot seized in Parwan​

The Frontier Post

CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): About 15 different types of weapons and a quantity of ammunition have been seized in central Parwan province and one individual arrested in connection with this case, police said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the police headquarters said these weapons included a PIKA, a DShK, a Crankov, four Kalashnikovs, a Kolehkov, an M4, M40, an M49, three weapons, and a grenade launcher.

The seized items included 16 hand grenades, hundreds of different bullets, 50 mine fireworks, three solar, projectors and other items, the statement added.

It explained a man has been detained on the charge of smuggling these ammunitions and referred to Parwan police headquarters.

 

[ghazi52]

UN warns situation for women, girls in Afghanistan increasingly ‘untenable’​

by The Frontier Post

KABUL (Amu tv): UN Women has warned that life for women and girls in Afghanistan has become increasingly unbearable and that without urgent action, this “untenable reality” risks becoming normalized, leaving women fully excluded from society.

“The Taliban is closer than ever to achieving its vision of a society that completely erases women from public life,” the UN gender equality agency said in a statement Tuesday about four years of Taliban in power.

The warning came as the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its latest human rights report covering May to July, which details the tightening enforcement of restrictions against women and threats against female humanitarian workers.

Taliban edicts restricting women’s rights — including bans on secondary and higher education, as well as requirements for women to be accompanied by a male guardian (mahram) in public — combine to create what UN Women calls an “inescapable cycle” that forces women into private spaces and increases their vulnerability.

In some provinces, Taliban authorities have ordered businesses and health clinics to deny services to unaccompanied women, and in places like Herat, women without full-body coverings such as a “Chadari” or burqa are barred from public areas.

The impact is far-reaching. UN Women says 78% of Afghan women are now not in education, employment or training, severely shrinking the workforce in a country already crippled by sanctions and climate shocks. The agency warns these restrictions also threaten lives: banning women from higher education means fewer female doctors, while bans on treatment from male doctors in some regions mean less access to care — factors UN Women estimates could drive maternal mortality up by 50% by 2026.

UNAMA’s report also documents rising child marriage, domestic and public violence against women, and even cases where Taliban authorities enforced forced marriages. Meanwhile, 62% of women say they have no influence over decisions in their own households.

Despite the restrictions and threats — including explicit death threats against some women working for the UN in May — Afghan women continue to show resilience, the agency says, finding small ways to support each other and keep hope alive.

Since 2021, the Taliban has issued nearly 100 edicts restricting women and girls’ movements, dress, work and education. None have been repealed.

“This is not only about the rights – and futures – of Afghan women and girls,” said Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s representative in Afghanistan. “If we allow Afghan women and girls to be silenced, we send a message that the rights of women and girls everywhere are disposable. And that’s an immensely dangerous precedent.”

 

[ghazi52]

Radio Nasim to go off air after 13 years​

by The Frontier Post

KABUL (Pajhwok): Radio Nasim, which operates in central Daikundi and Bamyan provinces, has announced ceasing broadcasts after 13 years.

Radio Nasim, on its Facebook page, wrote: “After thirteen years of standing in solidarity with the people of Daikundi and Bamyan, the Radio Nasim network will be shutting down”.

However, Radio Nasim did not mention the reason for going off air, but assured its audience that it would resume activities once “conditions improve”.

 

[Foinikas]

@battalion25 is this the Afghanistan you want?

 

[krash]

What is the Afghan Taliban's side of the story?

I think they want girls to follow Hijab and other Islamic morality laws before they can go to school.

"Islamic" morality laws.

Are they preparing extensive training programs on how to wear a Hijab before they re-open their schools?

 

[Starlord]

Say Afghanistan is a Islamic Govt is like saying America is a Christian Govt, I find it insulting to relate anything or anyone from Afghan Taliban with Islam, they are purely ethnic supremacists country with laws that are even more backwards than 10,000 BC. Shalwar kameez pehne aur dari rakhne aur flag pe kalma likhne se koi Islamic govt nai ho jati.

 

[Garcia Sea]

A culture that criticizes women for not being accompanied by men is also widely seen in Western countries.
For example, in the United States, it has been reported that women traveling alone from Japan are repeatedly subjected to humiliating inspections, where they are suspected of being prostitutes, taken to separate rooms at airports, stripped naked, and even examined internally.
Note: Japan is a country that is relatively tolerant of women, and solo travel by women is considered normal.

Additionally, police officers in the United States wield significant power, and there are numerous victims of repeated incidents where underage girls are stripped naked under the guise of physical examinations on the streets.

The notion that Muslims are barbaric and the West is progressive is nothing more than a false image created by the media.

 

[FarhanSiddiqui]

Both neighbours, Iran and Pakistan, Islamic Republics, allow girls to attend schools, colleges and universities. While most the most conservative regime has taken over Afghanistan that does not allow girls attend schools. Atleast Pakistan should allow Afghan girls crossing into Pakistan to attend schools for free. Then we have idiots like Yalda Hakim who crossed into Pakistan as refugee then migrated to Australia and now an anti-Pakistan news host in major network.

 

[Distant_Observer]

Both neighbours, Iran and Pakistan, Islamic Republics, allow girls to attend schools, colleges and universities. While most the most conservative regime has taken over Afghanistan that does not allow girls attend schools. Atleast Pakistan should allow Afghan girls crossing into Pakistan to attend schools for free. Then we have idiots like Yalda Hakim who crossed into Pakistan as refugee then migrated to Australia and now an anti-Pakistan news host in major network.

Iran is just as bad.

Afghanistan is a mirror of Iran.

Same borderline dictatorial theocratic style government. Same treatment of women and minorities.

This is a tribal and cultural issue of this region.

It's abhorent and goes against all values of the civilized world.