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Karzai congratulates Kankor top scorers, urges education access for Afghan girls
Afghanistan’s former president Hamid Karzai has congratulated the top performers of this year’s national university entrance exam while renewing calls for the restoration of education rights for Afghan girls.
In a statement issued following the announcement of the 1404 (2025) Kankor exam results, Karzai praised the achievements of the top five scorers, calling their success a source of national pride and a testament to the potential of Afghan youth.
“The outstanding performance of these young students is a remarkable milestone for our country,” Karzai said. “Their dedication and achievement reflect the strength and promise of Afghanistan’s new generation.”
The Kankor exam is a critical gateway to higher education in Afghanistan, and this year saw increased participation despite ongoing challenges.
According to Abdul Baqi Haqqani, acting head of the National Examination Authority, 100,548 students sat for the exam, with 51,181 gaining admission to universities and other higher education institutions.
This marks a 20,000-student increase from the previous year, indicating what Haqqani described as “growing enthusiasm for education among Afghan youth.”
Kabul students dominated the top rankings, with Sayed Musa and Mohammad Nazir in first and second place respectively. Another Kabul student, Hamza, secured third place.
However, Karzai expressed deep concern over the ongoing exclusion of girls from the education system—a policy enforced since the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021. Notably, none of this year’s top scorers were female.
“This exclusion is a matter of grave national concern,” Karzai stated. “Education is the foundation of sustainable development. Without access to learning and equal opportunities for all, Afghanistan cannot achieve true independence, economic growth, or social progress.”
Karzai’s remarks come amid growing domestic and international pressure on the IEA to reverse its ban on secondary and higher education for girls. Human rights groups and education experts have consistently warned that such restrictions severely undermine the country’s development prospects and isolate it further from the global community.
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Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan boost trade and digital finance ties
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, has met with a high-level Kyrgyz delegation led by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakhyt Sydykov to discuss expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in digital financial services.
During the meeting, Hanafi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to deepen ties with Kyrgyzstan, stressing the importance of developing electronic administration systems and modern banking channels to facilitate trade and financial transactions between the two countries.
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives. He also pointed to potential cooperation in areas such as the printing of securities and the development of electronic payment systems.
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India reaffirms healthcare support to Afghanistan, hands over medicines and vaccines
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of essential medicines.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a productive meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the health sector and addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people.
During the meeting, a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was carried out, reflecting India’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The ministry also announced that a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is being dispatched to Afghanistan as part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts.
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
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Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Security sources said that special forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have targeted a hideout in Badakhshan province linked to suspects involved in attacks against Chinese nationals in neighboring Tajikistan.
According to the sources, the operation was carried out on Tuesday night in Faizabad city, where several individuals suspected of orchestrating cross-border attacks from Badakhshan’s frontier regions were believed to be present. As a result of the operation, one wanted suspect was arrested alive along with weapons and other military equipment.
The sources added that preliminary investigations and initial confessions by the detainee indicate the planning of the attacks was carried out from outside Afghanistan.
This comes as Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 27 that three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Khatlon province.
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