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First passenger rail service between Mashhad and Herat to launch soon
The first-ever passenger rail service connecting Mashhad, Iran, and Herat, Afghanistan, is set to begin operations within the next two weeks, according to a senior Iranian transportation official.
Jabbarali Zakeri, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, confirmed the development and emphasized that this initiative is part of Iran’s broader strategy to expand regional rail connectivity and enhance transportation infrastructure across borders.
“As part of our planning, we anticipate the first passenger train between Mashhad and Herat will be launched within the next two weeks,” Zakeri stated. He added: “The railway system’s strategic focus is to
boost transit capacity. Transit corridors are being given high priority within the national rail network, with the primary objective being the expansion of cross-border transportation.”
While Zakeri did not provide further technical or logistical details, he noted that Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development had previously announced the construction of the rail link from Rozanak to
Herat. Once completed, this section will facilitate the movement of passenger trains between the two cities.
In addition to the Mashhad–Herat line, Zakeri also revealed that preliminary steps have been taken to establish a future passenger rail route between Mashhad and Mary (Merv) in Turkmenistan, signaling Iran’s intention to strengthen regional connectivity through expanded rail links.
The launch of this service marks a significant step toward improving trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between Iran and Afghanistan, while also advancing Iran’s role as a regional transportation hub.
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Continued aid to Afghanistan vital for regional security: Kazakh president
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the continuation of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stating that the ongoing provision of such aid plays an important role in ensuring regional security.
Speaking at the international conference “Peace and Trust” in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Tokayev described addressing complex humanitarian challenges and the reconstruction of Afghanistan as a necessity.
“To ensure regional security, we consider it essential to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan, including by strengthening international efforts to address complex humanitarian issues and the reconstruction of this country. Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, educational projects, trade development, and food security initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts believe that sustainable improvement of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan requires broad cooperation from the international community and support for the country’s economic development.
“Investment can be defined as one of the fundamental drivers of the economic cycle, and whenever Afghan traders do not take their money out of the country and instead invest domestically, it naturally leads to greater growth and dynamism in Afghanistan’s economy,” said Abdul Zahoor Modabber, an economic analyst.
As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues, reports by international relief organizations indicate that millions of citizens of the country are in urgent need of food, health, and livelihood assistance.
The reduction in funding for aid organizations, the impacts of climate change, and the return of migrants have increased concerns about a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.
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Islamic Emirate declines to attend Tehran meeting on Afghanistan
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Sirajuddin Haqqani: A government that intimidates its people is not a true government
Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said during a visit to Khost province on Friday that any government which rules through fear cannot be considered a true government.
“A government is one that is loved by its people, one that serves them with respect and compassion, and from whose behavior people learn ethics and sincerity,” he said.
Haqqani also stressed that Afghans who opposed the Islamic Emirate in the past should be tolerated and treated in a way that helps eliminate hostility and animosity, paving the way for national cohesion.
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