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Heavy snowfall across Afghanistan claims 11 lives, shuts key highways
The Ministry of Public Works announced that major highways, including the Salang Pass, have been temporarily closed to traffic.
Heavy snowfall across multiple provinces of Afghanistan has resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left three others injured, authorities report.
The National Disaster Preparedness Authority said that hundreds of livestock perished and several homes were damaged due to the severe winter conditions.
The Ministry of Public Works announced that major highways, including the Salang Pass, have been temporarily closed to traffic.
Reports indicate that snow accumulation reached nearly five meters in North Salang and about three meters in South Salang. In addition, roads in Ghazni, Daikundi, Bamyan, Ghor, Khost, and Maidan Wardak provinces have also been blocked temporarily.
Despite the disruptions, the heavy snowfall has brought joy to many citizens and raised hopes for relief from the ongoing drought.
However, low-income communities continue to face significant challenges due to the harsh weather.
The severe snow and storms have also caused technical issues in the electricity line from Turkmenistan, resulting in a power outage in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Meanwhile, local authorities in Herat worked overnight to rescue hundreds of vehicles stranded on the Herat–Islam Qala, Herat–Turgundi, and Herat–Kandahar highways.
The widespread snowfall underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and highlights the risks posed by extreme winter weather to transportation, public safety, and essential services across Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan’s Swiss fund grows to $4.2 billion: Ahadi
Ahadi said the fund has not been used and will remain intact until conditions allow for its transfer to Da Afghanistan Bank, Afghanistan’s central bank.
Afghanistan’s sovereign assets held in Switzerland have grown to $4.2 billion after generating approximately $700 million in investment returns, according to Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, a member of the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA).
Speaking during the 70th online conference of the Association of Afghan Scholars and Specialists on Sunday, July 26, 2026, Ahadi said the fund has not been used and will remain intact until conditions allow for its transfer to Da Afghanistan Bank, Afghanistan’s central bank.
The conference was held under the theme, “Afghanistan’s Economic and Political Situation: Realities and Future Outlook.”
Ahadi said none of the assets have been spent since the fund was established, emphasizing that the money is being preserved for the benefit of the Afghan people.
Commenting on the remaining $3.5 billion in Afghan sovereign assets frozen in the United States, Ahadi said two U.S. courts have already ruled in Afghanistan’s favor. He expressed confidence that the third and final court would also order the release of the funds, allowing the assets to remain protected for the Afghan people.
The Swiss-based fund was established to safeguard a portion of Afghanistan’s overseas sovereign assets while efforts continue to resolve the legal status of the remaining reserves frozen in the United States.
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Afghanistan, Uzbekistan ink 22 trade agreements worth over $200 million
Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev welcomed the growing ties between the two countries, describing Afghanistan as a country undergoing significant development through major infrastructure projects.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan signed 22 trade memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth more than $200 million during the Afghan-Uzbek Business Forum held in Kabul, as the two countries pledged to expand economic cooperation and boost bilateral trade.
The forum brought together Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev, Afghanistan’s ministers of Mines and Transport, the governors of Uzbekistan’s Fergana and Tashkent regions, business leaders, and representatives of the private sector from both countries.
Addressing the gathering, Azizi said relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan had reached a new high following the visit of a high-level Uzbek delegation accompanied by around 300 private-sector representatives.
He said both countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion, adding that achieving this goal would require closer economic and commercial cooperation.
Azizi also highlighted investment opportunities in Afghanistan, saying the return of Afghan migrants has increased the need for job creation. He encouraged investors from both countries to invest in Afghanistan.
The minister said about 10,000 tonnes of Afghan cotton had already been exported to Uzbekistan on a trial basis and announced that Uzbekistan has committed to purchasing 100,000 tonnes of Afghan cotton.
Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev welcomed the growing ties between the two countries, describing Afghanistan as a country undergoing significant development through major infrastructure projects.
He said Uzbekistan has introduced measures to facilitate trade, including opening new transport routes, offering preferential tariffs, accelerating cargo movement, and establishing logistics centers to support cross-border commerce.
Khodjayev added that Afghanistan’s economic potential could play an important role in expanding trade relations between the two neighboring countries.
The forum also featured remarks from Sayed Karim Hashemi, chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and the governor of Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, who both emphasized the importance of strengthening economic and trade cooperation.
The event concluded with the signing of 22 trade agreements worth more than $200 million between private-sector representatives from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
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Afghanistan, Uzbekistan discuss expanding transit cooperation and advancing railway projects
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Works Mohammad Isa Thani and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev have discussed ways to expand economic and transit cooperation, as well as advance joint infrastructure projects between the two countries.
During their meeting in Kabul, the two sides discussed the timeline for launching feasibility studies for the Afghan-Trans railway project and emphasized the importance of accelerating progress on the regional connectivity initiative.
The development of the Torghundi port was also a key focus of the talks. Khodjayev expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to invest in expanding the port, describing it as an important step toward strengthening trade and transit links between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
The two sides also reviewed the proposed Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway project, with the Uzbek side expressing interest in investing in the initiative.
Increasing the volume of commercial cargo passing through the Hairatan port and creating better facilities for traders were among other issues discussed. Officials stressed the need to boost freight movement, enhance transit cooperation, and facilitate faster trade flows between the two countries.
The meeting also covered the transportation of goods via the Salang Highway. Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Works said major reconstruction work on the highway is progressing rapidly.
Mohammad Isa Thani said Afghanistan now provides a suitable environment for investment and that Uzbek companies can invest and operate in various sectors in accordance with Afghanistan’s laws and regulations.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Public Works’ support for joint projects aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding economic ties, improving transit connectivity, and strengthening bilateral relations, describing the cooperation as beneficial to the shared interests of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
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