The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has highlighted its diplomatic engagement and efforts to support Afghanistan during an academic lecture delivered at the Diplomatic Institute of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Dr. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Ayash, Director General of the OIC Office in Afghanistan, delivered the lecture on “Diplomacy and the Efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Afghanistan.

According to Zia Ahmad Takal, Director of Public Communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the event was attended by ministry employees and officials from various government institutions.

During his presentation, Al-Ayash discussed key mechanisms of public and multilateral diplomacy, outlining the history of the OIC, its various institutions and organizational structure.

He also reviewed decisions concerning Afghanistan adopted at OIC summits and meetings of foreign ministers, highlighting the role of the organization’s office in Kabul in following up on their implementation.

The ambassador further discussed the organization’s initiatives and activities aimed at supporting Afghanistan across different sectors.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants raised questions, shared their perspectives and exchanged views on several diplomatic and institutional issues.

The lecture provided an opportunity to discuss the OIC’s diplomatic mechanisms and its engagement with Afghanistan through multilateral cooperation.

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting detained Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan, following warnings that their lives could be at risk.

US District Judge Valerie Caproni issued the order in New York on Tuesday, suspending deportations until Saturday, according to the Associated Press (AP).

More than 80 detained Afghans have reportedly contacted human rights organizations and immigration lawyers after receiving notices from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicating they could be deported via Pakistan.

Those affected reportedly include women, former Afghan security personnel, religious minorities and people whose relatives served alongside US forces. Many fled Afghanistan after the Islamic Emirate returned to power in 2021.

The proposed transfers have drawn criticism from 66 members of the US Congress, who warned that deportees could face persecution, torture or death.

The lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to intervene.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry also expressed serious concern over reports of the planned transfers to Pakistan. Deputy spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal urged Washington to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the individuals involved.

Human rights groups welcomed the court’s decision as a temporary reprieve, warning that Afghans returned to Afghanistan could face arbitrary detention, executions and other forms of retaliation.

The ruling does not resolve the wider legal and humanitarian concerns, with advocates continuing efforts to prevent the deportations.

Rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are threatening efforts to expand trade and transport links between Central and South Asia, putting ambitious regional economic targets at risk.

According to a report by Eurasianet, strained relations between Islamabad and Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate authorities are undermining plans to strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan and Central Asian countries.

Kazakhstan lowers trade expectations

Kazakhstan has adopted a more cautious outlook on trade with Pakistan, with officials estimating the potential for bilateral trade growth at around $645 million.

The figure emerged during November 1 talks in Astana between Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Pakistani Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, falling short of earlier expectations that annual trade could exceed $1 billion.

Uzbekistan’s $2 billion target faces hurdles

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have also set an ambitious target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $2 billion within five years.

However, existing trade figures highlight the challenge. In 2024, Pakistan exported $129 million worth of goods to Uzbekistan, while Uzbek exports to Pakistan reached $257 million. Trade showed little growth in 2025.

Afghanistan tensions complicate regional connectivity

Eurasianet identifies the ongoing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad as a major obstacle to developing reliable transport corridors linking Central Asian markets with Pakistani seaports.

Pakistan has promoted its ports as strategic gateways for landlocked Central Asian economies, offering access to international shipping routes. However, security concerns and strained relations with Afghanistan threaten the reliability of these connections.

The diplomatic divide was also evident during the October meeting of the Moscow Format, where disagreements between Afghan and Pakistani representatives over terrorism-related terminology prevented the participants from issuing a joint statement.

Despite continued efforts to strengthen economic cooperation, the developments highlight how security tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan could undermine broader plans to connect Central and South Asian markets and expand regional trade.