The European Union announced on Monday it has allocated 19.8 million euros to the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Cultural Services in order to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, reducing dependence on humanitarian aid.

The project “Economic Resilience, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Job Creation in Afghanistan” is totally valued 22 million euros, and it aims to address the immediate needs of Afghan communities while fostering long-term economic stability, inclusion, and resilience, EU said in a statement.

“Millions in Afghanistan remain trapped in poverty, with women disproportionately bearing the burden,” stated Veronika Boskovic Pohar, EU Chargée d’Affaires a.i., EU Delegation to Afghanistan. “This initiative supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth, helping communities build self-reliance. By enhancing employment, income generation, and productivity, it promotes resilient livelihoods, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups, including youth, returnees, internally displaced people, and farmers affected by the poppy ban.”

“The program also considers the severe impact of climate change in Afghanistan by introducing climate-smart technologies and helping communities withstand climate-induced shocks. Additionally, the EU recognise the importance of access to finance and continues to support it through Community-Based Savings Groups under this initiative.”

Over a 36-month implementation period, the program will directly benefit 34,200 households and reach an estimated 292,544 people indirectly, with a strong emphasis on youth and women.

Women’s economic empowerment is at the heart of this initiative, with 26,793 women expected to benefit directly and an additional 146,272 indirectly, through activities such as women-led dairy initiatives. To meet their specific needs, the project offers tailored training and business development support. 

Acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate Amir Khan Muttaqi and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov visited the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project in Afghanistan.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, the two sides discussed the railway expansion, construction of railway warehouses in Turghundi, the transmission of optical fiber, and creation of facilities in visa and transportation, in addition to implementing the TAPI project.

The Turkmen FM briefed on the progress of the TAPI pipeline construction in Afghanistan, the pace of work, and the next steps.

The two sides agreed that technical teams would continue to meet in Kabul and Ashgabat to accelerate the work of the TAPI project, expand railway, electricity issue, and transportation facilities, simplification of visa issuance and economic cooperation.

The TAPI pipeline is 1,821 kilometers long and has an annual transport capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas, making it one of the largest regional infrastructure projects.

Khyber Pakh­­tun­khwa Chief Mini­ster Ali Amin Gandapur said on Sunday that the federal government now wants talks with Kabul regarding security matters, after rejecting his earlier proposal in this regard.

Speaking to the media, Gandapur said his call for direct negotiations with Afghanistan was dismissed and his statement was taken out of context. Without referring to anyone, he said that when they disagreed earlier, he was compelled to speak out because KP is the province bearing the brunt of these issues, Dawn newspaper reported.

“Now, the federal government has approached me, saying the problems will not be resolved without negotiations (with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan),” he said, regretting that he still did not see any seriousness from the federal government.

The chief minister stressed that Afghanistan, as a neighbouring country, must be engaged in dialogue because the law and order situation in KP could not be resolved without talks.

Referring to militants, Gandapur said that an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 “elements” were operating on the Pakistani side of the border, while 22,000 to 24,000 were present across the border in Afghanistan.

He noted that action could not be taken against militants across the border because once they crossed into Afghan territory, they went out of Pakistan’s reach.

Gandapur also stre­ssed that Pakistan could not afford both a confrontation with Afghanistan and effo­rts to resolve the issues at the same time, especially keeping in view Afgha­nistan’s past successful resistance against superpowers like the United States and the Soviet Union.

Gandapur also criticised the IEA, which he said had failed to maintain peace within its own borders. He acknowledged that multiple international actors rem­ained active in Afghanistan, contributing to longstanding instability along the border.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are orchestrated in Afghanistan. The IEA, however, has denied the claims, saying that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan's "security failure."