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The Wakhan Corridor Afghanistan's Gateway to the World Amidst the towering peaks of the Pamir Mountains where geographical isolation has long hindered the movement of people and trade a new road is carving its path toward the Chinese border, bringing with it economic and strategic prospects that extend well beyond the region itself. The Wakhan-Pamir road opens a new overland gateway for Afghanistan toward China and, by extension, the rest of the world offering the country an opportunity to redraw the map of trade and transit in the region. The question now is whether this route can become a strategic corridor linking the economies of Asia, transforming Wakhan from a remote, isolated area into a vital artery for trade and development.

Firecracker Imports Banned at Customs Points Nationwide Mawlawi Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said the import of firecrackers and related items has been prohibited at the country's customs points. Speaking to Hurriyat Radio, Khyber said Ministry officials, in coordination with security and intelligence forces, have so far confiscated tens of thousands of firecrackers from markets across the country and prevented their use. According to Khyber, the measure was taken to prevent harassment of the public, and since its implementation, citizen complaints about the use of firecrackers at night have decreased significantly.

Afghan Champion Team Returns to Kabul After Winning Six-Over Cricket Tournament in Hong Kong The Afghan champion team from the six-over cricket tournament hosted in Hong Kong has arrived in Kabul.

Panjshir Emerald Auction Raises Over 6.3 Million Afghanis A spokesperson for the Panjshir provincial administration said 12,423 carats of emeralds from the province were sold for a total of 6,371,000 Afghanis in the latest bidding process. According to the spokesperson, approximately 20,000 people are currently employed—directly or indirectly—in the mining sector and related activities. He added that 17 types of minerals have been identified in Panjshir so far, and extraction has already begun for some of them.

Economic Cooperation Agreement with Russia Finalized, Signing Expected Soon A coordination meeting on economic cooperation with the Russian Federation was held under the chairmanship of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, according to a statement from his office. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs announced that a proposal to advance the operations of the Joint Economic Commission with Russia has been submitted to the leadership office of the Islamic Emirate for finalization. A document on economic cooperation with the Russian side prepared on the sidelines of a recent forum in Kazan, Tatarstan has been finalized and is set to be signed with the Russian Federation in the near future, the source said. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of decisions made during the most recent session of the Joint Economic Commission with Russia. Discussions further focused on investment opportunities and priorities across various sectors including infrastructure, trade, electricity, transport, mining, higher education, agriculture, irrigation and livestock, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, business visas, telecommunications, and information technology with specific opportunities and priorities identified.

Helmand Police Seize 80 Weapons Helmand Police Headquarters announced Tuesday that security forces discovered and seized 80 weapons of various types, along with military equipment, across Lashkargah and several districts of the province over the past three months. The seized arsenal included pistols, Kalashnikov rifles, rocket launchers, PK machine guns, and other arms, according to the headquarters. In the same period, authorities also recovered more than 8,000 rounds of ammunition, 34 communication devices, and additional military equipment. Ten individuals were arrested in connection with the weapons, and their cases have been referred to judicial and legal authorities, the police headquarters added.

Afghanistan Capable of Generating 220 Kilowatts of Solar Power Afghanistan has the potential to generate more than 220 gigawatts of solar power, despite relying on imports for over 80 percent of its electricity needs, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said. According to the UNDP, Afghanistan spends more than $280 million annually on electricity imports, while a significant portion of its population continues to lack access to a reliable power supply. The organization added that its projects have helped more than 5.5 million Afghans gain access to clean energy since 2021. Meanwhile, the operational director of Afghanistan's national power utility, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), said yesterday that only around 40 percent of the country's population has access to electricity.

