UN Supports 80000 Women-Led Small Businesses In Afghanistan, Says UNDP

In an interview with the state-run Bakhtar News Agency, Khairkhwa said official recognition of the Taliban would have a positive impact on Afghanistan’s economy and help attract foreign investment.

He stressed that the international community must accept the reality, and added that security has been restored in Afghanistan, narcotics production has been halted, and corruption has been eradicated. According to the minister, these achievements are significant not only for Afghanistan, but for the entire world.

Khairkhwa added that several countries are already engaging with the Taliban and are, in his view, close to recognising the group’s rule. He argued that Russia’s move toward recognition would have positive regional and global repercussions, and that it would encourage international investors to return to Afghanistan.

He also claimed that the Taliban, for the first time in decades, have succeeded in establishing centralised authority across the entire country.

Despite such assertions, most governments and international organisations maintain that the Taliban have not met the key conditions required for recognition. These include forming an inclusive government, ensuring respect for human rights especially women’s rights, and taking credible action against terrorism and drug trafficking.

Many Western and regional governments continue to express concern over the presence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of allowing fighters from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups to use Afghan soil to launch cross-border attacks, with thousands of militants reportedly based in Afghanistan.

The United Nations and independent international monitors have also raised alarm over the activities of ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province), while reports suggest al-Qaeda is attempting to re-establish itself in the country.

In addition, the presence of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Uyghur militants, and Ansarullah in Afghanistan is viewed as a serious security concern by China and Central Asian states.

Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the NRF, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday that there are “credible reports” confirming a Chinese presence at the Bagram strategic airbase north of Kabul.

Nazary accused the Taliban of enabling regional and international terrorist networks and acting as a proxy for foreign powers. He argued that the Taliban have never fought for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, but rather for “extremist ideology and personal gain by exploiting the people and resources of the country.”

He warned that any use of Afghanistan’s territory, assets or resources by foreign entities without the consent of its people is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly claimed that Bagram Airbase is now under Chinese control. In a recent statement, Trump once again asserted that China is operating the base.

The Taliban, however, have previously denied any foreign military presence at Bagram. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated last year that Afghanistan is independent, and Taliban will not hand over Afghan soil to any country.

Reports in bne IntelliNews, citing The Telegraph, recently claimed that China has taken over operations at the former US military facility in Bagram.

However, former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad rejected the reports, saying on Saturday that claims about Chinese control of the base are “not accurate.”

Originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, Bagram was significantly expanded during the US presence in Afghanistan. The base features two runways, dozens of aircraft shelters, and infrastructure capable of hosting thousands of troops.

A former NATO official recently today Reuters that Bagram is a strategic asset, and its use by any foreign power will have regional consequences.

Otunbayeva was accompanied by Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan. During a meeting with Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban-appointed governor of Herat, she said her visit aimed to directly observe the border situation and better understand the challenges facing returnees.

According to a statement released by the governor’s office, Otunbayeva said the United Nations is working with relevant agencies to amplify the voices of returning migrants and to mobilise greater international cooperation in managing the crisis.

Islamjar expressed appreciation for international support provided to Afghan migrants and attributed the current wave of deportations to “foreign aggression and the consequences of climate change.”

He urged the UN to conduct a thorough on-site assessment of the migrants’ condition and to help address their most urgent needs.

The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Affairs previously reported that more than 500,000 Afghans have been expelled from Iran in the past 19 days alone, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian pressure on border regions like Herat.

During the meeting, Muttaqi described ties between the two countries as important and expressed gratitude for what he called Qatar’s “vital” role in supporting the Taliban at international forums and meetings.

According to the ministry’s statement, Al-Qashouti said that Qatar-Afghanistan relations under Taliban control were “progressing” and reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to assist in strengthening the Taliban’s foreign relations.

Qatar has played a key role in both bilateral and multilateral engagement with the Taliban and remains one of the few countries maintaining formal political contact with the group.

In 2013, with the approval of the United States and the former Afghan government, Qatar permitted the opening of the Taliban’s political office in Doha. This office later served as the main platform for peace talks between the United States and the Taliban.

Although Qatar has not formally recognised the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan, it continues to engage with the group through sustained diplomatic channels.

Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the ministry, said the arrests took place in the village of Dara-e-Ashaqan in Tala wa Barfak district. The individuals were reportedly detained at a guesthouse while allegedly drinking alcohol.

Khyber also accused the detainees of engaging in other “un-Islamic activities” alongside alcohol consumption. He stated that the suspects were transferred to judicial authorities following a preliminary investigation.

Under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is empowered to monitor citizens’ behaviour across all provinces. Mohtasibs, or religious enforcers, are authorised to enforce regulations on public conduct, dress, and morality, in line with the group’s vision of Sharia.