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Bayat Foundation completes deep well project at Afghanistan’s Islam Qala border
According to foundation officials, the initiative was designed to meet the urgent water needs of Afghan migrants returning from Iran, many of whom arrive at the border after long and difficult journeys.
The Bayat Foundation has announced the completion and inauguration of a deep well project at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, providing thousands of returning migrants with a reliable source of clean drinking water.
The well, reaching a depth of 80 meters, was drilled and equipped in under a month and is powered entirely by solar energy.
According to foundation officials, the initiative was designed to meet the urgent water needs of Afghan migrants returning from Iran, many of whom arrive at the border after long and difficult journeys.
Haji Mohammad Ismail, deputy head of the Bayat Foundation, said: “The well has now been drilled, fully equipped, and water is pumped through solar power. As of today, the well is ready for use, and drinking water for the migrants will be provided from this source.”
Local authorities welcomed the project, describing it as a vital step in easing the hardships faced by returnees. Abdul Ghani Kamal, head of the Islamic Emirate’s service committees at Islam Qala, said: “It is very good that water has been made available for the people’s convenience. I thank the Bayat Foundation.”
Sayed Hazratullah Zaeem Agha, commissioner of Islam Qala, added: “We thank the Bayat Foundation and call on others to also provide any kind of support and facilities for our migrant brothers and sisters.”
The Bayat Foundation has played a leading role in providing humanitarian aid across Afghanistan, particularly in health, education, and emergency relief. At Islam Qala, alongside the well project, the foundation has also distributed food aid and supported the safe transportation of returnees from the border to their home provinces.
Mohammad Amin, one of the returnees, expressed his relief: “The more facilities available, the better it is for the refugees.”
Officials at the border confirmed that with the inauguration of the well, the chronic problem of water shortages has been eased, and offers much-needed relief to migrants and their families.
The project also aligns with the Islamic Emirate’s stated efforts to facilitate the return and reintegration of Afghan migrants. Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that returnees should not only be welcomed but also provided with basic services and dignified conditions as they rebuild their lives in Afghanistan.
Local officials expressed hope that the Bayat Foundation’s initiative will encourage other organizations and institutions to step forward with similar support, helping to ease the burden on vulnerable families and contributing to long-term stability in border regions.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
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