AGP Executive Report

US Immigration Shock: The Trump administration says most green-card applicants must leave the U.S. and apply from their home countries, with USCIS calling it a return to the “original intent” of the law—an abrupt shift that could affect hundreds of thousands and raise fears of family separation. Afghanistan Trade & Industry: Uzbekistan is pushing deeper pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan after talks with Afghanistan’s food and drug authority, including signed export contracts. Water & Local Services: In eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, two government-funded water supply networks were inaugurated to provide clean water to 350 families. Humanitarian Pressure: Nearly 1,000 Afghan refugee families reportedly returned in a single day from Iran and Pakistan, while UN officials warn forced returns expose deportees to grave risks. Regional Security: Pakistan’s security outlook is worsening amid rising militancy and border clashes, adding strain to already fragile cross-border dynamics.

Immigration Shock (US): The Trump administration says most green-card applicants who are currently in the US must leave and apply from their home countries, a major reversal that could disrupt hundreds of thousands of families and jobs while the process drags on. Cyber & Data Crime (Pakistan): Pakistan’s NCCIA says it has arrested a gang accused of selling sensitive personal data of prominent citizens to foreign agencies, with officials warning of zero tolerance for leaks. Afghan Industry Push (Kabul): Afghanistan’s health exhibition in Kabul ended with a clear message: invest in domestic production, improve standards, and use locally made medicines—deal signings followed. Regional Trade (Afghanistan–Uzbekistan): A Kabul business forum between Uzbek and Afghan entrepreneurs produced preliminary agreements worth about $75 million across construction, agriculture, textiles, electrical engineering, furniture, pharma, and cosmetics. Infrastructure Watch (Pakistan): The World Bank flags delays in the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor project, citing procurement re-launches and a request for a 36-month extension. Diplomacy & Cooperation (Azerbaijan): Azerbaijan says cooperation with Afghanistan is expanding, including education and people-to-people links.

Taliban Women’s Rights: UNAMA raised “grave concern” over Afghanistan’s new Taliban decree on separation of spouses, saying it effectively entrenches child marriage—while Kabul rejects the criticism and insists forced marriage is already banned. Humanitarian Pressure: Funding shortfalls are deepening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis as UN voices warn of a major return wave. Security & Data: Pakistan’s NCCIA says it arrested a Punjab gang accused of selling sensitive personal and security-related data to foreign agencies, with officials promising “zero tolerance.” Regional Connectivity: Afghanistan’s Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif rail line added its fifth reconstructed station, with officials again pushing for smoother cross-border travel with Uzbekistan. Women’s Breakthrough: Afghan refugee River Ahmad became the first Afghan woman to summit Everest, using the climb to spotlight women’s rights and resilience under Taliban restrictions. Business & Jobs: Kabul’s labor ministry summoned tourism and pilgrimage firms over alleged illegal work-visa issuance, warning citizens against document and money scams.

Pakistan Diplomacy: With Iran–Israel–US tensions reshaping the region, Pakistan is positioning itself as a rare bridge across rival camps, leaning on its long-running ties with Tehran, Washington, Beijing and Gulf states. Trade Pressure on Afghanistan Links: Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbors jumped 30.18% to $12.718bn in July–April 2025-26, with exports falling—hitting regional flows that include Afghanistan. UNAMA vs Taliban Rules: UNAMA says the Taliban’s “Spouses Separation” regulation institutionalizes discrimination and blocks women and girls’ access to justice, while the Islamic Emirate rejects the criticism. Humanitarian Squeeze: Aid funding shortfalls are deepening Afghanistan’s crisis, with OCHA warning only a small share of the $1.7bn needed for 2026 has arrived. Uzbekistan–Afghanistan Business Push: Uzbekistan and Afghan officials are advancing textile and broader industrial cooperation, including cotton processing and joint factory plans.

Hajj Logistics: Taliban says it has completed the transfer of 30,000 Afghan pilgrims to Saudi Arabia via 97 flights, with medical teams and services arranged after each pilgrim paid about AFN 266,000—though some complain of transport, accommodation and guide shortcomings. Humanitarian Pressure: IOM reports 114,321 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan between April 26 and May 9, with returns from Iran rising sharply as deportations/pushbacks continue. Rights Under Scrutiny: UNAMA warns a new Taliban “Judicial Separation of Spouses” regulation deepens discrimination against women and girls and restricts access to justice. Trade & Connectivity: Taliban reopens the fifth section of the Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif railway (70 km) to boost exports, while Afghan and Uzbek officials push wider light-industry and transit cooperation. Diplomatic Clash: At the UN Security Council, India and Pakistan trade accusations over civilian protection, with India calling Pakistan’s Kabul Omid rehab strike “barbaric.”

