Business
Pakistan’s Airspace Opened For Afghan Flights
Pakistan opened its airspace for all civilian traffic including the Afghan flights after over four months of closure on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Transport says that though alternative ways were used for the flights from Afghanistan to India, Afghanistan lost 27 million dollars due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
“We lost more than 27 million dollars. We are trying to have alternative ways in addition to Pakistan’s airspace,” said Mahdi Rohani, the Spokesperson of Transport Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) welcomes the opening of Pakistan’s airspace and says that it will increase the export of Afghan fruits through this way.
“We hope the decision of Pakistan to be permanent otherwise it would not be helpful to the private sector,” said Shafiqullah Attayi, the Deputy of the ACCI.
At the same time, the economic experts stress that the opening of Pakistan’s airspace to Afghanistan benefits both countries.
They believe that good relations between the two countries can result in the region’s economic growth.
Though Pakistan’s airspace has opened, the flight tickets’ price has not changed yet.
However, the officials of private companies say that the price of flight tickets will reduce and the number of passengers will increase after the 18th of July.
Local authorities in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province say a 23-point memorandum of understanding (MOU has been signed with Afghan officials following a recent visit by an Iranian delegation to Nimroz, aimed at deepening economic cooperation and boosting cross-border trade.
Mojib Hassani, Deputy for Economic Coordination and Regional Development in Sistan and Baluchestan, said the visit produced significant outcomes, particularly in expanding small-scale trade, activating border markets, and strengthening bilateral economic ties, IRNA news agency reported.
He noted that Iran is fully prepared to launch local border markets in Shahgol, Milak, and Gomshad, but implementation will depend on readiness from the Afghan side. According to Hassani, the necessary infrastructure has already been completed on Iran’s side of the border.
Trade through official crossings remains ongoing, he said, with livestock imports among the key commodities exchanged—especially ahead of Eid al-Adha, when demand typically rises.
Hassani added that the 23-point framework was developed following the Afghan Minister of Commerce’s visit to Iran, with a strong focus on improving and expanding infrastructure to facilitate trade.
Among the early outcomes of the agreement is the construction of a temporary road linking two border markets, completed within a short timeframe and already contributing to increased trade flows.
He also confirmed Iran’s readiness to build a second border bridge, noting that some equipment has already been deployed. However, further progress on the project—currently around 30 percent complete—will require coordination with Afghan authorities.
Plans are also underway to install an X-ray scanning system at the border, with the process accelerated and expected to be finalized by the end of Jawza (June).
In addition, Hassani said broader infrastructure projects, including road expansion and rail development in the region, are being considered, though they will take time to implement.
He further highlighted efforts in Iran’s Chabahar Free Zone to facilitate Afghan traders, including the development of commercial storage facilities and the allocation of land for business use.
Iranian officials say these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transform the shared border into a hub for sustainable economic cooperation between the two countries.
Business
Afghanistan and Shanghai Chambers sign trade and investment cooperation agreement
The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Afghan delegation and stressed the importance of expanding practical and long-term economic cooperation between the two sides.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has announced that a high-level delegation led by Sayed Karim Hashimi held talks with the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chinese investors in Shanghai.
During the meeting, Hashimi described Shanghai as one of the world’s leading economic and investment hubs, emphasizing Afghanistan’s strategic location in the heart of Asia as a key bridge between Central and East Asia.
He highlighted China’s Belt and Road Initiative as a major opportunity for regional economic cooperation and reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to actively participate in the framework.
Hashimi also said Afghanistan’s private sector is prepared to expand cooperation with Chinese investors in mining, agriculture, industry, transit, logistics, technology, manufacturing, carpets, precious stones, medical products, and banking sectors.
The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Afghan delegation and stressed the importance of expanding practical and long-term economic cooperation between the two sides.
At the end of the meeting, a cooperation agreement on trade and investment was officially signed between the two chambers.
The delegation also included senior members of provincial chambers and leading Afghan business figures.
Business
CASA-1000 power project on track to launch in 2027
Once operational, CASA-1000 is expected to strengthen regional energy security, support economic integration, and expand electricity trade across Central and South Asia.
The long-delayed CASA-1000 energy project is expected to begin commercial operations in summer 2027, with construction in Afghanistan due for completion earlier that year, officials said.
Progress on the power project was reviewed during meetings in Dushanbe between April 18 and 20, involving Tajik authorities, Afghanistan’s state power utility Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, the World Bank, and engineering firm KAMANI Engineering Corporation.
Tajik Energy Minister Daler Juma said the project is key to boosting regional cooperation and enabling the export of surplus hydropower from Central Asia to energy-deficient markets in South Asia.
Construction has already been completed in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, while work continues in Afghanistan. According to officials, the Afghan segment is on track to be finalized by spring 2027, paving the way for full project operations later that summer.
Once operational, CASA-1000 is expected to strengthen regional energy security, support economic integration, and expand electricity trade across Central and South Asia.
UK deported 123 Afghan asylum seekers last year, just 2% of total
OIC envoy urges sustained aid and economic support for Afghanistan at Istanbul meeting
Afghanistan, Iran sign 23-point MoU to expand border trade
US judge rejects Trump administration’s halt on immigration applications
Afghan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens charity foundation in Kabul
IEA supreme leader orders replacement of foreign terminology in official documents
Afghanistan hosts inaugural Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation
Tripartite agreement to launch new Russia–Turkmenistan–Afghanistan transit corridor
Kazakhstan eyes rare metals mining projects in Afghanistan and Rwanda
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Tahawol: Concerns over current situation in Middle East
Documentary on Impartial Victims
Saar: Severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan reviewed
Tahawol: Russia’s claim over Afghanistan’s instability discussed
Saar: Conflict situation between Afghanistan-Pakistan discussed
-
Latest News5 days agoBayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
-
Latest News5 days agoIEA responds to Global Terrorism Index 2026, highlights security gains
-
Latest News4 days agoSix Pakistani soldiers killed in clashes with Afghan forces in Kandahar
-
Latest News4 days agoDozens of Kunar University staff and students wounded in Pakistani rocket attack
-
Sport4 days agoIPL double-header delivers drama: GT seal dominant win, KKR win Super Over
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan rocket attack on Kunar leaves 4 dead, dozens injured
-
World3 days agoTrump rejects latest Iranian proposal to end war, US official says
-
Regional4 days agoIran gave US a proposal for reopening the Strait Of Hormuz and ending the war, Axios reports