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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.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has ranked seventh among 45 airlines in Central Asia in Skytrax’s 2026 rankings.
Company officials say Ariana Afghan ranked eighth on the list in 2025, but moved up one place this year following improvements in service quality and the expansion of its operations.
According to the officials, in 2026 the airline met criteria including service quality, flight safety, professional cabin crew, and experience in the aviation sector, placing it among the top 10 airlines in Central Asia.
Skytrax is an international organization that evaluates and ranks the quality of services in the aviation industry and airlines, assessing and ranking carriers annually based on specific criteria.
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Silk Road highway in Wakhan corridor now reaches the China border
The road is expected to be officially opened for use in the near future, potentially improving connectivity through the remote Wakhan Corridor.
The construction of the Silk Road Highway in Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor has been fully completed after five years of work, officials in Badakhshan province said.
Amanullah Chehra, head of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Badakhshan, said the 121.13-kilometre road begins in the Barghil area and stretches to Bzai Gonbad near the Chinese border.
According to officials, the road is between 7 and 10 metres wide and includes three major bridges, each measuring approximately 20 to 22 metres in length. Numerous smaller drainage structures have also been built along the route to facilitate the flow of water.
The road is expected to be officially opened for use in the near future, potentially improving connectivity through the remote Wakhan Corridor.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, met on Wednesday with Bruno Lemarquis, UNAMA’s Deputy Head for Humanitarian Affairs, to discuss the situation of Afghan returnees and humanitarian assistance.
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said Lemarquis briefed the minister on assessments conducted by UN agencies during visits to several provinces to identify the needs of returnee families.
Lemarquis said joint cooperation between UN agencies and the Islamic Emirate is needed to support and resettle returnees. He added that UN agencies are currently assisting thousands of families and called for the expansion of humanitarian assistance.
He also said the international community should pay greater attention to the needs of Afghans, adding that UNAMA is ready to cooperate in addressing challenges facing returnees.
Abdul Kabir welcomed UNAMA’s support and thanked the United Nations for its assistance to Afghans. He said various government institutions have been tasked with addressing returnees’ needs.
The minister also called on aid organizations to continue supporting returnee families, saying a program to resettle thousands of internally displaced families is also underway.
Kabir further said the necessary facilities have been provided for UN agencies to operate and that the Islamic Emirate welcomes UNAMA’s humanitarian cooperation.
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