Business
$1 billion US aid cut to ‘hit Afghan security force funds’
The US would cut $1 billion of its aid to Afghanistan from funds for Afghan security forces, Reuters reported citing to US sources.
The sources have told Reuters that the aid cut would undercut both Kabul’s ability to fight the Taliban and its leverage to negotiate a peace deal with them.
After the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo failed to convince Ghani and Abdullah to an agreement to resolve the political disputes following the announcement of the results of the election, the US announced a $1 Billion reductions in aid to the country.
Pompeo, however, said the aid cut could be reversed if the two sides resolved their dispute.
Meanwhile, the US’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, said in a tweet that international aid requires partnership with an inclusive government, referring to Afghanistan.
“It can’t be business as usual for international donors in Afghanistan. International aid requires partnership with an inclusive government and we all must hold Afghan leaders accountable to agree on a governing arrangement,” Wells said.
Two U.S. congressional aides have told Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter that State Department officials told Congress the $1 billion would come from a $4.2 billion Pentagon fund that underwrites about three-quarters of the Afghan security forces’ annual budget.
“The idea they would cut security forces funding goes against U.S. national security interests,” one aide has told Reuters, arguing the money is needed to maintain the U.S.-backed government’s ability to fight the Taliban while preserving its bargaining power in peace talks.
Most of the fund pays for salaries, food, fuel, equipment, and infrastructure to support Afghan troops and national police, the report said.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, chief of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan political party, has called for the immediate reopening of crossings along the disputed Durand Line and the regularisation of trade with Iran, warning that prolonged border restrictions are worsening economic hardship for communities on both sides.
Speaking at a public gathering in Zhob, in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Rehman said restoring cross-border trade was essential for reviving Pakistan’s struggling economy and reducing pressure on ordinary citizens already grappling with inflation and unemployment.
He proposed the formation of a joint committee made up of tribal elders, business leaders and local representatives to help restore trade, resolve disputes and maintain stability along the border region.
Rehman also called for the establishment of special trade zones along the Durand Line to facilitate legal commerce and create employment opportunities in areas heavily dependent on cross-frontier movement.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader criticised current management policies, alleging that crossings were being opened selectively for the benefit of a small group of traders while thousands of transport workers, merchants and families continued to suffer financially from the closures.
Major crossings along the Durand Line have remained largely shut since October 11 following intense clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces and Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that reportedly killed dozens of people on both sides.
The violence sharply escalated already strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan-based militants of carrying out cross-border attacks, claims the Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied.
The prolonged restrictions have severely disrupted trade and travel between the two countries, particularly affecting frontier provinces where local economies rely heavily on the movement of goods, fuel and agricultural products.
Traders and transport unions in both Afghanistan and Pakistan have repeatedly warned that continued closures are causing heavy financial losses and worsening shortages in some areas.
Several major international pharmaceutical companies could invest in medicine production in Afghanistan as part of growing cooperation between UN agencies and Afghan authorities, who hope to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
The development was highlighted during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Din Mohammad Hanif, and UNICEF Representative Tajudeen Oyewale, where discussions focused heavily on improving healthcare access and expanding pharmaceutical capacity.
UNICEF officials indicated that several global drug manufacturers are preparing to coordinate with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health on establishing or supporting local medicine production.
The aim is to improve the availability of essential medicines for humanitarian operations while also strengthening supply in domestic markets.
The proposed investments are expected to reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals and improve access to essential treatments, particularly in areas affected by economic hardship and ongoing humanitarian needs.
Alongside the pharmaceutical plans, UNICEF reaffirmed its continued commitment to humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, including programmes addressing food insecurity, climate-related pressures, and support for returning migrants.
According to figures discussed in the meeting, $520 million has been requested from international donors to support returnees. Of this, $100 million is allocated for emergency assistance, while $420 million is intended for longer-term resettlement and reintegration support.
Afghan authorities welcomed the prospect of expanded pharmaceutical investment, with Din Mohammad Hanif stressing the importance of development cooperation, job creation, and increased international engagement to support economic stability.
Officials said strengthening the pharmaceutical sector could become a key pillar in Afghanistan’s broader efforts to improve healthcare resilience and move toward greater self-sufficiency in essential medical supplies.
Afghanistan has sharply increased imports of grain from Kazakhstan, with deliveries rising 2.3-fold between September 2025 and May 20, 2026, according to Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry.
During that period, Kazakhstan exported around 3 million tons of grain to Afghanistan, compared to 1.3 million tons in the same period a year earlier.
The increase comes as Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry said this week that wheat imports into the country have risen by 345% following changes in customs tariffs aimed at supporting domestic production. According to the ministry, tariffs on imported wheat flour were gradually increased from 5% to 8%, while duties on wheat imports were reduced to encourage local flour processing.
Officials said nearly 198,000 tons of wheat were imported during the first two months of the 1405 fiscal year, compared to 44,000 tons during the same period last year. The ministry added that the policy has helped expand operations at domestic flour factories, increase local production, and create more job opportunities.
Iran and US trade air strikes after Trump dismisses report of Hormuz deal
Saar: IEA seeking Sharia-based global engagement
Prime Minister stresses support for returnees and disaster victims in Eid message
Turkmenistan, UNAMA review regional projects to boost Afghanistan’s economy
‘We will never bow our heads before infidels,’ says IEA Supreme Leader
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Afghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Afghanistan launches first 5G trial in Kabul to boost telecom services
Large blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
Saar: IEA seeking Sharia-based global engagement
Tahawol: Islamic Emirate defense minister’s visit to Russia
Saar: Calls to expand Afghanistan-Qatar ties discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan-Japan relations reviewed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries, incl Russia and China discussed
-
Business4 days agoMajor pharma firms eye investment in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoChina restricts export of chemical substances to Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoDeadly shooting near Kabul’s Sarai Shahzada leaves four dead
-
Sport3 days agoIPL 2026 Playoffs Confirmed: RCB, GT, SRH and RR reach top four
-
Regional4 days agoAt least 24 killed in deadly train bombing in Pakistan’s Balochistan
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA Supreme Leader urges unity, preservation of Islamic system in Eid al-Adha message
-
Latest News3 days agoMoscow expects UNAMA mission in Afghanistan to continue under certain conditions: Kabulov
-
Sport23 hours agoAfghanistan announce squad for India series