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Afghanistan Opium Production Increased By 43%, UN Says

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Last Updated on: October 24, 2022

opium-jumboOpium production in Afghanistan has increased by 43% in the past one year, United Nations and Afghan government officials have said.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said on Sunday that Afghan opium cultivation has increased by 10% in 2016 compared to the same time in 2015 due to favorable weather, growing insecurity and declining international support for counter-narcotic operations.

“The cultivation has increased by 10 percent this year compared to the same time in 2015 — from 183,000 hectares to 201,000 hectares,” counter-narcotics minister Salamat Azimi said today while releasing the UN report.

The report further says that no eradication took place in provinces with high levels of opium poppy cultivation due to the poor security situation in those areas, as well as logistical and financial challenges.

The volatile province of Helmand remained the country’s top poppy cultivating province, followed by Badghis, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Nangarhar and Farah provinces.

Officials worry about transferring drugs production machines from foreign countries to Afghanistan.

“Some opportunist elements have recently transferred drug production machines from outside of the country into Afghanistan which is why we have withnessed a 10 percent increase in opium cultivation,” Salamat Azimi, Afghan counter-narcotics minister, said in a joint news conference with the UN in Kabul.

General Baz Mohammad Ahmadi, deputy interior minister for the counter narcotic police, said that government forces have conducted 1,263 operations during the last seven months, in which they arrested 1,408 opium traffickers and have confiscated over 237 tons of opium.

Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of the opium which is witnessing a sharp increase in production and cultivation of the substance due to the increased insecurities, weather and declining international support for counter-narcotic operations.

Reported by: Ahmad Farshad Saleh

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Afghans will never accept Durand Line fencing, says Borders Minister

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Noorullah Noori, Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders, Ethnic Affairs and Tribes, says the barbed-wire fencing along the disputed Durand Line is viewed by Afghans as a wire placed on the chest of the nation, stressing that Afghans will never accept a foreign barrier imposed on their land.

Noori made the remarks during a meeting with a number of political analysts, tribal elders and university professors at his office, where he emphasized that Afghanistan does not recognize an official border with Pakistan and that this position has been clearly communicated on multiple occasions.

Speaking at the gathering, the minister said the current governing system has emerged from among the people and that public cooperation and support have played a key role in reaching this stage.

He added that the system belongs to all Afghans and that all citizens of the country are treated equally. According to him, since the Islamic Emirate came to power, thousands of tribal and local disputes across the country have been resolved, and serious measures have been taken to safeguard the country’s borders.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali Jan Ahmad, Deputy Minister for Jirgas and Tribal Coordination at the ministry, said one of the most important factors behind the success of any society and political system is intellectual and ideological unity among the people.
He noted that such unity exists among the Afghan nation.

During the meeting, political analysts and tribal elders also emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity with the current system, stating that the people of Afghanistan will stand alongside the country’s security and defense forces to protect the nation and its territorial integrity.

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CSTO claims security risks from Afghanistan remain high

The alert was issued at the 43rd meeting of the Afghanistan working group under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers.

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The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has warned that security threats originating from Afghanistan remain high, following a review of the situation by officials and regional representatives in Moscow.

The alert was issued at the 43rd meeting of the Afghanistan working group under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, held Wednesday at the organization’s secretariat.

Delegations from CSTO member states joined representatives from the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, CIS anti-terror bodies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Participants exchanged assessments of Afghanistan’s military, political, and humanitarian situation and discussed its implications for regional stability.

In a statement, the CSTO emphasized the importance of continuing humanitarian and economic support for the Afghan population.

Officials also called for sustained monitoring of developments in the country and efforts to promote peaceful processes, aiming to reduce the risk of regional spillover.

The Moscow meeting highlights continuing concern among Central Asian and Russian-led security institutions over potential threats from Afghanistan. The CSTO has repeatedly cautioned that extremist groups could exploit various issues including porous borders, and regional tensions.

Neighboring countries remain wary of cross-border militancy, trafficking, and armed group movements. Regional security organizations have increasingly coordinated assessments, as Afghanistan—while outside formal security frameworks—continues to influence the region.

International organizations also highlight Afghanistan’s fragile humanitarian and economic situation. Millions remain reliant on aid, and reduced funding alongside the return of large numbers of Afghans from neighboring countries has intensified existing pressures.

Afghanistan has long been considered a primary external security concern for CSTO members, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The latest warning underscores that, while no immediate crisis has emerged, Afghanistan remains central to overlapping security and humanitarian challenges.

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IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans edge Delhi Capitals in last-ball thriller

The result adds important points for Gujarat as the competition intensifies, while Delhi will look to bounce back after falling just short in one of the closest matches of the season so far.

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) delivered another dramatic contest on Wednesday, April 8, as Gujarat Titans narrowly defeated Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring encounter in Delhi.

In a match that went down to the final ball, Gujarat held their nerve to secure a thrilling one-run victory. The game featured standout batting performances, including a commanding innings from Delhi’s top order, while Gujarat’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan, produced crucial breakthroughs at key moments to seal the win.

The result adds important points for Gujarat as the competition intensifies, while Delhi will look to bounce back after falling just short in one of the closest matches of the season so far.

Attention now turns to Thursday’s clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.

Kolkata will be aiming to build momentum with a strong all-round performance, while Lucknow will look to capitalise on their balanced squad and secure a key win in the early stages of the tournament. With both teams boasting explosive batting line-ups and quality bowling attacks, fans can expect another competitive and entertaining contest.

Broadcast Information

Cricket fans in Afghanistan can watch all the action live, as Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive rights to broadcast the IPL matches.

Games are being aired nationwide on Ariana Television, bringing the excitement of the tournament directly to viewers at home.

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