Iran Moves To Deny Compensation For Undocumented Afghan Migrants Injured In Accidents

Speaking at a conference on Saturday titled Assessment of the Environmental Situation in the Northern Zone, Khalis highlighted the escalating impact of climate change and environmental degradation across the country. The event, held in Mazar-e-Sharif, was attended by Taliban officials from Balkh province, as well as representatives of national and international organisations and environmental activists.

According to a statement from the agency, participants described Afghanistan as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, citing the intensifying effects of droughts, desertification, and dwindling water resources.

Noorul Hadi Abu Idris, the Taliban’s deputy governor for Balkh, noted that approximately 75 percent of the land in the north, west, and south is being affected by desertification. He warned that recurring droughts and the rapid depletion of natural resources have significantly reduced agricultural productivity and damaged ecosystems.

Khalis cited conflict, soil erosion, deforestation, rising temperatures, and over-extraction of groundwater as the main drivers of environmental decline. He stressed that the situation poses serious threats to food security and livelihoods, and urged the global community to prioritise Afghanistan in climate-related aid and environmental policy.

Afghanistan ranks among the ten countries most severely affected by climate change, grappling with extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, rainfall, and water scarcity.

Earlier this year, the International Organization for Migration reported that nearly five million people across Afghanistan were impacted by widespread flooding and avalanches in early 2025. The International Committee of the Red Cross also warned that groundwater levels in many parts of the country particularly in Kabul are dropping at an alarming rate.

“We demanded that the armed groups either return to Afghanistan or, if they are intent on fighting, leave populated areas and move toward the mountains,” said Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, a jirga member, during a media briefing.

The meeting was held in a mosque in the Mamund tehsil area. According to Pakistani media reports, TTP representatives responded by saying they would convey the jirga’s message to their “leaders in Afghanistan.” The group has not issued an official statement.

The talks come amid growing unrest in the region. On Monday, thousands of residents of the Tirah Valley staged a mass protest, demanding the removal of militants due to rising insecurity, economic hardship, and daily disruptions. The protest turned deadly when Pakistani security forces opened fire, killing at least three demonstrators and injuring eight others.

Despite the violence, tribal leaders pressed ahead with the peace effort. On Friday, they held a jirga reiterating calls for the withdrawal of TTP militants from the area.

Dawn newspaper reported Saturday that the TTP’s pledge to consult leadership in Afghanistan suggests the group’s command structure remains intact across the border. Pakistani officials estimate that approximately 4,000 TTP fighters are operating from within Afghanistan.

The Taliban administration in Kabul has repeatedly denied hosting the Pakistani Taliban on its soil.

However, in a report released Friday, 1 August, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) stated that terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, TTP, and Islamic State–Khorasan continue to operate within Afghanistan.

Additionally, earlier this year, three sources told Afghanistan International that TTP members had sought to acquire drones in Kabul and other Afghan cities for use against the Pakistani military.

According to a statement released on Saturday, 2 August, by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the project will be implemented over the next seven to ten years and aims to make Afghanistan self-sufficient in energy production.

Work on the project is set to begin on Sunday, 3 August, and will be carried out across multiple provinces. A joint technical team from the Ministry and Azizi Energy is expected to complete the initial survey within ten days, while the overall design is slated for completion within six months. The first phase generating between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatts will commence thereafter.

Azizi Energy stated that the project will use a combination of natural resources including coal, water, and wind to produce electricity. The company plans to generate around 700 megawatts from wind power alone.

Mirwais Azizi, chairman of Azizi Bank and Azizi Energy, said electricity generation is critical to Afghanistan’s economic recovery. He claimed the project would create more than 150,000 jobs and contribute significantly to reducing unemployment and boosting economic growth.

According to Taliban officials, 4,000 megawatts of the total output will be allocated for public use, while the remaining 6,000 megawatts will supply industrial facilities.

In January 2024, Azizi pledged a $10 billion investment in Afghanistan’s energy and transportation sectors. In February 2025, he also announced plans to build a $500 million medical complex in Kabul’s District 8, named after his daughter, Farishta. Despite the announcement, no visible progress on the hospital project has been reported six months later.

According to the data released on Saturday at least 141 of the visitors were women. Of the total number, 2,855 reportedly entered the country via land border crossings, while 46 arrived through airports.

The Taliban stated that 467 of the visitors cited tourism including visits to historical monuments and cultural sites as their primary reason for travelling to Afghanistan. Others reportedly came for work or study purposes.

The Taliban administration views tourism as a potential revenue stream and a way to bolster the country’s struggling economy. In recent months, officials have attempted to simplify visa processes and promote direct flights, while actively encouraging YouTube and TikTok travel vloggers to document their experiences in Afghanistan. The campaign aims to promote a narrative of security and stability under Taliban rule.

However, the group’s engagement with foreign social media influencers has sparked controversy. A notable example was the widely publicised visit of a foreign pornographic film actor to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a move that drew sharp criticism.

Rights advocates argue that while Afghan women face severe restrictions on their basic freedoms, foreign tourists are being used as tools in a propaganda effort designed to normalise the Taliban’s repressive governance.

According to a notice obtained by Afghanistan International, the return process officially began on August 1. The government has also started deporting Afghans whose Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or Afghan Citizen Registration (ACR) cards have expired.

Afghan migrants previously told Afghanistan International that Pakistan’s immigration authorities have suspended the visa renewal process. Police have reportedly begun arresting and deporting Afghans who were awaiting visa extensions.

The policy marks a continuation of Pakistan’s deportation drive, which began last year and drew widespread international criticism. Many Afghan refugees had fled Taliban persecution and face grave risks if forced to return.

Amnesty International said the government’s failure to renew PoR cards has left an estimated 1.4 million Afghans in legal limbo. The rights organisation has called on Islamabad to immediately halt the deportations and resume processing residency renewals for Afghan nationals.