Humanitarian & Food Security: FAO says agriculture still supports about 80% of Afghans, as hunger pressure keeps rising. Agribusiness Push: FAO and the World Bank launched matching grants backing five Afghan agribusinesses (seeds, saffron, dairy, soybean processing, food manufacturing), including women-led firms, with investments like soybean oil refining and solar-powered dairy. Local Business & Jobs: The program is framed as a way to expand processing, connect farmers to markets, and create rural work. Economy Under Strain: A Kabul engineering graduate reportedly died after self-immolation, with sources blaming poverty, unemployment, and hardship. Media Freedom Hit: In Bamyan, Taliban intelligence reportedly shut down “Radio Bamyan,” sealing its office after a raid. Trade & Connectivity: Iran’s Saha Airlines began direct weekly flights between Mashhad and Mazar-e-Sharif, aiming to support traders, patients, and families.

US Terror Probe: A U.S. case against an Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader is spotlighting a “risky source” behind “jihad”-style plots on American soil, as officials point to vetting gaps and misuse of immigration pathways. Agribusiness Push: FAO and the World Bank-backed matching grants have picked five Afghan agribusinesses—seed, saffron, dairy and processing—aiming to create jobs and expand women-led production in Herat, Kapisa, Kunduz, Logar and Takhar. Kabul Workplace Fallout: Dismissed Kabul municipality workers accuse the Taliban of bias and fabricated absenteeism charges, adding to a wider civil-service purge narrative. Humanitarian Alarm: BBC reporting and UN warnings converge on families in Ghor selling young daughters to survive hunger and medical debt. Housing Investment: The Taliban announced a $150m Balkh residential complex in Mazar-i-Sharif, promising thousands of jobs. Trade Talks: An Uzbek delegation arrived in Kabul to push textile and factory visits, betting on Central Asian corridors as Pakistan routes stay tense.

Afghanistan Hunger Crisis: The WFP says severe food insecurity is hitting 13.8 million people, with nearly 5 million children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers suffering malnutrition as a budget shortfall forces cuts. Returnee Pressure: The UN has pledged $529 million to support about 2.7 million Afghans expected to return from Iran and Pakistan in 2026, warning many are coming back without shelter or basic services. Local Business Squeeze: In Balkh, business owners complain Taliban tax collection is turning into a twice-a-year extortion cycle, with arbitrary demands and no proper accounting. Energy Push: Afghanistan’s national power company says it has contracts for 17 electricity projects totaling 1,820 MW, aiming to boost domestic generation. Industry Jobs: Construction has started on a $200m iron smelting factory in Logar, expected to create thousands of jobs over the next four years. Regional Context: Pakistan’s defense minister reportedly regretted Islamabad’s past interference in Afghanistan, while talks on improving Kabul-Islamabad relations continue.

UN Humanitarian Push: The UN and partners unveiled a $529 million plan to support 2.7 million Afghans expected to return from Iran and Pakistan this year, warning the surge is straining Afghanistan’s economy and public services. Forced Returns Pressure: IOM says returns from Pakistan stayed high in early 2026, driven largely by fear of arrest and debt. Trade & Connectivity: Uzbekistan and Afghanistan agreed to expand trade ties, while the Eurasian Development Bank floated a regional transport framework aimed at boosting cross-route freight flows. Domestic Industry Spotlight: Taliban officials say Afghanistan’s pharma production is rising, with a new Abu Ali Sina Balkhi exhibition highlighting local output. Health Crisis: In Kandahar, MSF reports rising TB cases among malnourished children, tied to aid cuts and limited access to care. Poverty Fallout: BBC reporting from Ghor describes families selling children to survive as hunger deepens. Governance Friction: Kabul taxi drivers complain about Taliban repainting costs and refusal to accept cheaper open-market work.

Taliban-era rights and aid pressure: AAN reports women’s healthcare is collapsing as clinics close, female staff shortages grow, girls’ education is blocked, and foreign aid declines—leaving even transport costs out of reach. Everyday governance and services: In Balkh, three water supply networks were completed with Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund support, delivering safe drinking water to about 2,100 families. Security and fear: Kabul residents describe Taliban harassment at checkpoints, including alleged humiliation over language and beards and claims of drug planting and extortion. Regional diplomacy: Qatar’s ambassador to Kabul says Doha is working to reduce Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions through dialogue, while Iran’s president thanked Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan for preventing misuse of their territory against Iran. Economy and connectivity: Afghanistan and Russia say they share interests and want to expand trade and transit, as ADB is reportedly likely to approve about $1.2bn for Pakistan’s ML-1 rehabilitation—highlighting how Afghanistan financing suspensions since 2021 still disrupt regional routes.

Humanitarian Funding: Denmark pledged $5.49m to the UN’s Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund to keep frontline aid moving as needs surge and international support drops. Youth & Jobs: Kabul youth say unemployment is rising and hiring is increasingly tied to Taliban connections, pushing many toward migration or low-paid work. Security & Extraction: In Badakhshan’s Darwaz, Taliban “permit trade” is tightening control over Darwaz gold mines, with reports of extortion and workshop shutdowns. Education Support: UNICEF says it’s supplying school materials to help children keep learning, as the secondary education ban for girls enters its fifth year. Property Rules: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice banned buying and selling state-owned land plots distributed by the Islamic Emirate, warning property offices of closures and prosecutions. Food Prices: WFP reports some easing in key staples like wheat flour, cooking oil and vegetables, but warns broader economic pressure remains. Business & Trade: Uzbekistan and Afghanistan discussed cotton farming and a business delegation arrived to expand trade, while a $2m rice processing factory project began in Baghlan.

