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Taliban denies Ghani’s call for ceasefire in Ramadan
In his Ramadan message, President Ghani called on the Taliban for a ceasefire to honor the holy month of Ramadan and because of the Coronavirus threat, but the Taliban said a ceasefire was not reasonable to ask due to a lack of adherence to the implementation of the peace agreement and endangering thousands of their prisoners amid the pandemic.
On the other hand, NATO has said that the prospect of starting negotiations to achieve peace in Afghanistan is an exceptional opportunity and that the Taliban must end the violence immediately.
President Ghani said: “The Afghan people and government want the Taliban in this critical situation throughout the country to respect the call for peace and ceasefire in the holy month of Ramadan and to refrain from violence against the Muslim people of Afghanistan and start living a peaceful life.”
Hours after the president’s call, Suhail Shaheen, the spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, said that Taliban has adopted a comprehensive mechanism for signing an agreement with the United States adding that “The Security Council and the international community have confirmed that if it is implemented, it will lead to peace and a ceasefire.”
He added, despite the fact that thousands of their prisoners are in danger of the crisis, it was unreasonable to call for a ceasefire.
“The Taliban believe that under the agreement signed with the United States, 5,000 prisoners should be released and a ceasefire should be negotiated,” said Khalil Safi, head of the Afghan Peace Center.
Meanwhile, a number of foreign representatives in Afghanistan are calling on the parties involved to reduce violence during Ramadan.
Nicolas Kay, NATO’s representative in Afghanistan stated, “I wish everyone would enjoy a peaceful Ramadan” hoping that the “war ends” so that Muslims in Afghanistan can celebrate Ramadan in peace.”
This comes as the National Security Council reported the release of 58 other Taliban prisoners and that 550 Taliban insurgents have been released so far.
According to the agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban, 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 government prisoners should be released, followed by Intra-Afghan negotiations.
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Afghanistan seeks closer trade cooperation with Uzbekistan
Uzbek officials also unveiled plans to open trade chambers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to help boost exports and improve market access for regional products.
Afghanistan has called on Uzbekistan to establish a coordination and liaison office at the Termez border market to strengthen direct business ties between the private sectors of the two countries.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting in Mazar-i-Sharif between Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Amanbai Orynbaev, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan region.
During the talks, both sides explored opportunities to expand cooperation in the export of Afghan cotton, coal, fresh and dried fruits, as well as joint projects in food production, construction materials, tourism, pharmaceutical manufacturing, mineral processing, and investment in key economic sectors.
Uzbek officials also unveiled plans to open trade chambers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to help boost exports and improve market access for regional products.
As part of the visit, the Uzbek delegation inaugurated an expo of national products in Mazar-i-Sharif aimed at promoting trade and economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
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.
Afghanistan seeks closer trade cooperation with Uzbekistan
Japan announces MEXT scholarships for Afghan students for 2027 academic year
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
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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