Afghanistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Nada Mohammad Nadeem, says the Islamic Emirate is committed to recruiting skilled professionals and creating job opportunities for university graduates.

Nada Mohammad Nadeem made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for students at Nangarhar University. He urged graduates to further strengthen their expertise and use their knowledge and skills in service of the people and the country’s development.

Nadeem stressed that the Islamic Emirate is not only focused on religious schools, but is also working to advance Afghanistan in all sectors.

“We are committed in the field of engineering, we are committed in the field of medical, and we are committed in the field of religious education as well… We want to build our country in every sector,” Nadim said.

He also emphasized support for the system, adding that Muslims around the world respect the courage and independence of the Afghan people.

He stated: “Muslims across the world believe that Afghans are a freedom-loving people, protectors of Islam, and a nation that does not sell its freedom to anyone.”

A total of 2,200 students graduated in different fields from Nangarhar University and received their graduation certificates during the ceremony.

The event was attended by several local officials, including the governor of Nangarhar, civilian and military officials, the university leadership, professors, representatives of private universities, religious scholars, and families of the graduates.

Thirty-four Hindu families currently residing in Canada are interested in returning to Afghanistan, according to Narendra Singh Khalsa, a former representative of the Hindu and Sikh community in Afghanistan’s parliament.

Khalsa made the remarks during a meeting with Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities. The former lawmaker recently returned to Afghanistan from Canada with the support of the commission.

During the meeting, Delawar welcomed Khalsa’s return and reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to addressing the concerns of Afghanistan’s Hindu and Sikh communities. He said special attention would be given to issues related to property rights, assets, and other challenges facing community members.

Khalsa expressed satisfaction with his return to the country, stating that Afghanistan’s development efforts are moving forward positively. He also revealed that dozens of Hindu families living in Canada are interested in returning to their homeland.

In addition, Khalsa said the Afghan Sikh community in Canada is willing to finance and build a modern hospital in Afghanistan, a move that could contribute to improving healthcare services in the country.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dismissed claims that his government is moving to normalize relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), stressing that any engagement is limited to technical cooperation and serves Germany’s national interests.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Bundestag on Wednesday, Merz said Germany is not seeking closer political ties with the IEA.

“We are not normalizing this regime,” he said, responding to criticism from the Green Party. Merz noted that diplomatic relations exist between states rather than governments and emphasized that Germany has maintained diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.

“We are not extending a hand to this Taliban (IEA) regime; Rather, cooperation is being sought at the necessary technical level that serves the national interest of our country,” Merz said.

According to Merz, the German government is engaging with IEA representatives at the lowest possible technical level to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals convicted of crimes in Germany.

The chancellor also voiced strong support for Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who is holding discussions with officials in Kabul regarding the repatriation process.

“He has my full and unreserved support for what he is doing there,” Merz said.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Office confirmed earlier this week that up to four additional Afghan diplomats from the IEA could be allowed to work in Germany to help process deportations and consular services.

Officials said the additional consular staff would be needed to issue travel documents and passports, adding that all visa applications would undergo careful security screening before approval.