The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Ambassador Dr Tarig Ali Bakheet, has briefed ambassadors and heads of mission from OIC member states in Kabul on the outcomes of his official visit to the country.

The briefing followed meetings with Afghanistan’s authorities and international partners, focusing on humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism efforts, healthcare, education and measures to improve livelihoods.

According to the OIC, discussions also explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian and development challenges.

Bakheet emphasised the need for OIC member states to coordinate their efforts and maintain cooperation to support the Afghan people, particularly in meeting the country’s ongoing humanitarian needs and development priorities.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for diplomats to exchange views on the OIC’s current activities in Afghanistan and discuss potential areas for future engagement.

The OIC, a grouping of Muslim-majority countries, has continued to engage on Afghanistan through diplomatic contacts and humanitarian initiatives, with a focus on supporting the population and addressing the country’s social and economic needs.

The briefing comes as Afghanistan continues to face significant humanitarian and economic challenges, making international assistance and coordination important for the delivery of essential services and the improvement of livelihoods.

Hayatullah Muhajir Farahi, Deputy Minister for Publications Affairs at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture, says Durand Line crossings will remain closed until Islamabad accepts the demands of the Afghan people.

Farahi made the remarks at a seminar aimed at strengthening the intellectual, ideological and professional capacities of journalists in Laghman province.

He criticized Pakistan’s military leadership, accusing it of taking “shameful actions” and being unable to tolerate the progress of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

Farahi also said the IEA does not seek war, stressing that armed conflict benefits neither side. However, he warned that the IEA would defend Afghanistan if the country came under attack and would respond at an appropriate time.

His remarks come amid tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with airstrikes continuing to affect relations between the two neighboring countries.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed reducing 60 posts at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) while allocating an additional $3.2 million to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan under the UN’s proposed 2027 programme budget.

Presenting the proposed budget to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, Guterres said the post reductions were part of broader adjustments to the UN’s special political missions and wider efforts to improve efficiency and align resources with the organization’s mandates.

The proposed budget includes a net reduction of seven posts across the relevant budget areas, following 116 post reductions, partly offset by the creation of 84 new posts and the conversion of 25 others. Of the proposed cuts, 60 posts are at UNAMA and 44 at the UN Integrated Office in Haiti.

Guterres also proposed an additional $3.2 million for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, following its initial establishment phase in 2026.

He said the additional funding would support the mechanism’s operations through further staffing and non-staff resources.

The mechanism is intended to support investigations into serious international crimes committed in Afghanistan, in line with its mandate.

The proposed UN programme budget for 2027 amounts to $3.302 billion, excluding major construction projects in Nairobi and Geneva. Including those projects, the total rises to $3.408 billion, representing a reduction of about 1.2 percent, or $40.8 million, compared with the approved 2026 budget.

Guterres said the budget reflects the UN’s ongoing reform efforts to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and ensure that resources are directed towards delivering its mandated programmes.