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Rubio says final call on prisoner exchange with Afghanistan lies with Trump
Asked about claims by the Islamic Emirate that an agreement had already been reached, Rubio said he had no confirmation of such reports.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that any final decision on a potential prisoner exchange with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would rest with President Donald Trump, following a recent visit by a US delegation to Kabul.
Rubio, speaking to reporters before departing for the Middle East, stopped short of confirming whether a deal was imminent. However, he acknowledged that Adam Boehler, the US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, had traveled to Kabul to assess the possibilities.
“Our special envoy has been holding discussions for some time. I believe he went to assess what may be possible. Any final decision on an exchange or agreement will rest with the President. But certainly, we want any American — or any individual — who is unlawfully detained to be freed,” Rubio said.
Asked about claims by the Islamic Emirate that an agreement had already been reached, Rubio said he had no confirmation of such reports.
According to Afghan officials, Boehler and his delegation met Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and discussed the status of detainees held in both countries.
Hamidullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, later posted on X that both sides agreed to continue dialogue on bilateral issues, including the fate of detainees.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the talks, saying they focused on bilateral relations and the importance of sustained engagement.
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was reported to have accompanied the delegation, though he has not issued any public comment on the visit.
Neither side disclosed details about the number or identities of detainees under discussion.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a five-year contract for the extraction of gold at a mine in Qala-e-Zal district of Kunduz province, with an investment valued at more than $20 million.
According to the ministry, the agreement was signed on Sunday by Hedayatullah Badri, Afghanistan’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum, in the presence of the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.
The project covers an area of approximately 5.97 square kilometers and is expected to attract an investment of $20.24 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company responsible for the project has pledged to pay a 30 percent royalty to the Afghan government and allocate $200,000 toward social development and public service initiatives in the area.
Officials said the project is also expected to generate employment opportunities for around 100 people through both direct and indirect jobs.
The ministry described the agreement as part of ongoing efforts to attract domestic and foreign investment into Afghanistan’s mining sector, which authorities view as a key driver of economic growth and regional cooperation.
New township to provide over 1,000 land plots for returnees in Logar
Ariana Afghan Airlines lowers cargo rates on Kabul–Delhi route to boost exports
Pakistan ambassador urges Afghan authorities to act against militant threats
Afghanistan signs $20 million contract for gold mining in Kunduz
Trump rejects Iran’s response to US peace proposal as ‘unacceptable’
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Tahawol: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s growing economic ties discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with the world discussed
Tahawol: Discussion on unknown fate of Middle East crisis
Saar: Problems and challenges of Afghan refugees in the world discussed
Tawsia: Discussion on Afghanistan’s economic path and position
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