Latest News
IEA confirms 280 radio stations currently on-air in the country
Acknowledging World Radio Day on Tuesday, February 13, the Ministry of Information and Culture said the Islamic Emirate is committed to supporting the media and confirmed that 280 radio stations are currently on air across Afghanistan.
Deputy minister Mahajer Farahi said: “Currently, there are about 280 radio stations in our country, including Kabul, in all the provinces and districts of the country.”
After print media, radio was the second media type in Afghanistan.
The first radio station in Afghanistan began broadcasting in 1927 in Kabul and over the years, before the arrival of TV, radio was the main source of information in the country.
One popular radio service in Afghanistan is Ariana FM, which was launched in 2005.
Nabila Mohammadi, an employee of Ariana FM, said: “Regarding the fact that there is no television or electricity in some houses, our radio listeners can listen to the radio even on their telephones and in their cars.”
Ali Heidari, another Ariana FM employee, said: “After the developments in the country [in 2021], a number of private and government radios started operating again, and the radios found a very good position.”
The office of the deputy head of the UN in Kabul also acknowledged World Radio Day and said it is difficult to imagine a world without radio. The office said the organization supports freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
Last year, 24 new radio stations were established in the country and 19 others, who had suspended broadcasts, restarted.
Hojatullah Mujadadi, the head of the Free Journalist Association of Afghanistan, said: “We are celebrating World Radio Day while there are 358 media outlets in Afghanistan … of which around 1,800 male and 270 female employees are engaged in sharing media information to the Afghan people.”
Abdul Qadim Weyar, the head of the Committee for the Immunity of Journalists, said: “There are currently between 250 to 300 radio stations in Afghanistan.”
However, not having timely access to information is the biggest problem for journalists, and many media outlets also face financial difficulties.
The first radio station in Afghanistan named Radio Kabul was established in 1925 and its first program was broadcast in 1927. Radio Kabul is still broadcasting.
Roza Otunbayeva, Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), recently visited the city of Maimana in northern Afghanistan, where she met with local officials, entrepreneurs, and UN staff.
UNAMA wrote on its Facebook page on Sunday, that during the visit, entrepreneurs — including women — met with Otunbayeva, and requested support to facilitate access to new markets, particularly in Uzbekistan.
UNAMA further stated that among these entrepreneurs was a group of women who, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), had established a tailoring workshop.
They expressed their appreciation for the support received and spoke about the significant growth and development of their business.
UNAMA added that the organization remains committed to promoting economic opportunities and empowering Afghan communities, especially women.
Anand Prakash, head of the Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, met with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul for talks on various issues.
According to a press release issued Sunday by the Afghan Foreign Ministry, bilateral political relations, trade, transit and recent political developments in the region were discussed in the meeting.
Muttaqi stressed the need for the expansion of diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries and explained that Afghanistan currently offers favorable opportunities for investment. He said Indian investors should take advantage of these opportunities.
He also said that facilities should be created for the movement of people between Afghanistan and India and the issuance of visas for medical purposes, students and businessmen should return to normal.
Meanwhile, Prakash said that relations with Afghanistan are important for India and he hopes that these relations will expand further in various fields.
He stressed that India will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan and wants to invest in some infrastructure projects and restart projects that were paused for some time.
The two sides also emphasized the expansion of relations, the exchange of delegations, visa facilitation and bilateral cooperation.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said in a phone call with his Uzbek counterpart that Afghanistan is fully prepared for the implementation of the Trans-Afghan railway project.
During the call, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as expanding political, economic and transit cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said in a statement on Sunday.
Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov noted that Afghanistan’s exports to Uzbekistan have tripled in the first four months of 2025 compared to last year. He vowed to create more facilities in the field of trade and transit between the two countries, especially in issuing visas to Afghan citizens.
Meanwhile, Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is fully prepared for the implementation of major economic projects such as the Trans-Afghan railway project and for the strengthening of political, trade and transit cooperation with Uzbekistan. He said that the existing opportunities should be utilized for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
The two sides also discussed the holding of a trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan at the level of foreign ministers and agreed to coordinate through diplomatic channels to determine the exact date and place of the meeting.
The three neighboring countries signed an agreement in February 2021 to construct a 573-kilometer railway line through Afghanistan, connecting landlocked Central Asia to Pakistan seaports, with an estimated cost of $4.8 billion to enhance regional economic connectivity.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Uzbek foreign minister last Thursday to discuss the Trans-Afghan railway project.
Dar expressed hope that the three countries would soon sign a framework agreement on this important regional project.
Tahawol: Events of 7th and 8th Saur reviewed
Saar: Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism discussed
UNAMA chief visits northern Afghanistan, meets local officials including women
Afghan businessman to invest up to $12 million in iron ore extraction in Panjshir
Senior Indian official meets with FM Muttaqi in Kabul
South Korea, China, Japan seek regional trade amid Trump tariffs
Global organizations warn of health crisis due to aid cuts in Afghanistan
IPL 2025: Batters in race for prestigious Orange Cap
Myanmar quake death toll hits 1,700 as aid scramble intensifies
As Iran tensions build, US military moves warplanes to reinforce Middle East
Tahawol: Events of 7th and 8th Saur reviewed
Saar: Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism discussed
Tahawol: Possible consequences of India-Pakistan tensions reviewed
Saar: Ongoing efforts to start Afghan-Trans project work discussed
Tahawol: Key factors behind Gaza escalation reviewed
-
Sport4 days agoSri Lanka A defeats Afghanistan A by 4 wickets in Abu Dhabi
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan’s growth prospects remain uncertain amid global uncertainty: World Bank report
-
World5 days agoUkraine ready to hold talks with Russia once ceasefire in place, Zelenskiy says
-
Latest News4 days agoAWCC activates new site in Nangarhar’s Kuz Kunar district
-
Latest News4 days agoTarig Ali Bakheet and Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister discuss Afghanistan’s situation
-
Climate Change5 days agoPowerful earthquake of 6.2 magnitude shakes Istanbul
-
Business4 days agoPakistan’s deputy PM discusses Trans-Afghan Railway Line project with Uzbek FM
-
Latest News4 days agoSpecial meeting will be held to launch Afghanistan–Russia joint commission, says Kabulov