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Stanekzai urges neighboring countries not to destabilize Afghanistan
The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai said Sunday that Afghanistan wants to expand ties with neighboring countries and that he hopes these countries do not try to destabilize Afghanistan.
Speaking at a meeting in Kabul, entitled “The Future of Afghanistan’s Relations with Neighboring Countries”, Stanekzai said that Afghanistan does not pose any threat to other countries, but that the existence of some countries, including Iran and Pakistan, is due to jihad by the Afghan people.
Participants at the meeting called for the expansion of mutual cooperation between Afghanistan and neighboring countries, while they also discussed the need for strong political and economic relations. They also discussed the issue of refugees.
Addressing the meeting, Stanekzai said that Afghanistan wants to expand relations with its neighbors. He also called on these countries not to try to destabilize Afghanistan.
“I call on neighboring countries not to block the borders for Afghans, and to strengthen relations with Afghanistan; the Islamic Emirate has sacrificed and is ready to sacrifice even more,” Stanekzai said.
Meanwhile the acting minister of public health called on neighboring countries to provide visas for those who are ill or have scholarships.
“I call on friendly countries to provide a good environment for the growth of the talents of Afghan students and to cooperate with them by arranging visas,” said Qalandar Abad, the acting minister of public health.
At the meeting, a Pakistan representative said that his country wants to help Afghan students in the health sector.
“We have excellent services in the field of health for Afghanistan and Afghan students, and in addition to creating a learning environment, we have also created practical sections for these students,” said Zia-ul-Haq, head of Khyber University in Pakistan.
“We are trying to pave the way for facilities, and this is not only our effort, but also that of the Pakistani government,” said Dr Lal Muhammad Khattak, director of Kohat Hospital.
Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbors have had many ups and downs in recent years, but now Afghanistan wants to engage constructively with all countries.
Hundreds of former U.S. officials are calling on Washington to cancel a reported plan to relocate Afghan refugees from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an open letter addressed to the U.S. State Department, more than 600 former civilian and military officials, along with around 100 organizations, urged the administration to stop the proposed transfer. The letter was sent to Marco Rubio.
The signatories argue that the Afghan nationals in question were brought to Qatar by the United States to complete legal immigration procedures after undergoing extensive security vetting. The letter states that while the individuals were cleared for resettlement in the United States, they are now being considered for relocation to Congo, a country for which they were never screened.
“Those individuals were vetted and approved for the United States, not for the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the letter reads.
According to the report, more than 1,100 Afghan allies and their family members are currently being held at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar under U.S. supervision. Around 800 of them have already completed all security checks and received authorization to travel to the United States. More than half are women and children, and many have remained in transit limbo for over 15 months.
The situation has drawn criticism from former officials and policy observers, who describe the proposed relocation as a betrayal of Afghan allies who supported U.S. missions and risked their lives during the war in Afghanistan. Critics also warn that the move could damage U.S. credibility with future partners.
Several members of the U.S. Congress had previously expressed opposition to the proposal, cautioning that it could significantly undermine trust in the United States among its allies.
Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan, has said that no country should interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, stressing that it is up to Afghans themselves to bring about any change in their country.
In a post on X, Durrani said Afghans should be “left to their own devices” and that they would eventually “find the way out” of their challenges.
However, he warned that instability inside Afghanistan could have negative consequences for neighbouring countries, adding that Afghan leaders and their supporters should take responsibility to address such risks.
Durrani described his remarks as a simple expression of goodwill and best wishes for the Afghan people and their future.
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Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, has met with Tetsuya Yamada, Director General of the South Asia Department at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to discuss cooperation on Afghanistan-related development projects.
According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides focused on the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at supporting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the Japanese side praised Uzbekistan’s “pragmatic approach” toward Afghanistan, as well as the infrastructure developed in the border city of Termez.
Japan also expressed interest in utilizing the Termez facilities for future humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, private sector development, and counter-narcotics efforts.
Both sides emphasized that such cooperation is aimed at improving the living conditions and overall well-being of the Afghan people.
Former US officials urge halt to plan relocating Afghan refugees from Qatar to Congo
James Webb Telescope captures clearest-ever view of exoplanet’s surface
Ex-Pakistan envoy Durrani urges non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
ATN seals Ariana Snooker Championship deal for five seasons
Tahawol: Pressure on Afghan refugees from Tajikistan to Europe discussed
Saar: Ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy discussed
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
Tahawol: Deportation of Afghan refugees from Germany discussed
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