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Panjshir’s green emeralds shine on the global stage
Panjshir province, long celebrated for its rare and dazzling green emeralds, is once again in the spotlight as its gemstones make fresh inroads into international markets.
Governor Mohammad Agha Hakim says the province’s high-quality emeralds have “successfully linked Afghanistan to the world,” drawing strong interest from both domestic and foreign investors.
At the 9th official emerald auction, held in the heart of Panjshir, 2,539 carats of emeralds mined from the province’s rugged mountains were sold during a public bidding session for a total of $347,850.
The event brought together national and international traders — among them “Leon,” a prominent buyer from China — as well as representatives from relevant government bodies. Officials said the auction was conducted under strict transparency measures, with the gems carefully
examined, weighed, and packaged in the presence of an oversight committee before going under the hammer.
Panjshir’s emeralds are renowned for their deep, vivid green color and exceptional clarity, qualities that rival the famed Colombian stones and make them highly sought after in the luxury jewelry market.
The province’s gemstone trade, while historically limited by Afghanistan’s political instability and lack of infrastructure, is increasingly seen as a potential driver of local and national economic growth.
In recent years, the Islamic Emirate has sought to formalize and regulate the gemstone sector, holding public auctions to replace informal and often exploitative trading networks. By doing so, authorities aim to maximize revenue for the state, ensure fair returns for miners, and encourage foreign investment.
Experts say that if managed sustainably, Panjshir’s emerald industry could become a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s mineral economy — alongside the country’s vast reserves of lithium, lapis lazuli, and other precious stones.
However, challenges remain, including limited access to international markets due to sanctions, lack of modern cutting and polishing facilities within Afghanistan, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis that hampers broader economic stability.
Still, with each successful auction, Panjshir’s “green jewels” are carrying Afghanistan’s name further across the globe, symbolizing both the beauty of its natural resources and the untapped potential of its economy.
Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad to convey “strong demarche” over a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan District that killed four Pakistani soldiers.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack was carried out by a faction of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The statement said that Pakistan conveyed “grave concern over the continued support and facilitation” provided by the Islamic Emirate to TTP.
Pakistan has demanded “a full investigation and decisive action against the perpetrators and facilitators of the terrorist attacks launched against Pakistan from Afghan soil.”
It urged the Islamic Emirate “to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terror groups operating from its territory, including their leadership, and deny the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.
According to the statement, the Islamic Emirate has been “categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”
Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are originated from Afghan soil, a charge the Islamic Emirate denies.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored Afghanistan’s continued importance in regional cooperation, saying the country remains one of the key areas of interaction among regional partners.
Addressing the first summit of the “Central Asia Plus Japan” dialogue, Mirziyoyev said participating countries share a common aspiration to see Afghanistan become peaceful, stable, and oriented toward meaningful development.
The Uzbek president praised Japan’s longstanding and consistent support for Afghanistan, noting that Tokyo has for many years been among the leading donors and partners assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts and joint contributions by regional countries and Japan would help improve living standards in Afghanistan, advance socio-economic and infrastructure development, and facilitate the country’s active involvement in regional economic projects.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced on Friday that the country has allocated $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said it hopes the aid will help bring positive change to the lives of vulnerable Afghans.
According to the statement, the assistance will cover the basic humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
The embassy added that the aid will be delivered through United Nations agencies, international organizations, and Japanese non-governmental organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Japan’s total assistance to Afghanistan since August 2021 has reached more than $549 million.
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