The Ministry of Economy in a new letter has warned that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) failing to stop women from working will be suspended and their licenses revoked.

Two years ago, the ministry had issued a similar letter ordering that women's work in NGOs be stopped.

Experts say that this restriction could have widespread negative effects on the provision of essential services in Afghanistan, especially as the country faces a severe economic crisis.

“In the existing circumstances, women’s work is inevitable for women. For example, in aid organizations and in fields that concern women, women must work. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan should pay special attention to this,” said political analyst Salim Paigir.

Some women’s rights activists also express concern about the increasing restrictions on women.

“The longer it goes on, the deeper the negative effects of such a decision will be and the more it will affect Afghan society. Such a decision will prevent poverty eradication and increase poverty because it prevents a large segment of Afghan society from working and earning an income,” said Adela Zamani, a women’s rights activist.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday that a soldier was killed and 11 others were injured when Afghan forces launched fire on multiple border posts in the Upper Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday.

The Afghan forces targeted border posts in Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha and Tari Mengal areas using both light and heavy weaponry, the paper said, adding that Pakistani security forces retaliated, inflicting significant losses on the other side.

Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over Afghan soil being used by militants for cross-border terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The attack on Pakistani border posts took place days after Pakistani military carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, killing around 50 people.

After the bombardment, Afghan authorities warned that they would retaliate, and on Saturday, Afghanistan’s defence ministry said that the country’s forces attacked “several points” across the Durand Line against “evil elements and their backers.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing Russian judicial and legal institutions to remove the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) from the country’s list of prohibited entities.

According to Interfax news agency, Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, previously stated that this legislation was introduced to ensure the legal framework for Russia’s interaction with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Russia has gradually developed relations with the Islamic Emirate, which President Putin referred to as Moscow’s ally in combating terrorism during July. The Russian State Duma approved the draft law on December 10, and it was passed by the Russian Parliament on December 17.

The draft law was introduced by several Russian Duma members on November 25, just one day after Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s National Security Council Secretary, visited Kabul. The law paves the way for removing the Islamic Emirate from Russia’s prohibited list.