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Efforts underway to boost cement production to 15,000 tons daily: Mines ministry
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced on Friday that investment in the country’s cement production sector is expanding.
Ministry officials added that efforts are underway not only to achieve self-sufficiency in this sector but also to pave the way for exports.
According to the ministry, practical work has commenced on five major cement production projects factories located in Kandahar, Herat, Parwan, Jawzjan, and Logar with a total investment of $750 million. Some of these facilities are expected to become operational by the end of this year or early next year.
The ministry added that once these five factories become operational, Afghanistan will have the capacity to produce 15,000 tons of cement per day, increasing the country’s annual production to 5.5 million tons.
Humayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said: “Together, these five factories have the capacity to produce 15,000 tons of cement per day, which adds up to approximately 5.5 million tons annually. This could make Afghanistan self-sufficient in cement and even enable exports.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Investment emphasized the importance of expanding investment in the country’s mining sector, noting that such investment could help Afghanistan overcome its economic crisis.
Economic experts also stated that targeted measures should be taken to encourage investment in cement production, so that with increased output, Afghanistan can not only meet domestic demand but also export to Central Asian countries.
Private sector representatives have also pointed out that cement prices in Afghanistan are rising steadily, while 90 percent of the cement available in the domestic market is still imported from neighboring countries.
In his Persian New Year message, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Friday highlighted the importance of Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying the two neighbors were “very close” to Iran.
Khamenei also made a direct appeal for improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, describing them as “two brotherly countries.” He urged both nations to work toward better cooperation and understanding, stressing that such efforts are important “for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims.”
Underscoring his commitment, he added that he is personally “ready to take the necessary steps” to help facilitate stronger ties between the two countries.
In recent months, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen over security issues, with cross-Durand Line clashes, airstrikes, and accusations about militant activity.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, announced on Friday that a 2.5-ton consignment, including emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits, and equipment has been delivered to Kabul.
According to him, the aid shipment is intended to support the swift recovery of those injured in the recent airstrike by Pakistan’s military regime.
He emphasized that India stands with the people of Afghanistan and will continue to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has announced that Mahdi Ansary, a reporter for the Afghan News Agency (AFKA), has been released after serving one and a half years in Bagram prison.
In a statement welcoming his release, AFJC emphasized that the fundamental rights of this journalist—who had been tried and imprisoned on charges of cooperating with exiled and foreign media—were “seriously” violated.
Ansari was arrested on October 5, 2023, after returning from his workplace in Kabul.
He was sentenced on January 1, 2024 by the Kabul Primary Court to one and a half years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Emirate.”
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Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
Afghan Air Force conducts airstrikes in Islamabad, other cities
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