Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has said that Afghanistan is looking to strengthen health-sector cooperation with India, as relations with Pakistan have cooled and the country seeks alternative partners to meet its medical needs.

Speaking during his visit to India, Jalali said his primary focus is combating disease and improving public health, stressing that he is ready to seek assistance and cooperation from any country willing to help Afghanistan in this regard.

“My enemy is disease,” Jalali told reporters. “I will shoot at it from anywhere it is possible.”

He said the purpose of his visit is to open a new chapter of cooperation between Afghanistan and India.

Jalali noted that a significant portion of Afghanistan’s medicine requirements had previously been met by Pakistan. However, amid strained relations with Islamabad, the Islamic Emirate is now exploring alternative options to ensure the steady supply of essential medicines. He added that India could serve as a key partner.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran will facilitate trade and economic exchanges with Afghanistan, including easing procedures at customs and local marketplaces.

He made the remarks during a televised interview following his visit to South Khorasan province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.

Pezeshkian, in a separate event addressing local business leaders, highlighted the province’s strategic advantages, citing its rich mineral resources, proximity to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, and access to the ocean via the Chabahar port. He described the region as “a golden opportunity not found everywhere,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth and cross-border commerce.

Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad to convey “strong demarche” over a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan District that killed four Pakistani soldiers.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack was carried out by a faction of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The statement said that Pakistan conveyed “grave concern over the continued support and facilitation” provided by the Islamic Emirate to TTP.

Pakistan has demanded “a full investigation and decisive action against the perpetrators and facilitators of the terrorist attacks launched against Pakistan from Afghan soil.”

It urged the Islamic Emirate “to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terror groups operating from its territory, including their leadership, and deny the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.

According to the statement, the Islamic Emirate has been “categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are originated from Afghan soil, a charge the Islamic Emirate denies.