US-Iran Brinkmanship: Trump again warned Iran to “move fast” or face dire consequences as talks stall over uranium, sanctions relief, and war compensation—while Tehran counters with its own demands, keeping the region’s uncertainty high. Afghanistan Connectivity Push: Afghanistan’s Public Works Ministry says new transport corridors could turn the country into a key trade and transit hub linking Central Asia to South Asia, with rail and port routes already in play. Telecom Expansion vs Cost Pain: Afghanistan’s telecom ministry says SIM registration is nearing completion (30 million registered), but Balkh residents complain prices are rising while service quality and package value shrink. Taliban Family Law Backlash: New Taliban rules reportedly treat a “virgin girl’s” silence as marriage consent and tighten father/grandfather control over child marriage—sparking renewed human-rights criticism. Public Health in the Region: A week-long anti-polio campaign begins in Pakistan’s 79 districts, targeting nearly 19 million children, with Afghanistan still listed as endemic. Road Safety: Two separate traffic crashes in Maidan Wardak and Balkh killed seven and injured three, underscoring ongoing highway risks.

Taliban Family Law: Afghanistan’s Taliban has issued new family law rules that critics say legitimize child marriage and weaken girls’ consent—reportedly including a clause where a “virgin girl’s” silence after puberty can be treated as acceptance, with fathers and grandfathers gaining major authority and court approval required for annulment. Women’s Economic Life: In Herat, a women-only “Eid Bazaar” opened with nearly 200 booths, giving entrepreneurs a rare sales push ahead of Eid. Property Rights & Development: In Kabul’s Pul-e Khushk, residents accuse Taliban authorities of demolishing homes and shops for a road project without compensation or notice, warning families were pressured to leave. Security & Crime: Helmand reported three armed robbers killed in a clash after a currency exchange robbery; Kabul also saw multiple killings over two days, including a beheading. Jobs & Industry: Baghlan began construction of a nearly $2m rice processing factory. Returns & Hunger Pressure: Taliban said 1,017 families were returned yesterday, while WFP warned it needs $350m as malnutrition cases surge.

Humanitarian Funding Crunch: WFP says it urgently needs $350 million to keep Afghanistan’s food and nutrition support running, warning that severe funding gaps plus mass returns are driving a near-record surge in malnutrition—nearly 5 million mothers and children need urgent treatment, with clinics reportedly turning people away for lack of supplements. Return Pressure: WFP also reports about 500,000 people have returned to Afghanistan since the start of 2026, with families arriving at borders like Torkham with little more than hope and no clear next meal. Women’s Rights Under Strain: A new report highlights how Taliban morality enforcement and detention practices are worsening daily life for women and girls, while separate coverage points to rising gender-based violence, including multiple femicide cases. Regional Diplomacy: Afghanistan-Russia talks in Kazan wrapped up with officials saying cooperation on mining, energy, transport, and trade is a priority. Business & Trade Signals: Herat launched a 10-day Eid exhibition for women entrepreneurs, while Pakistan’s business chamber plans a US delegation in August to deepen trade links.

Border Shock: Militants hit Pakistan’s Bajaur border outpost with an explosive vehicle and gunfire, killing at least 8 troops and injuring 35, with the TTP claiming responsibility—fresh violence that Pakistan says is tied to militant sanctuaries across the Afghan border. Forced Returns: The Taliban says 1,066 families (5,656 people) were forcibly returned to Afghanistan via Torkham, Spin Boldak, Nimroz and Islam Qala, as WFP warns the deportations are deepening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. Trade & Transit: Afghan and Iranian officials met at the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi crossing to ease movement of traders and cargo and remove transport bottlenecks. Regional Economics: Kabul and Moscow discussed expanding direct trade links and cooperation on commissions and education ties. Market Watch (Kabul): Gold, sugar and Indian rice prices fell, while petrol and diesel edged up. Press Freedom: A UK envoy urged due process after Taliban detention of journalists, following UNAMA concerns about raids and unclear charges.

Humanitarian Pressure: WFP warns Afghanistan is seeing its worst malnutrition surge on record, with about five million women and children needing urgent treatment as specialized therapeutic food runs short. Trade & Industry: India’s sugar export ban is already rattling prices and factory finances, and Afghanistan is among the listed destinations that could feel the shock. Regional Deals: Russia and Uzbekistan are continuing technical and economic studies for the Trans-Afghan railway corridor, while China and Qatar hold talks with the Islamic Emirate on Afghanistan’s next steps. Diplomacy Watch: A Notre Dame study argues UNAMA’s mission is too broad and should be refocused on politics and mediation, with more humanitarian work shifted to UN-linked agencies. Security Spillover: A militant attack on a Pakistan security compound killed nine, underscoring how instability across the border can derail Afghanistan’s economic and aid plans. Business on the Ground: Zabul’s Shahjoy district has started a 250 million-afghani commercial complex project, aiming to mix shops, processing centers, and agriculture.