Pakistan on Path to Economic Decline as National Debt Hits 91 Trillion Rupees Pakistani media have reported that the country's total public and guaranteed debt reached approximately 91 trillion rupees by the end of June 2026, according to The News. The debt increased by more than six trillion rupees over the past year, driven largely by government borrowing to fund its operations. The newspaper noted that over the last year, the Pakistani government has relied more heavily than ever on domestic banks, financial institutions, and other local sources to meet its financial requirements. A senior official from Pakistan's Ministry of Finance identified rising interest rates and the costs associated with servicing domestic debt as key factors driving the increase in the country's total debt. According to the official, the government is now required to pay significantly higher interest amounts due to increased interest rates on loans taken from domestic banks and financial institutions. Meanwhile, Pakistan's external debt has also risen over the past year—climbing from 28.06 trillion rupees to 29.35 trillion rupees, an increase of 1.29 trillion rupees. It is worth noting that Pakistani media recently reported that Pakistan has incurred a loss of $40 billion due to the closure of trade routes with India for several years.

Repatriation or Political Engagement? Paris Announces Start of Talks With Kabul French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has confirmed that France has begun in-depth discussions with officials of the Islamic Emirate. Speaking in the French Parliament, he said the talks are in their initial phase and focus on technical matters and the repatriation of Afghan migrants. Some members of the French Parliament have interpreted the discussions as a sign that a process toward normalizing relations with the Islamic Emirate may be underway. Nuñez added that some Afghan migrants could potentially pose a threat to the country and that their repatriation is a priority for the French government. The development comes as Germany had previously initiated technical discussions with the Islamic Emirate on the return of Afghan migrants; it was later revealed that certain Afghan consulates in Germany had been handed over to diplomats representing the Islamic Emirate.

Pakistan Lost $40 Billion From India Trade Suspension Noor Muhammad Qasuri, head of the Pakistan-India Trade Council, has said Pakistan has suffered an economic loss of approximately $40 billion since it suspended trade with India in 2019. Pointing to the higher costs of importing raw materials and essential goods from distant markets, he noted that the halt in trade with India has negatively affected Pakistan's textile and pharmaceutical industries. According to Qasuri, the textile industry alone has borne an additional cost of roughly $5 billion due to a decline in domestic cotton production and the need to import cotton from far-off countries. Experts observe that Pakistan has repeatedly used trade as a tool of political pressure in recent years, which has adversely affected its economic relations with neighboring countries. They believe that the complete suspension of trade with Afghanistan and India, combined with the intermittent opening and closing of trade routes with Iran, has driven up commodity prices and inflation and increased economic hardship for the people of Pakistan.

Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan Discuss Expanding Trade Ties and Establishing Trade Corridor Zainullah Hasani, Deputy for Finance and Administration of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), met with Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to Kabul, Turdakun Sydykov, to discuss expanding trade relations and establishing a trade corridor between the two countries. According to the ACCI, Hasani stressed the importance of effectively utilizing existing trade and investment potential between the two nations. The Kyrgyz ambassador, meanwhile, expressed his country's interest in expanding economic cooperation with Afghanistan and increasing the volume of bilateral trade exchanges.

Ukraine Will Continue Strikes on Russian Oil Reserves Until Patriot Missiles Arrive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is willing to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Washington delivers Patriot air defense missiles as soon as possible. In an interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot remain passive in the face of ongoing Russian attacks, and said he had discussed the matter with President Donald Trump and his vice president. Trump, who is under political pressure over a sharp rise in U.S. energy prices, had asked Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The development comes as the U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, with Zelenskyy urging that they be delivered as quickly as possible.

US Strikes Iran's Qeshm Island Foreign media outlets have reported that the United States carried out attacks on Iran's Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, on Monday evening. According to The Guardian, the strikes targeted Iranian missile systems that had been used in attacks against the United States. Iranian state media, meanwhile, reported that several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island but did not specify the cause. Separately, The Wall Street Journal claimed the strikes were defensive in nature and do not signal a resumption of large-scale U.S. military operations against Iran. Qeshm Island holds significant military and economic importance due to its strategic location in the Strait of Hormuz and was targeted by U.S. forces multiple times during the war.

