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Interest of $270 million earned so far from Afghanistan’s frozen assets

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Anwar ul-Haq Ahady, a member of the board of directors of the Afghanistan Trust Fund (ATF) in Switzerland, says the fund has so far earned $270 million in interest.

Ahady told Radio Azadi on Wednesday that this interest, earned from the $3.5 billion, can be used in Afghanistan if necessary.

“Some projects, some basic expenses of the government or the government that they do not have the power to pay and are necessary for the people of Afghanistan are also used there. But in any case, four members of the board must fully agree for such expenses.

“In the last meeting, more than a month ago, on January 29, a decision was made that if the Afghan government cannot pay the loan of the Asian Bank … and they insist that we pay, then it is possible to use this money.

“Because the Asian Bank provides humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and we do not want the humanitarian aid of the Asian Bank to be cut off. Of course, the same ruling was in the case of the World Bank, but this loan was paid by the government itself, so there was no need for us,” Ahady told Liberty radio.

At the same time, Ahady said all four board members need to agree to the spending of this money.

Turkish TRT news channel said in a report on Wednesday that the officials involved in the discussions about the spending of the money of the Afghanistan Trust Fund say for the stability of Afghanistan’s ruined financial system, it is necessary to release this money.

But according to reports, the four board members, Dr. Anwar ul-Haq Ahady, Dr. Shah Mehrabi, Dr. Jay Shambaugh, and Ambassador Alexandra Baumann, could not agree on how to spend the money, almost 18 months after the establishment of the fund.

A source told TRT that while all board members agree that this money should not be touched, the interest earned should go towards helping the people of Afghanistan.

After the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in August 2021, $7 billion belonging to the Central Bank of Afghanistan was frozen in the United States, half of which has been invested in a Swiss trust account.

The other half and is earmarked to be paid over to the families of 9/11 attacks.

The Islamic Emirate has however tried unsuccessfully to have the fund released.

During the republic, Da Afghanistan Bank, which was responsible for the country’s monetary stability, kept this capital abroad as a monetary support.

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High-level Kyrgyz delegation arrives in Kabul

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The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced on Tuesday that a high-level delegation from Kyrgyzstan has arrived in Kabul.

According to the ministry’s statement, the purpose of the delegation’s visit is to expand economic cooperation and increase trade and investment between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

The statement added that during the visit, the Kyrgyz delegation will meet with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and participate in the Trade Communication Conference as well as bilateral meetings.

The delegation will also visit industrial facilities and various enterprises operating in Afghanistan.

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Russia calls for broad engagement with Afghan authorities

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Russia has urged the international community to adopt a comprehensive and non-politicized approach toward Afghanistan, emphasizing dialogue, regional cooperation, and practical support to stabilize the country and prevent further security deterioration.

Speaking at a recent UN Security Council meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, said that contrary to Western predictions following the withdrawal of foreign troops, Afghanistan did not collapse. He argued that despite ongoing sanctions, Afghan authorities are making efforts to address long-standing challenges and pursue regional cooperation aimed at building a self-reliant state, though he acknowledged the process would take time and require international support.

Nebenzia said Russia continues to back the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and supports initiatives such as the Doha Process, which promotes engagement with the Islamic Emirate and Afghanistan’s gradual reintegration into global affairs. He stressed that constructive dialogue with the Afghan authorities is essential and warned against what he described as pressure, ultimatums, or sanctions-driven approaches, saying these could harden positions and undermine UN efforts on the ground.

The Russian envoy said regional players, including members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), share the view that engagement is the only viable path forward.

He also called for progress on unfreezing Afghan assets and expanding development assistance, warning that failure to do so could lead to a further drawdown of the UN presence in the country.

On security, Nebenzia expressed concern about ongoing terrorist threats, particularly from Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), also known as Daesh, noting that the group continues to receive external funding and recruit foreign fighters, including individuals with combat experience from Syria and Iraq.

He also raised alarm over uncertainty surrounding weapons left behind by NATO forces and warned of the growing production of synthetic drugs, which he said is closely linked to terrorism.

Nebenzia said Russia supports dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid rising tensions linked to militant activity, urging both sides to expand cooperation, especially on counterterrorism.

He also highlighted the worsening socio-economic situation in Afghanistan and praised humanitarian agencies for continuing their work despite funding cuts. Russia, he said, remains engaged in providing assistance and expanding cooperation with Afghanistan in political, security, and economic fields.

The Russian envoy reiterated Moscow’s support for the rights of all Afghans and the formation of an inclusive government, calling for respect for fundamental freedoms, including access to education and employment, without discrimination.

Nebenzia concluded by urging the UN to engage with Afghanistan’s “real authorities” to help resolve the country’s challenges and support its reintegration into the international community.

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Afghanistan’s public health minister begins official visit to India

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Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has embarked on an official visit to India at the invitation of the Indian government, leading a delegation from the ministry.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health said the visit is aimed at strengthening health cooperation between the two countries, promoting the exchange of expertise, and coordinating joint health programs.

During the trip, Jalali is expected to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly those from the health sector, and take part in a series of pre-arranged engagements.

Discussions will focus on capacity building for Afghan health workers, the import of standard medicines to Afghanistan, access to medical equipment, and other areas of cooperation.

The ministry said the visit is intended to open a new chapter in health collaboration between Afghanistan and India, with a focus on improving healthcare services and professional development.

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