Afghanistan and Tajikistan have discussed increasing electricity imports and expanding cooperation in the energy sector, including plans for a new 500-kilovolt transmission line.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) CEO Abdul Haq Hamkar and Muhammad Umar Asuzoda, chairman of Tajikistan’s state electricity company Barq Tajik.

The two sides discussed increasing the volume of electricity supplied by Tajikistan to Afghanistan, expanding transmission infrastructure and improving the quality and voltage of electricity.

They also discussed electricity tariffs, investment opportunities, technical training and longer-term cooperation in the energy sector.

Tajik officials briefed the Afghan delegation on plans to construct a 500kV electricity transmission line and expressed readiness to consider Afghanistan’s request for increased electricity supplies.

The two sides agreed that their technical and commercial teams would continue negotiations and work toward practical outcomes on the issues discussed.

DABS said it remains committed to maintaining strong relations with Tajikistan, adding that greater energy cooperation, increased electricity exchanges and practical infrastructure projects could benefit people in both countries.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice has announced the publication of new regulations governing the Afghanistan Ulema Council in the country’s official gazette.

According to the ministry, the regulations were drafted and issued by the leader of the Islamic Emirate and set out the structure, powers, responsibilities and duties of the council within the country’s Islamic system.

The document comprises a preamble, two chapters, two sections and 22 articles.

Under the regulations, provincial and district Ulema councils will consist of a chairman, deputy chairman, administrative officer and financial officer, with additional members appointed according to need.

Council members must be Islamic scholars or respected community figures regarded as righteous, religious and trustworthy, and must have sufficient knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and social affairs.

The regulations assign the councils a range of responsibilities, including defending and protecting the Islamic Emirate, promoting public awareness of the importance of the Islamic system and strengthening public support for it.

The councils are also tasked with helping improve the conduct and activities of government officials, strengthening trust between authorities and the public, raising awareness among young people and cooperating with government institutions.

The Ministry of Justice said the regulations have now been formally published in the official gazette.

The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul and handed him a formal protest over the alleged entry of armed and hostile elements across the Durand Line toward Nuristan.

The move follows an operation announced by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense two days earlier in Kamdesh district of Nuristan, in which it said 28 people were killed and 32 others captured.

In its statement, the Defense Ministry said several groups affiliated with Daesh and what it described as “Shar-o-Fasad” elements had crossed into Afghan territory with the support and encouragement of Pakistani militias. It claimed the groups were seeking to carry out acts of subversion and create insecurity.

The ministry also alleged that Pakistani military personnel, Pakistan-affiliated “Arbaki” forces and Daesh elements were involved in coordinating with the groups, but fled the area after Afghan forces launched their operation.

According to the Defense Ministry, some of those involved were former military personnel who served under Afghanistan’s previous government. It alleged that Pakistani intelligence agencies had taken some of them to Pakistan after promising assistance with asylum and employment abroad, before transferring them to military camps along the Durand Line for training and subsequently sending them into Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the individuals involved in the latest incident, including Daesh-affiliated elements, attempted to cross into Afghanistan with what it described as direct support and guidance from Pakistan’s military authorities. Afghan security forces prevented them from entering the country, it said.

The ministry also accused Pakistan of facilitating the recruitment, organization, training and equipping of hostile elements on its territory before directing their deployment across the Durand Line.

It said such actions, in the Islamic Emirate’s view, violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and run contrary to Islamic, international, humanitarian and good-neighborly principles.

The ministry warned that Pakistan’s military authorities would bear full responsibility for any consequences if such actions continue.

Pakistan has rejected allegations of involvement by its security and intelligence forces in the Nuristan incident, describing the claims as baseless.