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Sanctions seen as major obstacle to Afghanistan’s five-year development plan
Afghanistan’s newly unveiled five-year development strategy, intended to chart the country’s path toward economic and social progress, faces formidable challenges due to international sanctions and banking restrictions, officials and experts warn.
The strategy, announced by the Islamic Emirate, is built on three main pillars and 15 priority sectors.
Six of these focus directly on economic development, including sustainable use of natural resources, agricultural and livestock growth, energy security, improved financial management, electricity expansion, and the development of transport and transit infrastructure.
Officials from the Ministry of Economy said the plan provides a clear roadmap for the country’s future, but acknowledged that sanctions imposed by the international community and restrictions in global banking networks have severely limited implementation.
Frozen Afghan assets abroad, coupled with the absence of formal ties to global banks, continue to block investment and smooth money transfers, both of which are critical for large-scale development.
“The strategy is a unified document aimed at aligning state resources with Afghanistan’s national priorities,” a ministry spokesperson said, noting that it had been approved under the directive of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate.
Its three pillars also cover governance and international relations, as well as security and public order, alongside economic and social development.
Economic experts argue that if implemented effectively, the plan could help stabilize Afghanistan’s fragile economy, generate jobs, and reduce dependency on aid.
However, they caution that the country’s isolation from the global financial system remains a major obstacle. Without progress in easing restrictions and rebuilding international partnerships, many of the strategy’s goals may prove difficult to achieve.
Since the Islamic Emirate returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan has struggled under the weight of sanctions, with billions of dollars in assets frozen abroad.
Humanitarian aid continues to flow, but development funding — needed for long-term recovery and infrastructure — remains limited.
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.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored Afghanistan’s continued importance in regional cooperation, saying the country remains one of the key areas of interaction among regional partners.
Addressing the first summit of the “Central Asia Plus Japan” dialogue, Mirziyoyev said participating countries share a common aspiration to see Afghanistan become peaceful, stable, and oriented toward meaningful development.
The Uzbek president praised Japan’s longstanding and consistent support for Afghanistan, noting that Tokyo has for many years been among the leading donors and partners assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts and joint contributions by regional countries and Japan would help improve living standards in Afghanistan, advance socio-economic and infrastructure development, and facilitate the country’s active involvement in regional economic projects.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced on Friday that the country has allocated $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said it hopes the aid will help bring positive change to the lives of vulnerable Afghans.
According to the statement, the assistance will cover the basic humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
The embassy added that the aid will be delivered through United Nations agencies, international organizations, and Japanese non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Japan’s total assistance to Afghanistan since August 2021 has reached more than $549 million.
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