The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to Afghans and Muslims worldwide, calling for unity, charity, and continued support for the country’s Islamic system.

In a message released to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Akhundzada congratulated the “Mujahid and devout people of Afghanistan” and prayed that God would accept the fasting, prayers and other acts of worship performed during the month.

He urged Muslims to use the occasion of Eid to strengthen compassion and social solidarity, stressing the importance of Zakat-ul-Fitr and encouraging wealthy individuals to assist widows, orphans and poor families so they can also celebrate the holiday.

“On this blessed day Muslims should remove hatred and resentment from their hearts, forgive one another and exchange Eid greetings,” the statement said.

Emphasis on unity and security

Akhundzada said Afghanistan currently enjoys improved security compared with past decades of conflict and credited the sacrifices of IEA fighters for what he described as stability under the Islamic Emirate.

He called on Afghans to support the country’s security forces and maintain unity, warning against ethnic, linguistic or regional divisions.

“The honor and dignity of Muslims depend on unity and brotherhood,” he said, adding that Afghans should remain vigilant against what he described as “plots of enemies.”

Support for Islamic governance

In his message, the IEA leader urged officials and citizens to cooperate with government institutions, including the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which he said is working to prevent corruption and strengthen Islamic values in society.

He also called on religious scholars to play a greater role in guiding young people and promoting religious education across the country, including through mosques and community gatherings.

Akhundzada encouraged authorities to pursue development alongside religious governance, noting that construction, land cultivation and public services are responsibilities of the Islamic system.

International relations

The supreme leader said Afghanistan seeks positive relations with the Islamic world and constructive engagement with other countries based on Islamic principles, while urging foreign governments to respect Afghan beliefs and refrain from interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

He also expressed solidarity with Muslims facing hardship around the world and condemned violations of their rights.

The message concluded with Eid greetings to Muslims globally and prayers for unity, peace and prosperity for the Muslim community.

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is one of the most important religious holidays for Muslims worldwide.

The World Food Programme (WFP) says it has launched a large-scale emergency response to assist communities in Afghanistan affected by the recent conflict along the disputed Durand Line with Pakistan, delivering life-saving food aid to thousands of displaced families.

According to the UN agency, more than 20,000 families forced from their homes by the fighting are receiving immediate food assistance. The initial response includes fortified biscuits to meet urgent nutritional needs, followed by two months of food or cash assistance for the most vulnerable households.

WFP said it will also distribute specialized nutrition products for children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women to help address rising malnutrition.

Despite ongoing security risks, WFP has resumed operations in most border areas and is expanding assistance across eight provinces. The response begins in eastern Afghanistan in Nuristan, Kunar, and Nangarhar, before extending south to Paktia, Khost, and Paktika, and continuing to Zabul and Kandahar along the country’s southern border, WFP noted in a statement.

“This is crisis upon crisis: after enduring shocks like job losses and earthquakes, families already struggling with hunger—many with malnourished mothers and children—now find themselves on the frontlines of conflict,” said John Aylieff, WFP country director in Afghanistan. He warned that further instability could push millions deeper into hunger while increasing pressure across the region.

The humanitarian response is also facing major logistical challenges. WFP says the closure of the Afghanistan–Pakistan crossing since October and the wider conflict in the Middle East have disrupted supply routes and complicated aid delivery.

To keep food assistance moving, the agency is working to activate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, a trade route linking Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan to Afghanistan. While the corridor provides an alternative supply line, WFP said it involves longer delivery times and significantly higher costs.

Additional pressure on Afghanistan’s markets is coming from a recent ban on food and agricultural exports from Iran, which WFP says is already driving up prices.

If the restrictions continue, shortages of essential goods could emerge first in border regions before spreading nationwide as supplies decline.

Humanitarian officials warn that Afghanistan is now facing three overlapping crises: escalating tensions along the Durand Line, the regional impact of the conflict involving Iran, and a worsening hunger emergency.

WFP estimates that one in three Afghans—around 17.4 million people—currently require urgent food assistance, while 3.7 million children are expected to need treatment for malnutrition in 2026.

The agency says Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe hunger hotspots and is appealing for urgent international support to sustain life-saving operations.

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, providing emergency food assistance and supporting communities recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate-related shocks.

Pakistan’s National Democratic Movement (NDM) has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan  , including women and children, in recent aerial bombardments.

In a joint statement shared on social media, the party and its supporters warned that the continued loss of civilian lives is worsening instability and undermining prospects for peace. The group called on all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and avoid actions that could escalate violence further.

According to the statement, the increasing attacks on populated areas are causing widespread fear among communities and raising humanitarian concerns. The movement stressed that civilians must not become victims of political or military confrontations.

NDM urged authorities and all stakeholders to exercise restraint and seek peaceful solutions to ongoing disputes. The party emphasized that stability and security can only be achieved through dialogue and respect for human life.

The statement also called on the international community and relevant organizations to closely monitor the situation and support efforts aimed at preventing further civilian suffering.

The National Democratic Movement, founded by former parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar, has frequently spoken out on security and humanitarian issues affecting communities in Pakistan’s tribal regions.