Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, stated in her latest report to the UN Security Council that Media freedom in Afghanistan has become increasingly restricted.

In her report, released on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, Gagnon said: “Media freedom is increasingly restricted. Journalists face intimidation, detention, and censorship, reducing the space for public debate and public participation with people excluded from decisions on their own future.”

According to Gagnon’s report, the people of Afghanistan continue to face multiple crises, and their situation requires urgent attention and broader support from the international community.

She added: “Women and girls continue to be systematically excluded from almost all aspects of public life. The ban on secondary and tertiary education for girls persists now into its fourth year, depriving Afghanistan of female doctors, entrepreneurs, teachers, and leaders critical to the country today and for its future.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that media in the country can operate freely according to Islamic principles and national interests, and that citizens’ rights, especially those of women are safeguarded within the framework of religion.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate said in a statement on Wednesday that Gilles Bertrand, the newly appointed EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, has assured the IEA of the continuation of EU assistance to the country.

Bertrand made these remarks during a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bertrand has praised the Islamic Emirate for their four-year achievements in areas of stability, security and economy, assuring continued EU assistance and calling for expanded cooperation to attract major foreign investment to the country.

The statement added that Bertrand praised the IEA as well for accommodating millions of returning Afghan migrants.

He also noted the EU’s increased attention and cooperation in the economic sector, particularly regarding Afghanistan’s private sector and called for further collaboration between the two sides to attract investment from major international companies.

During the meeting, Muttaqi expressed appreciation for the work of the EU’s previous envoy for Afghanistan within the framework of humanitarian cooperation.

Muttaqi also highlighted major projects launched by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over the past four years and called on the European Union to take positive steps toward Afghanistan’s development in various areas.

In conclusion, both sides emphasized the continuation of cooperation and such meetings.

Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue to rise, prompting renewed concern among regional stakeholders and pushing mediation efforts into a critical phase.

With relations worsening and no signs of a breakthrough, diplomatic actors are ramping up attempts to steer both sides toward dialogue and de-escalation.

Diplomatic sources say political engagement remains the only viable path to resolving the current standoff. Qatar, Türkiye, Iran, and China have all stepped in to facilitate communication, each seeking to create conditions that could pave the way for direct talks between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan.

Iran is reportedly working to convene a dedicated regional meeting focused on jump-starting dialogue — an initiative that follows earlier mediation efforts by Qatar and Türkiye, both of which are currently on hold. China has also reiterated its support for negotiations, stating that Beijing stands ready to help ease tensions and strengthen bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is expected to host a fresh round of talks between Kabul and Islamabad in the coming weeks. Riyadh previously facilitated discussions between delegations from both countries, though those meetings ended without tangible progress.

Analysts caution that regional diplomacy, however active, can only succeed if both Kabul and Islamabad demonstrate the political will to resolve their disputes. Effective mediation, they say, could restore stability to one of South and Central Asia’s most strained bilateral relationships — but the window for a peaceful settlement may be narrowing.