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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.

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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.”

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UNAMA chief praises Afghanistan’s push towards clean and affordable energy

She called for these initiatives to be scaled up, saying a key objective of the energy gathering was to identify ways to expand and build on successful projects already underway.

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The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Rabab Fatima, has praised Afghanistan’s efforts to expand access to clean and affordable energy, highlighting the role of local entrepreneurs, manufacturers and international partners.

Speaking during a tour of exhibitors at Afghanistan Energy Week 2026, held under the theme “Development Through Energy”, Fatima commended the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the wider UN family for bringing together Afghan and international stakeholders.

She said the event provided an important platform for public institutions, financial institutions, businesses and development partners to discuss practical solutions for advancing the country’s energy sector.

Fatima also welcomed the participation of Afghan women entrepreneurs working to promote clean and affordable energy, as well as the growing presence of local distributors, producers and manufacturers of solar panels and other green energy technologies.

“I was particularly pleased to see the Afghan women, entrepreneurs here who are doing their bit in advancing clean and affordable energy,” she said.

She described the exhibition as an encouraging start to Afghanistan’s transition towards more affordable and sustainable energy, stressing the need to expand successful initiatives.

Referring to recent visits to Bamiyan and Jalalabad, Fatima said she had seen promising solar energy projects being used by government institutions and UN agencies to support programmes in healthcare, markets and agriculture.

She called for these initiatives to be scaled up, saying a key objective of the energy gathering was to identify ways to expand and build on successful projects already underway.

“The purpose and objective of this meeting here is to see how we can scale up many of the good initiatives that we see here today,” she said.

Fatima expressed confidence that Afghanistan Energy Week would not be the last such event, emphasising the importance of continued cooperation to advance the country’s clean energy ambitions.

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OIC and UNICEF discuss expanding humanitarian and development cooperation in Afghanistan

According to the OIC Kabul Mission, the meeting took place at their office in Kabul on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

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The Director General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Mission in Kabul, Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Saeed Alayyash, has met with UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, Tajudeen Oyewale, to discuss humanitarian and development cooperation.

According to the OIC Kabul Mission, the meeting took place at their office in Kabul on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and discussed areas of shared concern.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining engagement and strengthening cooperation between the OIC and UNICEF in addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and development priorities.

The meeting reflects continued engagement between international organisations working on humanitarian and development issues in Afghanistan.

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Afghanistan publishes 20 new laws and dozens of legal documents over five years

The documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.

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The Progress website, affiliated with the Government Media Centre, has reported that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice has published 20 laws and dozens of other legislative documents in 31 issues of the Official Gazette since the Islamic Emirate returned to power.

According to the published figures, the documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.

Among the laws published over the past five years are legislation on preventing land grabbing, hearing complaints, the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, money changers and monetary services, as well as preventing the smuggling of food products and medicines.

The report highlights the Ministry of Justice’s legislative activities and the publication of legal documents through Afghanistan’s Official Gazette during the past five years.

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