Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Urges Principled Operations for Tourism and Pilgrimage Companies
Bakhtar News

Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Urges Principled Operations for Tourism and Pilgrimage Companies

Maulvi Qudratullah Jamal, Deputy for Tourism, Finance and Administration at Afghanistan's Ministry of Information and Culture, mandated licensed operations, renewals, and notifications for tourism and pilgrimage companies, with nationwide inspections and closures for violators. Haji Golab Sultan Zai, head of the companies, pledged compliance with I.E.A. principles.

Bakhtar News|
Pakistani Airstrike Hits Drug Treatment Center in Kabul, Afghan Officials Report Over 400 KilledReliable

Pakistani Airstrike Hits Drug Treatment Center in Kabul, Afghan Officials Report Over 400 Killed

A Pakistani airstrike targeted a drug treatment center in Kabul on March 16, killing over 400 and wounding more than 250 according to Afghan officials, while Pakistan denied hitting civilians. UN agencies confirmed casualties and called for investigations and de-escalation amid escalating tensions.

Security|
Islamic Emirate Reports 400 Killed in Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehabilitation HospitalReliable

Islamic Emirate Reports 400 Killed in Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehabilitation Hospital

Islamic Emirate officials reported at least 400 killed and 250 wounded in a Pakistani airstrike on a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. The attack prompted widespread national and international condemnations calling for de-escalation and respect for civilian protections.

Security|
Two Development Projects Worth Nearly $200,000 Launched in PanjshirReliable

Two Development Projects Worth Nearly $200,000 Launched in Panjshir

The Panjshir Provincial Economy Department announced the start of two projects worth $192,130 by the Dastakom Institute, focusing on mental health services and establishing 124 small commercial centers for job creation in Hesa-ye Aval, Parian, and other areas.

Economy|
Five Development Projects Completed in Samangan ProvinceReliable

Five Development Projects Completed in Samangan Province

Five development projects worth 7.4 million afghanis have been completed in Afghanistan's Samangan province, addressing infrastructure needs in Khurram and Sarbagh districts. The initiatives, including roads, a bridge and drinking water systems, benefit 37,100 residents and created jobs for 600 people, according to a provincial official.

Economy|
Afghanistan Finance Minister Meets Azizi Group RepresentativesReliable

Afghanistan Finance Minister Meets Azizi Group Representatives

Afghanistan's Finance Minister Mullah Mohammad Naser Akhund met with Azizi Group representatives to discuss cooperation, investment guarantees and issue resolution. Technical teams were appointed from both sides, with the minister assuring full support.

Economy|
Work Begins on Laying Out Residential Plots in Rabat Migrants Town, Paktia ProvinceReliable

Work Begins on Laying Out Residential Plots in Rabat Migrants Town, Paktia Province

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing announced the beginning of laying out residential plots in Rabat Migrants Town, Paktia province, under Minister Maulvi Najibullah Hayat Khani's guidance. The 2,000-jerib town is intended for returning migrant families, offering residential areas and basic facilities to support housing and social integration.

Society|
Airstrike Hits Kabul Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, Killing at Least 400, Afghan Officials SayReliable

Airstrike Hits Kabul Drug Rehabilitation Hospital, Killing at Least 400, Afghan Officials Say

A Pakistani airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing at least 400 and wounding 250, mostly addicts, according to Afghan officials, who condemned it as a crime amid Pakistan's denial of targeting the site. The attack came during the 20th day of border clashes, drawing condemnations from India, the UN and Afghan figures.

Security|
Environment Protection Agency Head: Climate Change Situation in Afghanistan ConcerningReliable

Environment Protection Agency Head: Climate Change Situation in Afghanistan Concerning

Afghanistan's National Environment Protection Agency head Mawlawi Muti al-Haq Khalis called the climate change situation in the country concerning at a meeting to draft the third National Determined Contribution document. He highlighted human-induced factors like water overuse and deforestation, urging better coordination and advanced irrigation amid high vulnerability despite low emissions.

Society|
Futsal Trial Competitions Held in Balkh ProvinceReliable

Futsal Trial Competitions Held in Balkh Province

Futsal trial competitions were held in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province, with nearly 200 under-17 athletes from northern and northeastern Afghanistan participating to identify national team talents. Officials and athletes emphasized the event's role in youth development, with plans for future similar programs.

