The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed receipt of a list of members of an Islamic Emirate delegation scheduled to travel to Brussels, with security screening for visa issuance now underway.

The delegation is expected to hold talks with the European Union focused on the return of Afghan migrants.

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner has described the visa process for Islamic Emirate officials as “somewhat complicated,” while stressing the need for constructive dialogue with the authorities in Kabul to address migration-related challenges.

Political analyst Ghous Janbaz said European countries are interested in engaging directly with Islamic Emirate representatives, including on the return of Afghan migrants who have allegedly committed crimes in Europe.

The development comes amid growing pressure on Afghan migrants across Europe in recent years, with countries such as Germany and Austria reportedly taking steps toward deporting some Afghan asylum seekers.

Afghanistan has been ranked as the seventh least peaceful country in the world in the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), remaining near the bottom of the global ranking that measures levels of peace, security, conflict, and militarization across 163 countries and territories.

The annual report, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, placed Afghanistan 157th out of 163 countries. Only South Sudan, Israel, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Russia ranked lower.

According to the report, Afghanistan’s overall peace score deteriorated by 0.5 percent over the past year, despite modest improvements in several areas. The country recorded a 1.5 percent improvement in safety and security indicators, while political instability improved by 10 percent.

The report attributed these gains largely to the Islamic Emirate’s consolidation of control over political institutions and security structures, as well as a decline in organized opposition activity. However, it cautioned that the concentration of power, political restrictions, and Afghanistan’s ongoing international isolation could pose challenges to long-term stability.

At the same time, the index recorded a 1.9 percent deterioration in Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict score. Deaths linked to external conflicts increased by 19.2 percent, a trend the report associated with clashes and rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The findings also showed that Afghanistan remains the least peaceful country in South Asia.

Elsewhere in the region, Sri Lanka registered the strongest improvement, with its peace score rising by 2.3 percent and its global ranking improving to 67th place.

Globally, the report found that peacefulness has declined for the 12th consecutive year. Of the 163 countries assessed, 99 experienced a deterioration in peace, while 62 recorded improvements. The index also noted that 119 countries are now less peaceful than they were in 2008.

The Global Peace Index identified rising armed conflicts, intensifying competition among major powers, and the spread of emerging military technologies, including artificial intelligence-based systems, as major factors contributing to the global decline in peace.

Despite limited improvements in some domestic indicators, the report concluded that Afghanistan continues to face significant and enduring challenges to achieving lasting peace and stability.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has consistently maintained that security is ensured across the country and has emphasized that Afghan territory will not be used against any other nation, particularly neighboring countries.

Religious scholars, community elders, and youth representatives gathered in Afghanistan’s western Herat province to express support for the Islamic government and emphasize the importance of national unity, security, and social harmony.

Participants at the gathering stressed that recent incidents should not become a source of division or tension among the public, underscoring the need to preserve peace and public order.

The meeting followed a recent protest by a group of young people in Herat’s 13th district against newly enforced restrictions related to Islamic dress regulations. Security forces later intervened and dispersed the demonstration.

Several attendees said public gatherings and protests could disrupt stability, arguing that security institutions have a responsibility to maintain order and prevent unrest.

Religious scholars speaking at the event warned that actions perceived as challenging public order could negatively affect security and social stability. They encouraged young people to communicate concerns through elders and community leaders to facilitate dialogue with authorities.

At the same time, some participants called for a more measured approach toward youth concerns, urging officials and community elders to listen to grievances and address them through constructive engagement. They cautioned that harsh responses could heighten social sensitivities and advocated for greater reliance on guidance and counseling in the implementation of Islamic dress regulations.

Following the protest, numerous videos circulated on social media. However, some sources claimed that several of the widely shared clips had been manipulated using artificial intelligence technologies.

Herat police said no incidents of violence were recorded during the protest and stated that some images circulating online were misleading or digitally altered.

Security officials confirmed that the situation in Herat remains calm, adding that security forces continue to maintain a presence in the area to prevent further disturbances.