Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs says a nationwide campaign against narcotics, with a particular focus on synthetic drugs, is being intensified as authorities seek to curb the growing threat posed by illicit substances.

Speaking at a seminar in Kabul titled “Causes of Youth Drug Addiction and Prevention Methods,” Abdul Haq Mati, Head of Survey and Analysis at the Counter-Narcotics Deputy Office of the Ministry of Interior, said significant progress has been made in combating traditional narcotics. However, he noted that synthetic drugs remain a major challenge, with many of these substances being smuggled into the country from neighboring states.

Mati said security and law enforcement agencies are tasked with identifying, arresting and referring key figures involved in drug trafficking networks to judicial authorities. He added that efforts to prevent the trafficking and distribution of synthetic drugs are continuing across the country.

The seminar brought together students, officials from the Counter-Narcotics Department and university professors to discuss the causes of youth addiction and strategies for prevention.

Officials described synthetic drugs as one of the country’s most pressing concerns and said targeted programs have been introduced to combat the problem, building on measures previously used against traditional narcotics.

While acknowledging the progress made in anti-narcotics efforts, several university professors stressed that security measures alone would not be sufficient to address the issue. They called for greater investment in employment opportunities, education and social development initiatives aimed at tackling the root causes of addiction.

Participants also highlighted the importance of effectively managing and disrupting the entire narcotics supply chain, from street-level distribution to larger trafficking networks, as a key component in reducing the social and economic impact of drug abuse.

Students attending the seminar said awareness campaigns play an important role in prevention but argued that unemployment and limited access to education remain major factors that leave young people vulnerable to drug use.

The event, organized by a university in cooperation with the Counter-Narcotics Department, concluded with calls for stronger youth-focused programs, continued enforcement of anti-drug laws and greater efforts to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Participants agreed that a combination of prevention, public awareness, employment opportunities and law enforcement remains essential to protecting young people from drug addiction and curbing the spread of narcotics across the country.

Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, on Sunday called for a reduction in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

During his visit to Kabul, he said that disputes between the two countries should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

Zhumangarin stated that Afghanistan and Pakistan, as two neighboring Muslim countries, should settle all disagreements at the negotiating table. He added that Kazakhstan is ready to play a mediating role and assist in easing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad if formally requested.

“Any conflict should be resolved through dialogue,” he said. “The President of Kazakhstan also emphasizes this point, and we urge both sides to address all disputed issues through diplomatic means.”

The Kazakh deputy prime minister also highlighted his country’s close relations with Afghanistan, noting that Astana kept its embassy in Kabul open even during difficult periods. According to him, Kazakhstan was among the first countries to grant official status to its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan and appoint a resident ambassador in Kabul.

Zhumangarin further said that Kazakhstan was the first country to remove the Islamic Emirate from its list of banned organizations. He also noted that Afghanistan’s embassy in Kazakhstan and its consulate general in Almaty continue to operate.

The Kazakh official expressed hope that the issue of formally recognizing the Islamic Emirate would progress through diplomatic and political processes and reach a conclusion in the near future.

A high-level Kazakh delegation led by Serik Zhumangarin arrived in Kabul on June 20. During meetings with officials of the Islamic Emirate, the delegation discussed expanding economic, trade, and political cooperation between the two countries.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a significant rise in the number of deportation flights to Afghanistan.

“Three charter flights per month are possible in future,” a ministerial spokeswoman told dpa in Berlin following reports in the Sunday media.

“In addition, individual repatriations using commercial flights are possible at all times,” the spokeswoman added.

The expansion follows talks between Interior Ministry representatives and the Islamic Emirate.

As the German government does not recognize the Islamic Emirate authorities in Kabul, the talks are referred to in Germany as taking place at a “technical level.”

Germany recently repatriated 32 Afghans by charter flight. The deported included men convicted of crimes, including murder, rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, drug dealing and extortion.

“Those abusing our protection and committing serious crimes here have to seek their futures in their home country,” Dobrindt told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.