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Off the Afghan Map: Nuristan residents appeal for decent road access
Currently, a 22-kilometer section of the Kunar-Nuristan highway is under reconstruction, with work said to be about halfway complete.
Tucked away in the steep folds of the Hindu Kush mountains, the people of Nuristan have long battled isolation. But for residents of this eastern Afghanistan province, it’s not just the geography that keeps them cut off — it’s the roads, or rather, the lack thereof.
The province’s main route, a vital artery linking Nuristan’s rugged valleys to the outside world, has become a treacherous track of dust, rock, and frustration. Locals say the road is in such poor condition that what should be a lifeline has instead become a major burden.
“Every time we travel, it’s a gamble,” said Mohammad Nazir, a driver who regularly ferries passengers through the region. “Landslides, flat tires, broken axles — these are daily problems. We just want a real road.”
Nuristan, celebrated for its emerald forests and striking mountain landscapes, draws hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists every year. But many never make it in. The journey, locals say, is enough to turn back even the most determined traveler.
Currently, a 22-kilometer section of the Kunar-Nuristan highway is under reconstruction, with work said to be about halfway complete. The road, planned to be nine meters wide, is part of a larger push by the Ministry of Public Works to improve connectivity in Afghanistan’s remote provinces.
Provincial officials say the project is progressing swiftly. More than 70 pieces of heavy machinery are in operation, and hundreds of Nuristanis have found work on the site. But patience is wearing thin.
“We’ve waited decades for a proper road,” said a local elder in Parun. “This should have been done long ago. We hope they won’t abandon the project halfway.”
The stakes are high. Beyond tourism, poor infrastructure affects nearly every aspect of life in Nuristan. Villagers report long delays in transporting patients to hospitals, skyrocketing prices for goods, and a lack of access to basic services.
While other parts of the country have begun to see a patchwork of paved roads, Nuristan remains without a single asphalted network. The province’s challenging terrain means road construction here isn’t just costly — it’s monumental.
For now, residents continue to rely on gravel roads and sheer determination. But their message to Kabul is clear: “Don’t forget us in the mountains.”
As one local put it: “We don’t need a miracle — just a road that works.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced on Tuesday the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle from prison.
According to the ministry, Coyle’s mother had written to the leader of the Islamic Emirate demanding amnesty and the release of her son on the occasion of Eid. The Supreme Court considered time served sufficient and decided to release him.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this action was carried out on the basis of humanitarianism and good faith, and it believes that such measures can strengthen trust between countries. The ministry also expressed hope that both countries, in the future, can find solutions to remaining issues through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue.
The Islamic Emirate also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates in this matter.
Separately, for Coyle’s release, an American delegation, including Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met on Tuesday with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate.
The meeting was also attended by Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, Ambassador of the UAE in Kabul, and a member of the prisoner’s family.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi stated that the Islamic Emirate has not detained any citizen of any country to achieve political objectives; rather, detentions were the result of legal violations, and individuals were released after completing judicial procedures.
At the meeting, Khalilzad praised the action of the Islamic Emirate and emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on all issues between the two countries, expressing hope for further progress in the future.
Muttaqi also stressed that Kabul and the UAE should provide standard consular services to their citizens, and that the Afghan government is fully prepared in this regard.
He thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for their constructive role in facilitating the release of the prisoner and referred to the UAE as a close friend of Afghanistan.
Earlier, Muttaqi had also praised the role of the State of Qatar in facilitating information exchange between the Islamic Emirate and the prisoner’s family.
Additionally, the UAE ambassador expressed his country’s readiness to play a role in humanitarian institutions and called such developments beneficial for everyone.
The United Kingdom has announced an additional £3 million (AFN 257 million) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, aimed at supporting people affected by natural disasters and other shocks.
Richard Lindsay, in a post on X, said the funding will be used to provide essential nutrition supplies and related support to vulnerable populations.
The new allocation brings the UK’s total bilateral assistance to Afghanistan for the current financial year to £154 million (AFN 13.18 billion).
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