Afghan Ambassador Discusses Bilateral Ties with Russian Counterpart in Kuwait Mawlawi Mohammad Shafiq Khatib, Afghanistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, held talks with Russian Ambassador Vladimir Zheltov, the Afghan Embassy in Kuwait said. The meeting addressed the expansion of political and economic relations between the two countries, Afghanistan's security and stability, recent developments, and counter-narcotics efforts. Both sides underscored their support for progress in Afghanistan and the strengthening of mutual cooperation, according to the source.

About 40% of Afghans Currently Have Electricity Access Engineer Safiullah Ahmadzai, Chief Operating Officer of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), says roughly 40 percent of the country's population currently has access to electricity. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony for two electricity supply projects in Jalalabad city and Surkh Rod district, Ahmadzai said further investment and effort are needed to ensure a sustainable power supply across the country. He also highlighted the installation of a 40-megawatt solar power plant in Sheikh Misri aimed at strengthening the power grid in Nangarhar and a 30-megawatt capacitor bank as significant projects. Meanwhile, the General Director of State-Owned Enterprises, also present at the ceremony, noted that contracts for generating 1,100 megawatts of electricity were signed last year to expand the national power grid, with practical work already underway on several of these projects.

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani: Islamic Emirate Cares for More Than 394,000 Orphans Speaking during a visit to an orphanage in Khost, Interior Minister of the Islamic Emirate Alhaj Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani stressed the importance of properly raising orphans and looking after their welfare. He said the Islamic Emirate currently provides care for over 394,000 orphans. According to Haqqani, this number includes the orphans of Mujahideen, former government soldiers, and civilians.

Badakhshan Dons Autumn Colors as Foreign Tourists Flock to See Its Scenery Badakhshan is showing off its colorful autumn attire, and these days foreign tourists are traveling to the province with full confidence to witness its beautiful natural scenery. 📷: Radio Hurriyat Reporter

DABS Signed Contracts to Generate 1,100 Megawatts of Electricity Last Year Mawlawi Ahmad Jan Bilal, General Director of State-Owned Enterprises, said during an inauguration ceremony for electricity projects in Nangarhar that a primary obstacle to industrial growth is the shortage of electrical energy, noting that the issue will soon be resolved as major national projects reach completion. Bilal mentioned that over the past year, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) has signed agreements for the generation of 1,100 megawatts of electricity—utilizing existing resources and investments—with work already underway on several of these projects. He added that the country is moving toward development and that ensuring a reliable supply of electricity is a key priority for achieving self-sufficiency.

150-Bed Mental Health Treatment Center Opens in Paktia A 150-bed treatment center for patients with mental health conditions has opened in Paktia province. Equipped with comprehensive facilities, the center is designed for the care and treatment of individuals with mental health conditions, providing essential services and medical care for these patients.

Don't Use Other Nations' Citizens as Bargaining Chips for Short-Term Gains The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has expressed concern regarding reports that the United States intends to relocate certain Afghan refugees who have not yet obtained legal residency documentation to Pakistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Islamic Emirate considers the protection of the rights of all its citizens to be its responsibility, emphasizing that Afghan nationals, wherever they may be in the world, should be treated in accordance with applicable laws, established principles, and respect for human dignity. In a statement, the Ministry urged the United States to adopt a responsible and measured approach, stressing that any decisions or actions concerning the fate of Afghan nationals must be based on clear bilateral understanding, necessary coordination, and due consideration for the rights and legitimate demands of those involved. The Ministry further emphasized that the Afghan side is prepared to engage in practical, mutually based cooperation while acknowledging existing realities and addressing the legitimate concerns of both parties. It also called upon third-party nations to refrain from using the fate of another country's citizens as a bargaining chip to secure limited, short-term concessions, and urged them to ensure their decisions and actions do not compromise human dignity, fundamental rights, or established ethical and humanitarian standards. The statement noted that the Islamic Emirate is committed to constructive engagement and cooperation regarding the dignified, safe, and voluntary return of its citizens and considers it its responsibility to ensure the rights and safety of its people.