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Qosh Tepa Canal phase 2 surpasses 81% completion

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In a significant milestone for Afghanistan’s infrastructure development, officials from the National Development Corporation (NDC) have announced that the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal in northern Afghanistan is now 81 percent complete, with the construction of its dam progressing steadily at 67 percent. This ambitious project is poised to transform the region, enhancing irrigation systems and boosting agricultural productivity.

The ongoing work on this irrigation project is taking place in the Andkhoy district of Faryab province, where hundreds of machines are actively involved. NDC officials have confirmed that the second phase of the canal will be completed in the coming months.

Nabiullah Arghandiwal, spokesperson for the NDC, stated, “The second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal is currently 81 percent complete, with thousands of machines and workers engaged in the project.”

Arghandiwal also highlighted the construction of six large bridges along the canal in Balkh and Jawzjan provinces. Two of the bridges are completed, and the remaining four are expected to be operational soon.

Economic experts believe that once completed, the canal will help Afghanistan achieve self-sufficiency in grain production and generate numerous job opportunities in various sectors.

Young workers involved in the project have expressed their satisfaction with the employment opportunities it provides. They are calling on the government to launch similar development projects to combat youth unemployment.

Abdul Ghani, a worker, remarked, “This project is progressing very well, and I urge the Islamic Emirate to implement similar projects.”

It is important to note that the entire funding for the Qosh Tepa Canal project is sourced from domestic revenue.

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Iran’s FM says water treaty with Afghanistan not being fully implemented

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that the country’s Helmand River water rights treaty with Afghanistan is not being fully implemented.

“We have a treaty with Afghanistan on the issue of the Helmand River that is not being implemented fully,” Araghchi told reporters.

This comes as the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that it is committed to the water treaty with Iran, but Afghanistan itself is struggling with drought.

Experts say that the Iranian side should consider the drought situation in the region and the conditions of the rivers.

“Environmental changes, drought, and water shortages have occurred in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran should take this into account. They should examine this issue with careful assessments. Continuing with such excuses, for whatever political purpose, can disrupt political relations, friendship, and good relations between the two neighboring countries,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, an expert on international affairs.

Araqhchi’s remarks contradict Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul Ali Reza Bekdeli who said earlier this month that the issue of water rights between the two countries had been resolved.

 

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Trump says aid in exchange for return of US military hardware in Afghanistan

Trump went on to say that the US “gives Afghanistan about $2 or $2.5 billion in aid”, adding “we need aid ourselves”.

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US President Donald Trump said Saturday if Afghanistan wants aid from America, the Islamic Emirate must return US military equipment left behind during the 2021 troop withdrawal.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump said the IEA’s military parades of the equipment “makes him angry.

The IEA has said in the past that the equipment was given to the former Afghanistan Defense Force and therefore belongs to the country and not to the US.

Trump went on to say that the US “gives Afghanistan about $2 or $2.5 billion in aid”, adding “we need aid ourselves”.

“If we are going to give them money, it’s okay, but then I want them to give us back the military equipment that they have.”

He also stated “they (IEA) are selling it”, but did not elaborate.

“They have tanks, trucks, guns and goggles. They have night goggles. Better than we have. Brand new. Right out of the box. It’s unbelievable.

“If we are going to pay them, then I want to get that equipment back,” he said.

Trump also stated the equipment is worth “billions and billions of dollars”.

This is not the first time Trump has called for the return of the weapons and equipment abandoned by the US when troops withdrew.

During his election campaign last year, Trump raised the issue.
However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump’s comments, and said it was mere electoral rhetoric.

Mujahid insisted the IEA will not return the equipment and would instead continue to protect it.

The Pentagon meanwhile estimates the value of the equipment, including fighter planes and helicopters, is worth over $7 billion.

 

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Torkham closed amid Afghanistan-Pakistan border tension

The busy border crossing was closed for all trade and travel and Afghans were advised by the Islamic Emirate to avoid using this route. 

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Travel and trade came to a standstill on Saturday at the Torkham crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to rising tension, between the two countries, along the border. 
 
The busy border crossing was closed for all trade and travel and Afghans were advised by the Islamic Emirate to avoid using this route. 
 
Torkham was closed following a verbal clash between border security forces from the two countries on Friday night.
 
The closure comes amid ongoing hostilities between Pakistani and Afghan forces, particularly over the construction of security posts along the border. 
 
“Afghan Taliban (IEA) are constructing a new check post near the border crossing. Pakistani officials told them to stop, but they refused,” a Pakistani official at the border told Anadolu news agency on the condition of anonymity.
 
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fragile since November 2023 after Islamabad launched a crackdown against illegal foreigners, mostly Afghan refugees.
 
Islamabad has also repeatedly accused “Afghanistan-based” militants loyal to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan of carrying out attacks.
 
The IEA has repeatedly denied this and said it will not allow any individual or group to threaten the security of another country from Afghanistan. 
 
However, in December, the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes, the second such cross-border action by Islamabad since March 2024, in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province.
 
The IEA stated a Pakistani military jet killed 46 people, including women and children. Islamabad rejected the claims that civilians were targeted.
 
 
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