Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov says strengthening security along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan is among Moscow’s security and defence priorities.

Speaking in Moscow on Tuesday, September 8, at an event marking the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence, Belousov said Russia and Tajikistan maintain close military cooperation and that Russia’s 201st Military Base in Tajikistan remains on alert to counter external threats.

“We are actively expanding collective security formats within the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States, while paying particular attention to strengthening Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan,” Belousov said.

He described Tajikistan as a strategic partner and said Moscow was continuing to strengthen security cooperation with Dushanbe.

The remarks come amid increased security and defence coordination between Russia and Tajikistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week, during a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, that Moscow was aware of Dushanbe’s concerns over the situation in Afghanistan.

Putin also said the two countries remain in close contact on security issues linked to regional stability.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has also placed a comprehensive programme to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border on its agenda. Under the programme, the organization is expected to provide military and technical equipment to enhance Tajikistan’s border security capabilities.

Russia and Tajikistan have expanded security cooperation in recent years, with a focus on potential threats from Afghanistan. Moscow regards its military presence in Tajikistan as a key element of its defence partnership with Dushanbe.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly said it will not allow any group to use Afghan territory to carry out attacks against neighbouring countries.

Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has described Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghan medical and dental students as “inhumane” and “regrettable,” urging Islamabad to reconsider the move.

Speaking at a government press conference in Kabul, Mujahid called on Pakistan to allow Afghan students to remain in the country and complete their studies.

He said Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education is also prepared to accommodate students forced to leave Pakistan and enrol them in medical and dental institutions inside Afghanistan.

The comments follow a September 1 directive from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) ordering Afghan nationals already enrolled in medical and dental programmes to return to Afghanistan. Pakistani institutions were also instructed to complete the necessary administrative procedures and facilitate the students’ departure.

The PMDC further barred new admissions, transfers, migrations and other educational facilities for Afghan nationals during the current academic year and until further notice.

The council has not disclosed how many Afghan students are currently studying medicine and dentistry in Pakistan. It also remains unclear whether students nearing graduation will be exempt from the directive.

The decision comes amid worsening relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Islamabad continuing efforts to return Afghan nationals from the country.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education has assured Afghan students and professors currently studying or working at universities abroad, and facing forced return, that necessary facilities will be provided for them to continue their education and academic activities inside the country.

In a statement, the ministry said students would be given opportunities to continue their studies in Afghanistan, while professors would be provided with opportunities to continue their professional and academic work.

The ministry also pledged to address the challenges faced by Afghan students and provide the necessary arrangements to enable them to pursue their education within Afghanistan.

The announcement comes as some Afghan students and academics abroad face the prospect of returning to the country amid changing immigration and residency policies in host countries.

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), says many Afghan families returning from Pakistan have arrived in Afghanistan with almost no belongings, while cuts in humanitarian assistance are severely limiting aid operations.

Egeland made the remarks following a recent visit to Afghanistan, where he met with several families who had returned from Pakistan.

In a post on X, Egeland said many of the returnees had come back to Afghanistan with virtually nothing.

He said he also met mothers who were struggling to meet their children’s basic needs and who were seeking opportunities for their daughters to receive an education.

The NRC chief expressed concern over declining humanitarian assistance and a shortage of funding for the organization’s operations in Afghanistan.

According to Egeland, despite the scale of humanitarian needs across the country, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s humanitarian operations have been severely restricted due to a lack of financial resources.

The warning comes as humanitarian organizations continue to face growing pressure to support vulnerable Afghan families amid limited funding and increasing needs.