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Tourists begin to return to Afghanistan as IEA eyes economic and diplomatic gains
Afghanistan is seeing the slow return of international tourists—arriving by plane, camper van, motorbike, and even bicycle
After decades of war and isolation, Afghanistan is seeing the slow return of international tourists—arriving by plane, camper van, motorbike, and even bicycle—drawn by curiosity, adventure, and the country’s dramatic landscapes and rich history.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government, which took control in August 2021 and remains unrecognized by all but a few nations, is eager to welcome them.
“The Afghan people are warm and welcoming and wish to host tourists from other countries and engage with them,” Deputy Minister of Tourism Qudratullah Jamal told AP in an interview earlier this month. “Tourism brings many benefits to a country, and we aim for our nation to take full advantage.”
While still modest, the numbers are growing. Nearly 9,000 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan in 2023, with almost 3,000 arriving in just the first quarter of 2024, according to Jamal. The government has eased visa procedures, increased flight connectivity through hubs like Dubai and Istanbul, and established a tourism training institute.
Tourism’s potential economic impact is clear. “We are currently earning considerable revenue from this industry, and we are hopeful it will grow,” Jamal said. “It reaches more people than other industries and can evolve into a large part of our economy.”
Yet the appeal of adventure tourism in Afghanistan is not without challenges, especially as the country remains under Western travel advisories due to security concerns.
Ethical questions also loom. The IEA’s restrictions on women and girls—including bans on secondary and university education, most professions, and public leisure spaces—have drawn global condemnation. Beauty salons are banned, and strict dress codes enforced. Yet foreign women face far fewer restrictions and are typically allowed to move more freely, sometimes even entering parks barred to Afghan women.
Jamal declined to address the issue of women’s rights directly, saying only that both male and female tourists were welcome: “Those who respect our laws and traditions have already come and can continue to come.”
Some travelers acknowledged grappling with the moral implications of visiting. French-Peruvian Illary Gomez and her British partner, James Liddiard, spent a year debating whether to pass through Afghanistan on their U.K.-to-Japan camper van journey.
“Some things didn’t feel morally right,” Gomez admitted. But once in the country, they were struck by the kindness of ordinary Afghans. “You put money in the hands of the people, not the government,” Liddiard told AP.
For the IEA, tourism is also about diplomacy. “It’s a great way to promote interaction between people of different countries,” Jamal said. “It expands commerce, fosters mutual understanding, and builds trust. This is not just economic development—it brings spiritual and political benefits.”
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Kabul’s Omid Sabz Township declared state-owned, occupants told to seek compensation from seller
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice says that more than 1,500 jeribs of land known as Omid Sabz Township (Haji Nabi Township) in Kabul has been legally determined to be state-owned, and that current occupants should seek compensation from the party that sold them the land.
Barakatullah Rasouli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, said the Special Court for State Land Grabbing Cases ruled that the land is officially registered and surveyed in the state’s name across five cadastral plots and has never been transferred to any individual or legal entity.
The court also ordered that the property be handed over to the Commission for the Prevention of Land Grabbing and the Restitution of Grabbed Land for implementation of the ruling.
The Ministry of Justice stressed that the commission is legally responsible for enforcing the Special Court’s rulings in cases involving state-owned land.
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Turkmenistan reviews TAPI pipeline progress at government energy meeting
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres.
Turkmenistan has reviewed progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding hydrocarbon production during a government meeting of the country’s oil and gas sector.
According to a statement issued by state-owned Turkmennebit on Monday, the meeting assessed the performance of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry during the first seven months of 2026. Senior officials from Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, Turkmengeology, TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd. and other energy enterprises presented reports on ongoing projects and sector developments.
The statement said particular attention was given to construction of the Serhetabat-Herat section of the TAPI pipeline, with officials emphasizing that work is being carried out in line with international standards.
Participants also discussed priorities for the sector’s future growth, including expanding geological exploration, increasing production drilling to identify new hydrocarbon reserves, boosting oil and natural gas output, and improving the quality of extracted resources.
The 1,800-kilometre TAPI pipeline is designed to transport up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The project is regarded by Ashgabat as a key route for diversifying its gas exports while strengthening regional energy cooperation and economic integration.
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres. In April 2026, Turkmengaz and China’s CNPC launched the fourth phase of the field’s development, a project expected to add up to 10 billion cubic metres of commercial gas production annually through new production facilities and additional wells.
The pipeline has also attracted renewed international attention. In June, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School said TAPI is re-emerging as an important regional energy project, highlighting its potential to connect Turkmenistan’s vast gas resources with growing demand in South Asia.
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Mullah Baradar visits flood-hit Nuristan, pledges continued support for victims
A delegation of private sector representatives also accompanied Baradar during the visit and provided cash assistance to families affected by the floods.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Monday visited the eastern province of Nuristan to express solidarity with families affected by the recent deadly floods and reaffirm the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to supporting those impacted.
According to a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Baradar offered condolences to the families of those killed in the floods, praying for the victims to be granted paradise and wishing a swift recovery to those injured.
He said that immediately after the disaster, officials from the relevant government institutions were dispatched to the affected areas and used all available resources to carry out rescue operations and assist flood victims.
Baradar assured affected families that the Islamic Emirate would continue to provide assistance using all available means, emphasizing that government officials consider it their responsibility to respond to the needs of the people in a timely manner.
A delegation of private sector representatives also accompanied Baradar during the visit and provided cash assistance to families affected by the floods.
According to the statement, local religious scholars, tribal elders and flood-affected residents welcomed the delegation’s visit and expressed appreciation for the government’s support during a difficult time. They also shared their concerns and requests with the deputy prime minister.
Baradar pledged that the relevant authorities would take the necessary steps to address the issues raised by local residents.
The visit comes as Afghan authorities continue relief and recovery efforts in Nuristan following recent floods that caused fatalities, injuries and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
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