Taliban Cancels Landmark Oil Deal With Chinese Company Over Contract Violations

In a statement issued this week, ministry spokesperson Saif-ul-Islam Khyber warned that individuals who violate the directive will face serious legal consequences. “No one should misuse social media,” he said, adding that online platforms must be used solely for “sharing accurate information, business, education, and public awareness.”

The announcement marks the latest in a series of restrictions the Taliban have imposed on digital platforms. The ministry, in coordination with the Taliban’s intelligence agency, has previously detained and reportedly tortured several social media users accused of spreading anti-Taliban content.

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have sharply curtailed freedom of expression in Afghanistan. Special monitoring teams have been established to surveil online behaviour, track dissenting voices, and enforce digital compliance with the regime’s strict ideological rules.

Yerkin Tokumov, an experienced diplomat and academic, was named to the post by direct order of the president, according to an official statement from the presidential office. Tokumov has previously served at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, working under the supervision of the president.

Born in 1973, Tokumov holds advanced degrees in international relations and philosophy, and has long been involved in foreign policy and regional affairs.

While Kazakhstan does not officially recognise the Taliban government, it maintains ongoing diplomatic and economic relations with the group. In January 2024, Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations, signalling a shift in its approach to Afghanistan.

The ship, which arrived on Saturday, 14 June, carried 20,000 tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser from Townsville, Australia, destined for Afghanistan.

“This is part of our sustained efforts to operationalise Gwadar Port as a strategic trade gateway for landlocked Afghanistan,” Chaudhry said in a statement.

Irfan Ahmed, head of Gwadar Port, confirmed that the berthing and unloading operations were completed efficiently and without incident.

The first Afghan transit cargo vessel arrived at Gwadar Port on 3 February 2025. The latest shipment was facilitated by a private company.

This development comes shortly after Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) removed the requirement for bank guarantees on trade with Afghanistan , a move aimed at facilitating smoother bilateral commerce and strengthening regional connectivity.

The ministry did not release the identity of the individual, details of the arrest, the location of the incident, or the current status of the case.

The video, which sparked outrage online, shows a young Chinese man seated in a vehicle being verbally harassed by several individuals. Social media users strongly condemned the behaviour, calling for accountability.

The incident comes as the Taliban seek to promote Afghanistan as a secure destination for international visitors. On 30 April 2024, the Associated Press reported that the Taliban have begun offering tourism management training to help develop the country’s travel industry.

According to the report, Afghanistan recorded approximately 7,000 foreign tourists last year, with numbers steadily increasing since the Taliban’s return to power.

Mohammad Saeed, head of the Taliban’s tourism directorate in Kabul, said Chinese nationals currently represent the largest group of foreign tourists in the country, citing geographic proximity and China’s large population as key factors.

In a statement released on Sunday, the AFF said the attack took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday in the main square of Taloqan city.

Local sources in Takhar confirmed to Afghanistan International that an explosion was heard in the city on Saturday night, consistent with the timing of the reported attack.

The Taliban have not yet issued a statement regarding the explosion or the AFF’s claim. Independent verification of the casualties has not been made available.