Afghanistan's National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) says this (solar) year’s production of wheat totalled 4.83 million metric tons across the country, an increase of about 10% against last year. 

NSIA says the total area cultivated with wheat in Afghanistan this year is 12.2 million hectares. 

The directorate said in total, about 70 percent of cultivated agricultural land in the country is being used for wheat.

Officials said the main reason for the good harvest was timely rains and the switch from poppy farming to wheat. 

This increase is welcomed by officials, whose aim it is to encourage farmers to grow the cereal in order for the country to become self-sufficient. 

Currently Afghanistan needs a total of almost 7 million metric tons of wheat a year in order to cover the population’s needs. 

In order to determine the amount of wheat grown in the country, NSIA analyzed satellite images from the time of cultivation to harvest. 

Questions have been raised over Pakistan’s failure to appoint a new special envoy for Afghanistan after Asif Durrani, a retired diplomat, was removed from the post almost six weeks ago.

Sources familiar with the issue told Pakistan’s Express Tribune that Islamabad’s reluctance to appoint a new envoy “reflects Pakistan's strategy to avoid extensive engagement with the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) government due to its ongoing support for the banned TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan)”.

The Tribune reported that the government's hesitation stems from the ineffectiveness of the role, given the minimal diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that “officials at the Foreign Office believe they can manage Afghan affairs without needing a retired diplomat in the position”.

Regional countries and other stakeholders have typically appointed special representatives to address concerns and coordinate with international partners over issues relating to Afghanistan.

However, on September 10, the Pakistani government removed Durrani amid tensions with Kabul. No official explanation was provided.

The Tribune reports however, that tensions are running high, with Pakistan continuing to accuse the Islamic Emirate of not taking steps against the TTP in Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate meanwhile has repeatedly denied providing sanctuary to the militant group and has also urged Pakistan on numerous occasions to find a political settlement to the problem.

Pakistan, initially, did talk to the TTP at the request of the Islamic Emirate, but the talks soon collapsed and Pakistan saw an uptick in TTP attacks.

A technical survey and assessment for a new dam in Ghazni province has been carried out, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Water and Energy confirmed. 

Earlier this year, Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor, the Acting Minister of Energy and Water, met with elders and provincial officials from Qarabagh district in Ghazni province to discuss the construction project.

Mansoor pledged to implement the project after the Ghazni delegation mapped out the importance of the dam. 

On Tuesday, the ministry said a technical team from the ministry’s Survey and Design Department of the General Directorate of Engineering Services and Water Facilities has conducted a survey and assessment of the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province.

According to the ministry, once complete, the dam, which will be used to store water for irrigation purposes, will hold 60 million cubic meters of water.

Thousands of acres of agricultural land will be irrigated.