Society|
Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs Distributes Equipment to 150 Martyrs' Families MembersReliable

Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs Distributes Equipment to 150 Martyrs' Families Members

Afghanistan's Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs, with the Afghanistan Strategic and Policy Studies Institute, distributed professional equipment to 150 trainees from martyrs' families after courses in sewing, plumbing and solar systems.

Society|
Maulvi Hanafi: Defending Nation and Islamic Emirate Obligatory if Sovereignty ViolatedReliable

Maulvi Hanafi: Defending Nation and Islamic Emirate Obligatory if Sovereignty Violated

Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Administrative Head of the Prime Minister's Office, stated that defending Afghanistan's nation and Islamic Emirate is obligatory if sovereignty is violated, amid condemnation of recent Pakistani attacks by political analysts. Hanafi expressed regret over civilian casualties and praised national unity in response.

Security|
Afghanistan Gains Membership in World Street Sports Organization KarduReliable

Afghanistan Gains Membership in World Street Sports Organization Kardu

Afghanistan has joined the World Street Sports Organization Kardu for the first time, thanks to efforts by Salman Sultani, who has been named its ambassador in the country. The membership enables Afghan athletes to compete in international street sports events.

Culture|
Hibatullah Akhundzada Issues Eid al-Fitr Message Emphasizing Unity and Non-Interference in Afghan AffairsReliable

Hibatullah Akhundzada Issues Eid al-Fitr Message Emphasizing Unity and Non-Interference in Afghan Affairs

Hibatullah Akhundzada, leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, released an Eid al-Fitr message emphasizing unity, obedience, improved security, non-interference in Afghan affairs, and condemnation of global injustices against Muslims. Critical outlets noted its silence on Pakistan border clashes and women's rights amid ongoing conflicts.

Politics|
Pakistani Shelling in Afghanistan's Khost Province Causes Civilian Casualties, Taliban Officials SayReliable

Pakistani Shelling in Afghanistan's Khost Province Causes Civilian Casualties, Taliban Officials Say

Pakistani artillery and mortar shells hit civilian areas in Afghanistan's Khost province overnight, killing at least one and wounding several including women and children, Taliban officials said, though reports differed on locations and numbers. A separate civilian death was reported in Nuristan province.

Security|
Taliban Release Hundreds of Prisoners from Helmand Prison on Eid al-Fitr, Officials SayReliable

Taliban Release Hundreds of Prisoners from Helmand Prison on Eid al-Fitr, Officials Say

Taliban authorities released 596 prisoners from Helmand's central prison on Eid al-Fitr, corroborated by multiple reports, with additional releases reported in Nangarhar and Kandahar. Sentence reductions were also granted in all three provinces, officials said.

Politics|
Islamic Emirate deputy spokesman reports 4 civilians killed in Pakistani attacks on Afghan border provincesReliable

Islamic Emirate deputy spokesman reports 4 civilians killed in Pakistani attacks on Afghan border provinces

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said Pakistani mortar and artillery attacks on border provinces killed four civilians and wounded nine others over the past 24 hours. The Pakistan Democratic Movement voiced concern over civilian casualties from the strikes and urged an end to clashes.

Security|
Ministry of Information and Culture Holds Celebration of Holy Quran's Descent and Islamic Art Exhibition in KabulReliable

Ministry of Information and Culture Holds Celebration of Holy Quran's Descent and Islamic Art Exhibition in Kabul

The Ministry of Information and Culture in Kabul held a celebration of the Holy Quran's descent and an exhibition of Islamic artistic works, with speeches from officials including Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi and Mufti Mohammad Taher Kohbandi emphasizing its spiritual significance and ties to Ramadan.

Culture|
Iran's Foreign Minister Denies Requesting Ceasefire or Talks with USReliable

Iran's Foreign Minister Denies Requesting Ceasefire or Talks with US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that Tehran has ever sought a ceasefire or negotiations with the US, blaming President Trump for choosing war despite prior talks. Experts cited say the conflict burdens the US and Israel more, prompting advice for withdrawal.

International|
Central Asian Football Union Announces Dates for CAFA 2026 U-17 ChampionshipReliable

Central Asian Football Union Announces Dates for CAFA 2026 U-17 Championship

The Central Asian Football Union has announced the CAFA 2026 U-17 Football Championship will take place from 12 to 25 Hoot 1405 at Dastlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with teams from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan's U-17 squad is preparing in Kabul under coach Ali Ahmad "Yarzadah".

