The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), in its 12th annual Global Terrorism Index 2025 report, stated that Afghanistan has not ranked among the top five countries most impacted by terrorism for the second consecutive year, instead placing ninth.

The report noted: “Afghanistan has dropped out of the top five most terrorism-affected nations for the second year in a row, marking its highest improvement since the index’s inception.”

According to the rankings, Burkina Faso and Pakistan occupied the first and second positions in 2024. 

The report highlighted that terrorism levels in Afghanistan have “significantly declined” since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover, with the new rulers maintaining “internal stability.”

Meanwhile, IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reaffirmed “full security guarantees” for citizens and stressed that Afghan soil “poses no threat to any country.” 

“The security we currently have is a major achievement for Afghans. However, minor cases still occur, which affect all nations—such issues exist in every country,” Mujahid said.

The report identified ISKP as the deadliest group in Afghanistan, responsible for one-fifth of all attacks in 2024. It also noted deteriorating relations between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan due to tensions over the Durand Line and Pakistani airstrikes targeting Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in Afghanistan. 

The press office of Herat’s governor announced in a statement on Friday that officials from the contracting company of the Khaf-Herat railway project have confirmed the first phase of the fourth section of the railway will be completed within the next six months. 

The contracting company’s representatives discussed the progress with Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Governor of Herat. During the meeting, the governor expressed appreciation for the company’s efforts to complete the first phase of the fourth section and assured them of the local administration’s full cooperation in providing necessary facilities to expedite the project’s implementation,” the statement read.

The Khaf-Herat railway is one of Afghanistan’s major infrastructure projects, aimed at facilitating transportation and strengthening trade relations between Afghanistan and regional countries.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Thursday warned of the “severe” humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

“More than half of the population, that’s 23 million human beings, are in need of humanitarian assistance in the country.

“This number is one of the highest globally, second only to Sudan, where 30 million people currently require aid and require protection,” Dujarric told reporters.

Food insecurity and malnutrition remain “stubbornly high” in Afghanistan during the first quarter of 2025, he said, adding nearly 15 million people, one in every three Afghans, will experience high levels of acute food insecurity.

“Nearly 3.5 million children under the age of 5, and more than 1 million pregnant and breast-feeding women are expected to become acutely malnourished,” Dujarric said.