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Chinese oil deal cancelled, Afghan experts take over Amu Darya fields
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has confirmed that oil extraction in the Amu Darya basin continues without interruption, now under the management of Afghan engineers, following the recent termination of a contract with the Chinese company Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC).
According to the ministry, Afghan technical teams have stepped in to lead the operations using local expertise, ensuring the extraction process remains on track despite the withdrawal of China’s support.
“We have sufficient capacity in the extraction sector,” said Humayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. “Our Afghan engineers are leading the work wherever possible. If the need arises, we are open to partnering with foreign or private companies. However, there has been no formal interest in transferring operations to the private sector so far.”
The ministry had previously announced that the contract with CAPEIC—signed in 2023 with a pledged investment of $150 million in the first year and a projected $540 million over three years—was canceled due to repeated violations of contractual terms. Despite the termination, officials stress that extraction activities at the Qashqari oil field and other sites have not been disrupted.
The Afghanistan Crude Oil Refinery Union also reported that work at the Qashqari field is proceeding smoothly under domestic leadership.
“We call for training and the development of new capacities so that we can utilize domestic resources and workforce in oil-rich regions across the country. This can play a significant role in achieving economic self-sufficiency and boosting domestic production,” said Zabihullah Nazari, the union’s deputy head.
Economic analysts view this shift toward domestic control as a potential turning point for Afghanistan’s resource sector. Experts say leveraging local capacity in oil and gas can reduce reliance on foreign companies, foster national resilience, and contribute to long-term sustainable development.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that security risks in Central Asia and developments in Afghanistan are among the primary concerns for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The CSTO is a regional military alliance that includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Speaking in Moscow during a meeting with CSTO Secretary-General Taalatbek Masadykov, Lavrov described the region’s security challenges as “central” to the organization’s agenda.
“The problems that are currently among the central ones for the CSTO are new challenges and threats. I am referring to the situation in the Central Asian region of collective security, as well as everything related to what is happening in Afghanistan,” he said.
He praised Masadykov as “one of the leading experts” on Central Asian security, noting that his experience could enhance coordination and increase the effectiveness of allied actions.
Similar to NATO, the CSTO considers an attack on one member state as an attack on all.
Countries in the region have always expressed concern about security threats from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed these concerns and assured that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against another country.
The Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan has announced that the leader of the Islamic Emirate has approved the establishment of a faculty dedicated to “Prophetic Medicine.”
According to the ministry, this new faculty will play a vital role in advancing medical sciences and training skilled healthcare professionals across the country.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, has announced that the long-delayed demarcation and renovation of border markers along the Afghanistan–Iran frontier will officially begin in the near future.
According to a statement from the ministry, Noori made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, Ali-Reza Bikdeli.
He assured the Iranian side that the Islamic Emirate is fully committed to accelerating the process and resolving any challenges that may arise during implementation.
In a separate statement, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul said Bikdeli underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation on border issues, describing it as a key factor in strengthening and expanding overall relations between the two countries.
Officials from both sides agreed nearly three months ago to resume the border-marker renovation project, which had remained stalled for the past seven years.
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