Latest News
World Bank funds to fight COVID19 transferred to Afghan government
The World Bank, in a statement released Monday, says that US$20 million was transferred to the government of Afghanistan on April 13, 2020, aimed for the emergency response to the pandemic, including contracting service providers in all 34 provinces to deploy COVID-19 related services.
The statement writes, “This is the first part of a US$100.4 million grant approved by the World Bank on April 2, 2020 for the Afghanistan COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project that became effective on April 12, 2020.”
“Additionally, to expedite availability of resources for the Government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank has made available up to US$40 million as retroactive funding to reimburse the Government for eligible expenditures for health services related to COVID-19 pandemic incurred since January 1, 2020,” the statement says.
It also indicates that these costs can be reimbursed by the World Bank as soon as the government provides the list of eligible services and related expenditures.
According to the statement, the Afghanistan COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project was designed in close coordination with the Government, including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Health.
It further reveals, “The World Bank together with UNICEF, WHO and other Development Partners will continue providing technical assistance and supply of equipment for the successful implementation of the project as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response.”
The statement believes that the rapid deployment of the project by the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant government entities will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The statement concludes underlining the commitment of the World Bank to working closely with the Afghan ministries of public health and finance to safeguard the people of Afghanistan against the pandemic.
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) officially introduced Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a special decree by the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader Amir al-Mu’minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including representatives from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, provincial authorities, national institutions, the former DABS CEO Abdul Bari Omar, and directors and staff of the company.
Speakers highlighted recent progress at DABS, efforts to improve transparency and services, and the company’s move from losses toward profitability. In his remarks, Hamkar emphasized the importance of orderly transfer of responsibilities, obedience to leadership, and expanding electricity services, noting the central role of power supply in daily life and economic development.
Amir Khan Mutaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Tuesday in Kabul with Georgette Gagnon, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting covered the upcoming visit of Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to Kabul, as well as the progress and upcoming meetings of the Doha Process working groups on counter-narcotics and private sector support, and other related issues.
The statement added that Muttaqi said the Islamic Emirate has made satisfactory progress in the Doha Process working groups, but opposing parties have yet to achieve significant results regarding alternative livelihoods and banking issues.
He emphasized that it is necessary for the relevant parties to take effective steps in these areas to enable progress in other sectors as well.
Gagnon referred to DiCarlo’s visit at the end of this month and called for cooperation in this regard.
She also evaluated the outcomes of previous sessions of the two Doha Process working groups positively and noted that further attention would be given to these matters.
The federal government has approved the re-export of all Afghan transit trade consignments stranded at Karachi and Gwadar ports, offering relief to traders affected by prolonged border closures.
According to Pakistani media, traders will be allowed to re-export their Afghan transit shipments through any Pakistani seaport of their choice.
Sources said the commerce minister has formally conveyed the decision to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The measure aims to ease congestion and address disruptions caused by the suspension of trade routes.
Pakistan had earlier closed the Torkham and Chaman crossings for commercial activity due to security concerns, halting transit trade between the two countries from October 12.
Tahawol: Expansion of Afghanistan–India relations discussed
Saar: Possible Iran–US conflict reviewed
DABS names Abdul Haq Hamkar as new CEO
Afghan FM Muttaqi holds talks with UNAMA’s officer-in-change Georgette Gagnon
Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo
Afghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
Pakistani cleric condemns lifetime immunity for Army Chief as un-Islamic
Turkey withdraws from Afghanistan-Pakistan mediation amid rising tensions
Afghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
Sharp drop in exports to Afghanistan drives Pakistan’s trade deficit surge
Tahawol: Expansion of Afghanistan–India relations discussed
Saar: Possible Iran–US conflict reviewed
Tahawol: Donald Trump says Iran wants to talk to US
Saar: KP Chief Minister denies claims of Afghan soil being used against Pakistan
Tahawol: Iran’s ongoing crisis and its consequences discussed
-
Latest News3 days agoICG report says Pakistan most impacted by IEA’s return in Afghanistan
-
Business4 days agoPakistan–Afghanistan bilateral trade plunges 53% in first half of fiscal year
-
Latest News3 days agoHealth Ministry holds meeting on halting medicine imports from Pakistan
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghan Foreign Ministry holds diplomacy training program with Qatar’s cooperation
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan announce under-19 squad for 2026 World Cup
-
International Sports2 days agoATN secures broadcast rights to Carabao Cup semis across Afghanistan
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghanistan’s Ministry of Defense to recruit more forces
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghanistan’s mines ministry sends technical team to Uzbekistan for training