Qatar and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have emphasized the need to expand bilateral relations and cooperation during a meeting in Kabul between Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Murdif bin Ali Al-Qashouti.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, where the Qatari envoy described relations between Afghanistan and Qatar as historic and strong. He pledged to further strengthen ties during his diplomatic mission.

Al-Qashouti highlighted Qatar’s completed and ongoing humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan, saying Doha intends to continue cooperation across various sectors, particularly in light of the improved security situation in the country.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of positive relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan for regional economic growth, security and stability, adding that Qatar sincerely seeks to help identify appropriate solutions to issues between the two neighboring countries.

Abdul Wasi welcomed the ambassador and described Qatar as a brotherly Muslim country that has played an important role over the past two decades in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He praised Qatar’s development initiatives in Afghanistan and called for broader cooperation between the two countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Abdul Wasi said the Islamic Emirate seeks constructive relations with neighboring countries, the region and the wider international community based on mutual respect, Afghanistan’s national interests and Islamic principles.

He added that while the Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan, it also supports peace and stability in other countries.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says work on the TAPI Pipeline is accelerating as pipes and technical equipment continue arriving through Turkmenbashi Port.

According to the ministry, Afghan Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri visited the port during his trip to Turkmenistan to inspect the transportation process for pipeline materials and equipment destined for Afghanistan.

The ministry said construction work on the Herat section of the project is progressing steadily, with major developments reported in several phases of the pipeline route.

Officials stated that 63 kilometers of pipeline have already been installed inside Afghanistan, while preparations for an additional 125-kilometer stretch have been completed to allow further expansion work.

The ministry added that nearly 51 kilometers of pipes have so far been transported from abroad to project sites within Afghanistan.

According to officials, implementation of the project has gained momentum in recent months, with workers currently welding around 500 meters of pipeline each day.

The TAPI pipeline is regarded as one of the region’s largest energy infrastructure projects and is intended to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health has launched the second polio vaccination campaign of 2026 in cooperation with international partner organizations.

According to the ministry, more than 8.3 million children under the age of five are expected to receive polio vaccines during the campaign, which will be implemented in 194 districts across 20 provinces.

The campaign is being carried out from May 18 to May 21 in provinces across the central, southern, eastern, western, southeastern, northern and northeastern regions of the country.

In Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces, the campaign will take placce from May 19 to May 22.

Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali said the ministry remains committed to stopping the spread of wild poliovirus in Afghanistan and will continue vaccination drives and supplementary health services until the disease is fully eradicated.

He also called on religious scholars, tribal elders, parents and influential community figures to support vaccinators and participate in efforts to protect children from polio.

The ministry emphasized that polio is a viral disease with no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination. Children infected with the virus may suffer permanent paralysis or death.

Officials urged parents to ensure that all children under five years old receive the vaccine during the campaign period.

The Ministry of Public Health added that vaccination teams will be present at designated locations across communities throughout the campaign.