Latest News
Efforts underway to complete 500 kV power line: Ministry
The Ministry of Energy and Water says efforts are underway to complete the 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line project as soon as possible.
The ministry officials said work is ongoing from Sheberghan city to Dasht-e-Alwan in Pul-e-Khumri and from Dasht-e-Alwan to Arghandi in Kabul.
“The 500 kV power line transmission project is going on in the area and this is an important project,” said Matiullah Abid, the ministry’s spokesman.
Experts, meanwhile, said that due to increasing needs, the Islamic Emirate should speed up the process of electricity supply and focus more on electricity production.
“If this project is completed, there is no doubt that a large part of the needs of Afghanistan’s industries and the lack of energy for the country’s citizens will be lifted,” said Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic expert.
“If sufficient and reliable electricity is given to Afghanistan’s industries, there is no doubt that more work will be created and investments will increase,” he added.
A number of economic experts also added that the IEA should reduce imported electricity over time and increase production from domestic sources.
The 500 kV power transmission work will cost more than 100 million afghanis and upon its completion, it will cover Kabul and 12 other provinces.
Latest News
UNDP, UN Women launch financing initiative for Afghan women entrepreneurs
UN Women Special Representative Susan Ferguson said expanding women’s access to finance was critical to enabling women-led businesses to grow.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women have launched a joint initiative to expand access to finance and business support for Afghan women entrepreneurs.
The Afghanistan Women’s Fund for Resilient Enterprises (AWFRE) will provide Sharia-compliant, collateral-free financing alongside financial and digital literacy training, mentoring, business planning and support to access markets.
An initial joint investment of $1.7 million will support about 1,500 women entrepreneurs over the next year, indirectly benefiting more than 14,000 people through stronger businesses, household incomes and economic activity.
The initiative comes amid a significant financing gap for Afghan women entrepreneurs. Fewer than 7% of women in Afghanistan have a bank account or use mobile money services, leaving many women-led businesses dependent on personal savings, loans from family and friends, or the sale of personal assets.
More Afghan women are turning to entrepreneurship to earn income and support their families. More than 10,000 Afghan women now hold business licences, around ten times the number five years ago, while the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce estimates another 120,000 are trading without licences.
“The challenge for Afghan women entrepreneurs is not a lack of enterprise, but limited access to the finance, skills and networks they need to grow,” said Turhan Saleh, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan.
UN Women Special Representative Susan Ferguson said expanding women’s access to finance was critical to enabling women-led businesses to grow.
“Afghan women are finding ways to build businesses, despite the many obstacles they face,” Ferguson said. “Expanding access to finance can help women entrepreneurs turn their ideas and skills into stronger businesses, more jobs and greater economic security for their families and communities.”
UNDP and UN Women are seeking an additional $10 million to expand the programme, which would allow another 10,000 women entrepreneurs to access financing and business support and indirectly benefit an estimated 70,000 people.
The initiative aims to help women entrepreneurs expand their businesses, access new markets and develop more sustainable sources of income.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
UNDP, UN Women launch financing initiative for Afghan women entrepreneurs
Aimal Wali Khan calls Dera Ismail Khan attack a ‘state failure’
Trump rejects Iranian proposal to open Hormuz and end fighting
Abu Muslim Farah defeat Khurasan Faryab 2-0 in ACL season six
Saar: Concerns over Pakistan’s political crisis discussed
Saudi energy group signs major Afghanistan deals covering gas exploration and pipeline plans
Trump floats idea of renaming Atlantic or Pacific Ocean
US hits Egyptian bank branches with Iran sanctions as war marks six months
Nepal flood rescue mission enters critical phase as thousands remain missing
Iranian clubs to face Gulf opponents at neutral venues in Asian Champions League Elite
Saar: Concerns over Pakistan’s political crisis discussed
Exclusive interview with Abdul Latif Mansoor, Minister of MRRD
Tawsia: Overview of Afghanistan’s iron mines
Tahawol: Discussion on fresh Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
Saar: Calls for international support for Afghanistan discussed
-
Latest News4 days agoAriana Afghan Airlines ranks seventh among 45 Central Asian airlines
-
Regional4 days agoUS and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump’s ‘annihilation’ threat
-
Regional3 days agoIran airlines cancel flights as US sanctions hit
-
Latest News4 days agoSilk Road highway in Wakhan corridor now reaches the China border
-
Sport5 days agoAfghan boxing referee heads to China for international festival
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan, Turkmenistan agree to establish joint road transport commission
-
Latest News4 days agoIndia condemns Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan open Asian Games cricket campaign with win over Japan