International|
Laghman Electricity Directorate Collects 360 Million Afghanis in Annual RevenueReliable

Laghman Electricity Directorate Collects 360 Million Afghanis in Annual Revenue

The Laghman Electricity Directorate reported collecting about 360 million Afghanis in annual revenue from fees, new connections and transformer installations, while supplying 11 megawatts to 25,000 subscribers amid a 100-megawatt provincial need.

Economy|
173 Development and Infrastructure Projects Implemented in Ghor ProvinceReliable

173 Development and Infrastructure Projects Implemented in Ghor Province

The Ghor Economy Department announced the implementation of 173 development and infrastructure projects in the province this year, with 58 executed by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and 115 by cooperating institutions. Maulvi Mohammad Nabi Khalid Mansour, the department head, said 41 projects were carried over to 2026.

Economy|
Detailed plan for Parcel 2.2 of phase one of New Kabul City approved and signedReliable

Detailed plan for Parcel 2.2 of phase one of New Kabul City approved and signed

Afghanistan's Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has approved the detailed plan for Parcel 2.2 in the first phase of New Kabul City, covering 2,672 jeribs of land developed by Oksin Ariana Construction Company. The plan includes organized infrastructure to support sustainable urban growth amid Kabul's population expansion.

Economy|
Afghan, Turkmen officials discuss land acquisition for TAPI project routeReliable

Afghan, Turkmen officials discuss land acquisition for TAPI project route

Afghan Minister of Agriculture Maulvi Ataullah Omari met TAPI project head Murad Amanov and Turkmen Ambassador Khwaja Avazov to discuss speeding up land acquisition for the pipeline in Afghanistan, assuring fair rates per national laws.

Economy|
Pakistani Airstrikes Kill at Least Four Civilians in Kabul, Afghan Officials SayReliable

Pakistani Airstrikes Kill at Least Four Civilians in Kabul, Afghan Officials Say

Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan provinces including Kabul killed at least four civilians and wounded others, according to Taliban officials and UNAMA, prompting condemnations from former President Karzai and vows of response from the Islamic Emirate. Afghan forces reportedly struck back at Pakistani military targets in Kohat.

Security|
Commercial Goods Transport Between Afghanistan and Iran Continues NormallyReliable

Commercial Goods Transport Between Afghanistan and Iran Continues Normally

Commercial goods transport between Afghanistan and Iran continues normally via the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi port, with over 780 cargo vehicles crossing daily despite regional conflicts. Officials report doubled imports through alternative Iranian routes and warn against price hikes.

Economy|
Distribution of Land Plots Begins in Ghazni's Second Migrants' TownReliable

Distribution of Land Plots Begins in Ghazni's Second Migrants' Town

Molvi Najibullah Hayat Haqqani, Afghanistan's Minister of Urban Development and Housing, launched the distribution of 1,800 land plots in Ghazni's Second Migrants' Town. Plans for two more towns in Nawur and Muqur districts are underway amid the return of about 7,000 families.

Society|
New Building of Grand Mosque Sayed Ja'far Mujarrad Inaugurated in ParwanReliable

New Building of Grand Mosque Sayed Ja'far Mujarrad Inaugurated in Parwan

Officials inaugurated the new building of the Grand Mosque Sayed Ja'far Mujarrad (White Mosque) in Charikar, Parwan, funded by $270,000 from local traders and residents. Parwan Governor Mawlawi Aziz al-Rahman Mansur and other officials praised the project as a religious virtue during the ceremony.

Culture|
Water and Energy Minister visits Machlagho Dam in PaktiaReliable

Water and Energy Minister visits Machlagho Dam in Paktia

Afghanistan's Water and Energy Minister Mullah Mohammad Yunus Akhundzada visited the Machlagho Dam in Paktia province and expressed hope for resuming construction soon. The partially built project is set to irrigate 2,350 hectares and benefit over 20,000 people.

Economy|
Afghanistan-Sri Lanka T20 and ODI series postponedReliable

Afghanistan-Sri Lanka T20 and ODI series postponed

The Afghanistan Cricket Board postponed a series of three T20 and three ODI matches against Sri Lanka, originally set for March in the UAE, due to logistical issues and regional conditions, moving them to late 2026.

International|