Afghanistan’s Economic Growth Lags Behind Population Increase, Says World Bank

According to the report, 336 families entered the country via the Torkham crossing, 218 through Spin Boldak, and 193 families crossed the border at Islam Qala.

This announcement comes as both Iran and Pakistan have stepped up their efforts to expel Afghan migrants. Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior stated yesterday that 100,529 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan over the past three weeks.

The second phase of Pakistan’s deportation campaign began in April, targeting both undocumented Afghan migrants and those holding “Afghan Citizen Cards.”

According to the AFF, two Taliban members were killed and two others wounded during the guerrilla operation.

Local sources reported that the blast occurred near the entrance gate of the Sixth Police District, adjacent to the Counter-Narcotics Directorate building in Kunduz city. In a statement released late that night, the AFF said its fighters had ambushed a military vehicle transporting Taliban personnel.

So far, the Taliban have not issued a response. Taliban officials typically seek to suppress media coverage of attacks by opposing armed resistance groups and remain silent on such incidents.

As host of the Vienna Process on Afghanistan, he emphasised the need for political solutions to the country’s ongoing crisis.

In an exclusive interview with Afghanistan International, Petritsch stressed the importance of inclusive political dialogue and urged anti-Taliban political figures and groups to actively participate in the upcoming Vienna talks. He emphasised that decisions about Afghanistan must be made with full involvement from Afghan stakeholders themselves.

Petritsch stated, “Since 2023, there have been ongoing discussions on creating a roadmap. Now is the time for opposition leaders to act decisively and work towards a unified and actionable plan.” He underlined the importance of establishing initial contact with the Taliban as a first step towards meaningful negotiations.

Highlighting the aims of the Vienna Process, Petritsch noted that the objective is not to provoke further conflict, but to open the door to intra-Afghan dialogue. “The Taliban are a political reality in Afghanistan,” he said. “We must avoid additional war and instead focus on ways to bring all sides to the negotiating table.”

He stressed that global actors particularly the United States, the European Union, and influential regional powers must apply coordinated pressure on the Taliban to compel them to engage with non-Taliban political and military forces.

Petritsch also suggested that moderate voices exist within the Taliban who may be open to the idea of elections and inclusive governance. He pointed to the Doha Agreement, in which the Taliban committed to dialogue with all Afghan factions, and said that these commitments must now be fulfilled.

“The goal is to transform intra-Afghan dialogue into a practical and constructive political process,” he added.

Since the fall of the former Afghan government, the Vienna Process has emerged as the most prominent international platform for the Afghan opposition. Its fifth session was held in February, with participation from key figures such as Ahmad Massoud of the National Resistance Front and Yasin Zia of the Afghanistan Freedom Front.

The deportations are part of the second phase of Islamabad’s crackdown on undocumented migrants, primarily targeting Afghan citizens.

As of 1 April, a total of 100,529 Afghans have been expelled, out of an estimated three million Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan, according to the United Nations. The campaign has intensified across several provinces, including Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

In March, Pakistani authorities announced the renewed deportation drive, accusing Afghan migrants of involvement in drug trafficking and “supporting terrorism.” The statement was followed by widespread arrests and detentions, prompting concerns from human rights groups and international organisations.

Many of the deported Afghans had lived in Pakistan for decades, some arriving as early as the 1980s during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The return to a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, which is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian and economic crises in its history, has left many in shock and despair.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised alarm over the growing humanitarian crisis. With approximately 5,000 migrants returning to Afghanistan each week, the organisation warned that millions are now facing deepening poverty and widespread displacement. The ICRC noted that more than half of Afghanistan’s population is reliant on humanitarian assistance.

According to the state-run Bakhtar News Agency, senior officials from both governments, along with over 400 traders and investors from the two countries, took part in the event. The forum focused on strengthening commercial ties and exploring new opportunities for investment across various sectors.

Bakhtar reported that the event will conclude with a two-day exhibition featuring a wide range of products and goods from both Afghan and Kazakh businesses.

Speaking at the forum, Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting an “advanced and independent” Afghanistan. He highlighted the growing economic relationship between the two nations, noting Kazakhstan’s readiness to cooperate in key sectors including railways, transportation, logistics, agriculture, technology, mining, and healthcare.

Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, also addressed the gathering, stating that trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan has increased by 32 percent since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. He added that both countries are working towards raising their annual trade volume to USD 3 billion.