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Afghanistan, Pakistan to establish cross-border bus services
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said on Saturday that passenger bus services between Afghanistan and Pakistan will be rolled out in the near future and will initially run between Kandahar and Quetta; and Nangarhar and Peshawar.
According to officials, private bus companies from both countries will provide the services.
“Five Afghan and five Pakistani companies will provide services for passengers. We want to expand such transit and transport services with other neighboring countries,” said Amamudin Ahmadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Members of the Afghanistan transport companies association welcomed the move but said government needs to establish similar services to other neighboring countries.
“Afghanistan has transport companies with good capabilities and a lot of investment has been made in this sector,” said Mohammad Nabi Afghan, the deputy head of the association.
Afghan transport operators meanwhile said they can provide services based on international standards.
“We have imported [modern] vehicles which do not exist in neighboring countries or in the region. We are ready to work with neighboring countries,” said Mohammad Nasim Wardak, head of a private transport company.
Economic analysts on the other hand stated that passenger bus services will boost economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Passenger bus services with Pakistan can expand economic cooperation between the two countries and can create an atmosphere of trust,” said Abadullah Darman, a university professor.
Analysts meanwhile also called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to consider establishing bus services to and from other countries in the region.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
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Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
Afghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
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Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Bush Institute criticizes Trump administration’s Afghan immigration freeze
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Afghanistan economy under pressure as Pakistan shocks reshape trade flows
Gaza death toll tops 70,000, health ministry says
India set to establish pharmaceutical factories in Afghanistan: MoIC
Afghanistan offers tax breaks, free land to attract Indian investors
Tahawol: Iran’s pledges to facilitate trade with Afghanistan discussed
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