Latest News
West doesn’t want Afghanistan to remain in isolation: Stanikzai
Western countries including the United States don’t want Afghanistan to remain in isolation as they have their own interests in having presence here, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) said this week.
“Their governments are now convinced to return to Afghanistan because every one of them has its own interests,” Stanikzai told Ariana News. “Western countries especially, including America, don’t want Afghanistan to remain in isolation and not have a presence.”
He went on to say that Afghanistan’s economy, its natural resources and its strategic location require the US and the West to have a presence in Afghanistan.
The deputy foreign minister also warned that IEA will not allow any country to use Afghan soil against any other country.
“We want friendship with all countries, especially with our neighbors. We neither want to be a headache for them, nor want them to be a headache for us and interfere in our internal affairs,” Stanikzai said.
On the issue of closure of schools to female students of above 6th grade, Stanikzai said that talks are ongoing at the level of IEA leadership on the issue and it will be resolved soon.
“It is the vested right of every boy and girl to get education as high as they want,” Stanikzai said.
Azerbaijan has released 14 Afghan nationals from its prisons, Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
The ministry said in a statement that the release happened following efforts by Afghanistan’s embassy in Baku.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to Azerbaijan and relevant authorities for their cooperation and humanitarian action. It also reaffirmed that the IEA will continue to follow up on and resolve the cases of Afghan prisoners.
Former U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, says Washington is largely satisfied with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) efforts against terrorism, though progress in broader relations remains hindered by the issue of prisoners.
In an interview with NDTV, Khalilzad said the United States views the detention of at least two American citizens in Afghanistan as the primary obstacle to improving ties.
Khalilzad highlighted what he described as a “significant degree of satisfaction” in the U.S. assessment of the IEA’s counterterrorism commitments under the Doha Agreement. He said the IEA continue to fight Daesh, a group they have long considered an enemy. Many Daesh militants, he added, have been pushed out of Afghanistan and are now in Pakistan.
At the same time, Khalilzad said concerns remain regarding human rights and the political role of non-IEA Afghans.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has rejected recent accusations made by Pakistani officials following a deadly attack at a mosque in Islamabad, calling them “irresponsible” and “baseless.”
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif wrote on X that preliminary findings suggest the suicide bomber had been on the move to and from Afghanistan.
According to the Afghan Defense Ministry, Pakistan’s defense minister “immediately and irresponsibly” blamed Afghanistan for the attack without conducting proper investigations. Afghan authorities noted that this pattern has been repeated in the past, particularly regarding incidents in Balochistan and other security events inside Pakistan.
The ministry stated that linking such attacks to Afghanistan “has no logic or foundation,” adding that these statements cannot hide Pakistan’s internal security failures or help solve the underlying problems.
“If they were truly able to identify the perpetrators immediately after the incident, then why were they unable to prevent it beforehand?” the statement asked.
The Afghan government emphasized its commitment to Islamic values, stating it does not consider harm against innocent civilians permissible under any circumstances and does not support those involved in illegal acts.
The statement urged Pakistani security officials to take responsibility for their internal security shortcomings, review their policies, and adopt a more constructive and cooperative approach toward both their own citizens and neighboring countries.
Azerbaijan releases 14 Afghan prisoners
Trump signs order threatening tariffs on nations doing business with Iran
Afghan delegation heads to Turkey for medicine talks
Khalilzad says U.S. ‘significantly satisfied’ with IEA’s fight against terrorism
Afghanistan says Pakistan is shifting blame for its own security failures
ICG report says Pakistan most impacted by IEA’s return in Afghanistan
Afghanistan–China joint market opens in Kabul
Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo
ATN secures broadcast rights to Carabao Cup semis across Afghanistan
Pakistan army orders evacuation of Tirah Valley, fears of mass displacement grow
Tawsia: Afghanistan’s interest in buying Russian oil and gas
Tahawol: IEA calls UNSC’s Daesh concerns baseless
Saar: Afghanistan’s role in regional affairs discussed
Tahawol: Discussion on UNSC meeting on Daesh threats
Saar: Rising expectations for US-Iran talks in Oman
-
Sport4 days agoJapan trumps Afghanistan 6-0 in AFC Futsal Asian Cup quarter-final
-
Sport3 days agoHosts and heavyweights advance as AFC Futsal Asian Cup reaches semifinals
-
International Sports5 days agoPakistan to boycott T20 World Cup group match against India
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan crush Scotland in ICC T20 World Cup warm-up
-
Latest News2 days agoTerrorist threat in Afghanistan must be taken seriously, China tells UNSC
-
Latest News3 days agoUzbekistan, Pakistan advance Trans-Afghan railway project
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan seeks expanded ties with Russia in energy, mining and infrastructure
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghanistan faces worsening water crisis as millions return home