Business
IEA issues new decree to regulate street vendors, boost urban order
The decree mandates that all municipalities adhere to urban planning standards in managing street vending activities.
The leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has unveiled a new decree designed to regulate the operations of street vendors in cities across the country. The initiative seeks to create a more organized urban environment while simultaneously supporting small-scale entrepreneurs.
The decree mandates that all municipalities adhere to urban planning standards in managing street vending activities. Municipalities are instructed to designate specific areas for vendors, ensuring they have clearly marked and organized spaces to conduct business. These designated zones will be monitored to ensure compliance with both health and safety standards.
As part of the formalization of the street vending sector, vendors will be required to register and receive identification cards at no cost. The government aims to create a centralized database to track vendors’ personal details, the nature of their businesses, and their exact operating locations. This move is also intended to aid in ongoing monitoring, ensuring vendors comply with regulations and do not sell prohibited or expired goods.
In addition to these registration requirements, the decree stipulates that vendors must adhere to several conditions. These include maintaining cleanliness at their assigned spaces, refraining from selling illegal products, and avoiding the use of loudspeakers to attract customers.
To ensure compliance, the decree includes a system of enforcement. Vendors who violate the rules will first receive a written warning, while repeat offenders risk having their operating rights revoked. Authorities are committed to ensuring the decree’s effectiveness, with ongoing monitoring and corrective actions.
This new regulation represents a significant step in formalizing the street vending sector, supporting small businesses, and bringing a greater sense of order to Afghanistan’s urban areas.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, chief of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan political party, has called for the immediate reopening of crossings along the disputed Durand Line and the regularisation of trade with Iran, warning that prolonged border restrictions are worsening economic hardship for communities on both sides.
Speaking at a public gathering in Zhob, in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Rehman said restoring cross-border trade was essential for reviving Pakistan’s struggling economy and reducing pressure on ordinary citizens already grappling with inflation and unemployment.
He proposed the formation of a joint committee made up of tribal elders, business leaders and local representatives to help restore trade, resolve disputes and maintain stability along the border region.
Rehman also called for the establishment of special trade zones along the Durand Line to facilitate legal commerce and create employment opportunities in areas heavily dependent on cross-frontier movement.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader criticised current management policies, alleging that crossings were being opened selectively for the benefit of a small group of traders while thousands of transport workers, merchants and families continued to suffer financially from the closures.
Major crossings along the Durand Line have remained largely shut since October 11 following intense clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces and Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that reportedly killed dozens of people on both sides.
The violence sharply escalated already strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan-based militants of carrying out cross-border attacks, claims the Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied.
The prolonged restrictions have severely disrupted trade and travel between the two countries, particularly affecting frontier provinces where local economies rely heavily on the movement of goods, fuel and agricultural products.
Traders and transport unions in both Afghanistan and Pakistan have repeatedly warned that continued closures are causing heavy financial losses and worsening shortages in some areas.
Several major international pharmaceutical companies could invest in medicine production in Afghanistan as part of growing cooperation between UN agencies and Afghan authorities, who hope to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The development was highlighted during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Din Mohammad Hanif, and UNICEF Representative Tajudeen Oyewale, where discussions focused heavily on improving healthcare access and expanding pharmaceutical capacity.
UNICEF officials indicated that several global drug manufacturers are preparing to coordinate with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health on establishing or supporting local medicine production.
The aim is to improve the availability of essential medicines for humanitarian operations while also strengthening supply in domestic markets.
The proposed investments are expected to reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals and improve access to essential treatments, particularly in areas affected by economic hardship and ongoing humanitarian needs.
Alongside the pharmaceutical plans, UNICEF reaffirmed its continued commitment to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, including programmes addressing food insecurity, climate-related pressures, and support for returning migrants.
According to figures discussed in the meeting, $520 million has been requested from international donors to support returnees. Of this, $100 million is allocated for emergency assistance, while $420 million is intended for longer-term resettlement and reintegration support.
Afghan authorities welcomed the prospect of expanded pharmaceutical investment, with Din Mohammad Hanif stressing the importance of development cooperation, job creation, and increased international engagement to support economic stability.
Officials said strengthening the pharmaceutical sector could become a key pillar in Afghanistan’s broader efforts to improve healthcare resilience and move toward greater self-sufficiency in essential medical supplies.
Afghanistan has sharply increased imports of grain from Kazakhstan, with deliveries rising 2.3-fold between September 2025 and May 20, 2026, according to Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry.
During that period, Kazakhstan exported around 3 million tons of grain to Afghanistan, compared to 1.3 million tons in the same period a year earlier.
The increase comes as Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry said this week that wheat imports into the country have risen by 345% following changes in customs tariffs aimed at supporting domestic production. According to the ministry, tariffs on imported wheat flour were gradually increased from 5% to 8%, while duties on wheat imports were reduced to encourage local flour processing.
Officials said nearly 198,000 tons of wheat were imported during the first two months of the 1405 fiscal year, compared to 44,000 tons during the same period last year. The ministry added that the policy has helped expand operations at domestic flour factories, increase local production, and create more job opportunities.
Tahawol: Islamic Emirate defense minister’s visit to Russia
Saar: Calls to expand Afghanistan-Qatar ties discussed
More than 220 riders launch Hellas Rally Raid 2026 in Greece
Afghanistan expands drug imports as Russian pharma company enters market
Russia claims Asia-based drug network expanding toward Russia and the West
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Afghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Afghanistan launches first 5G trial in Kabul to boost telecom services
Large blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
Tahawol: Islamic Emirate defense minister’s visit to Russia
Saar: Calls to expand Afghanistan-Qatar ties discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan-Japan relations reviewed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries, incl Russia and China discussed
Saar: Shahbaz Sharif’s trip to China
-
Latest News3 days agoChina restricts export of chemical substances to Afghanistan
-
Business2 days agoMajor pharma firms eye investment in Afghanistan
-
World4 days agoOne dead, 36 injured in explosion at New York dry dock
-
Sport4 days agoMohammadi crowned champion of 2nd season of Ariana Snooker Championship
-
Latest News2 days agoDeadly shooting near Kabul’s Sarai Shahzada leaves four dead
-
Latest News4 days agoBritain says recognition of IEA conditional on women’s rights, counterterrorism
-
Sport5 days agoChennai Super Kings eliminated as Gujarat Titans register record IPL victory
-
Regional2 days agoAt least 24 killed in deadly train bombing in Pakistan’s Balochistan