08:07 PM

TKD ECONOMY: Iran’s Chabahar–Zahedan Railway Nears Completion; Route Seen as Key Trade Link for Afghanistan The Governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Mansour Bijar, has announced that the Chabahar–Zahedan railway project is in its final stages and will be completed by the end of the current year. According to Bijar, the railway will strengthen trade and transit infrastructure in southeastern Iran and serve as a vital route for Afghan traders connecting through the Chahbahar corridor. Speaking on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Interior Ministers’ meeting in Tehran, Bijar said: “Sistan and Baluchestan is Iran’s largest province, sharing long borders with Pakistan and a common frontier with Afghanistan. This border provides Afghanistan with the closest access route to the Chabahar port, which is a key lifeline for Afghan trade.” He emphasized that improving infrastructure is essential for expanding economic exchanges with neighboring countries. The development of the coastal and North–South transport corridors, he noted, would not only facilitate domestic transportation but also enhance regional connectivity. The governor further stated that Sistan and Baluchestan has three official border crossings with Pakistan and one at Milak with Afghanistan. In addition, certain local border trade exchanges are being promoted to support the livelihoods of border communities. Bijar added that the province hosts four active border markets with Afghanistan and two free trade zones—Chabahar and Sistan. Administrative challenges in the free zones have been resolved through management changes, and new companies have begun operations in these areas.

08:06 PM

Afghan Security Officer Killed in Clash With Armed Group Linked to Businessman in Badakhshan, Afghanistan A security officer was killed during an operation against an armed group allegedly led by a local businessman in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, officials confirmed. Ehsanullah Kamgar, spokesperson for the Badakhshan Police Headquarters, said in a statement that authorities in Shahr-e-Buzurg district had received complaints about a group of 10 to 12 armed men associated with a businessman involved in the mining sector. The group was reportedly misusing its weapons and local influence. In response, provincial officials formed a special committee to disarm the group. According to Kamgar, a clash erupted during the operation, resulting in the killing of Taliban security officer Abdul Halim Hamidi. He added that the group’s commander and all members were subsequently arrested, and the situation in the district has since returned to normal with no ongoing unrest.

08:05 PM

TKD ECONOMY: Excavation Work on the Second Phase of Qosh Tepa Canal 95% Complete in Afghanistan The excavation work on the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal has been 95% completed, according to officials. The canal, which has a total length of 285 kilometers, consists of three phases — the first phase covering 108 kilometers and the second phase 177 kilometers. The third phase will focus on the construction of sub-canals for water distribution. Once fully completed, the Qosh Tepa Canal is expected to bring an additional 550,000 hectares of agricultural land under irrigation, significantly boosting Afghanistan’s farming capacity.