The foundation stone of the Lajward Residential Complex was laid on Tuesday in northern Balkh province by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Baradar said the Islamic Emirate is placing special focus on achieving economic self-reliance, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and implementing major infrastructure projects across the country.

He described the Lajward Residential Complex as a significant example of ongoing development efforts and noted that large-scale projects in sectors including industry, transportation, electricity generation, and urban development are currently underway.

Baradar stated that practical work on master plans and urban expansion projects is continuing alongside national initiatives such as the Qosh Tepa project. He added that the Islamic Emirate considers it a responsibility to provide opportunities and facilities for both local and foreign investors in the construction sector.

According to his office, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that cooperation between the government and the private sector is essential for economic stability and the reconstruction of Afghanistan, while assuring continued support for investors.

He also encouraged business leaders to expand investments in the housing and construction sector.

During his visit to Balkh, Baradar said he would inspect commercial ports in the province to ensure the provision of 24-hour services and improve the efficiency of export and import operations.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that senior officials from various institutions are accompanying him to closely assess economic activities, development projects, and challenges related to port operations in the province.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Office, the Lajward Residential Complex will be built with a private sector investment of $150 million.

The project includes the construction of approximately 1,448 modern apartments and is expected to create around 7,000 jobs.

The complex will be developed on nearly 21 jeribs of land and will include schools, healthcare and commercial facilities, green areas, a mosque, sports and recreational centers, and other public amenities.

Police in northern Balkh province say three individuals have been arrested on charges of smuggling 540 kilograms of hashish from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan through the Hairatan border crossing.

In a statement, the Balkh police command said the suspects had concealed the drugs inside an excavation machine and transported it through the Hairatan port in an attempt to smuggle them across the border.

Mohammad Isa Wasiq, spokesperson for the Balkh police command, said the drugs had been hidden in a highly sophisticated manner to avoid detection.

According to officials, the suspects have confessed to the crime and will be handed over to the relevant judicial authorities following the completion of preliminary investigations.

Hairatan port is considered one of Afghanistan’s most important commercial gateways and serves as a major transit route connecting the country with Central Asia.

Authorities say efforts to combat drug trafficking through key border crossings remain ongoing.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s Test and ODI squads for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, with Shubman Gill set to captain both sides.

The series, scheduled for June, includes a one-off Test match and a three-match ODI series and is being viewed as an important step in India’s preparations for a busy international calendar.

Selectors largely retained a familiar core of experienced players while also rewarding several younger talents following strong performances in IPL 2026.

The squad announcement came amid discussions surrounding workload management for key players, including fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, as well as the leadership role of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

According to reports, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI officials also considered the importance of the Afghanistan series in shaping India’s plans for the ongoing World Test Championship cycle and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Despite the one-off Test not carrying World Test Championship points, India named a strong batting lineup as the team management looks to build momentum ahead of a demanding Test season later this year, including overseas tours and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain key figures in India’s ODI setup as selectors gradually shape the squad for the next World Cup cycle.

India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan series includes Shubman Gill as captain, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj among those selected.

The ODI squad also features Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan.

The one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan will be played from June 6 to 10 at the MYS International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

The ODI series will begin on June 14 in Dharamsala, followed by matches in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.