The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has launched a new media engagement initiative aimed at improving coordination between government institutions and the press, while maintaining that recent security incidents in Badakhshan province have been overstated.

Speaking at the inauguration of the “Government in the Mirror of the Press” program at the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said clashes between security forces and armed opposition groups in Badakhshan had been exaggerated and that the situation remains under control.

Mujahid said security incidents occur in many countries and should not be viewed as unusual. He added that Afghan security forces remain determined to respond to any armed activity and said the public also supports the country’s current system.

The new initiative is intended to strengthen cooperation between government institutions and media organizations, promote official activities and evaluate media coverage of state bodies.

Minister of Information and Culture Sher Ahmad Haqqani also stressed the importance of cooperation between the government and the media to ensure the public receives accurate information.

Referring to the recent incidents in Badakhshan, Haqqani said many reports circulating about the clashes were based on rumors and did not accurately reflect the situation.

Other officials attending the launch described the media as an important bridge between the government and the public and reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to supporting media organizations.

The event comes as journalists and media representatives continue to call for greater and more timely access to official information from government institutions.

Afghanistan’s sovereign assets held in Switzerland have grown to $4.2 billion after generating approximately $700 million in investment returns, according to Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, a member of the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA).

Speaking during the 70th online conference of the Association of Afghan Scholars and Specialists on Sunday, July 26, 2026, Ahadi said the fund has not been used and will remain intact until conditions allow for its transfer to Da Afghanistan Bank, Afghanistan’s central bank.

The conference was held under the theme, “Afghanistan’s Economic and Political Situation: Realities and Future Outlook.”

Ahadi said none of the assets have been spent since the fund was established, emphasizing that the money is being preserved for the benefit of the Afghan people.

Commenting on the remaining $3.5 billion in Afghan sovereign assets frozen in the United States, Ahadi said two U.S. courts have already ruled in Afghanistan’s favor. He expressed confidence that the third and final court would also order the release of the funds, allowing the assets to remain protected for the Afghan people.

The Swiss-based fund was established to safeguard a portion of Afghanistan’s overseas sovereign assets while efforts continue to resolve the legal status of the remaining reserves frozen in the United States.