The Ministry of Water and Energy of Afghanistan has announced that a Chinese company is ready to invest in large-scale hydroelectric dams (Shal, Sagi, and Sartaq) in Kunar province.

On Sunday, July 28th, the Ministry released a statement about the meeting between Abdul Latif Mansoor, the acting Minister of Water and Energy, and representatives of a Chinese company in Kabul.

The statement quotes the Chinese company officials expressing their interest in investing in these projects. They have indicated their eagerness to sign a cooperation agreement with the Ministry as soon as possible and to start the work in practice.

The acting Minister of Water and Energy welcomed the Chinese investment in this sector, emphasizing that “the capacity to generate electricity from the Kunar River is sufficient. If all these dams are constructed in the future, Afghanistan could even export electricity to neighboring countries.”

Details about the Chinese company and the construction costs of the dams have not yet been provided.

In recent years, China has invested in numerous developmental projects in Afghanistan, particularly in mining, hydroelectric dam construction, and other development initiatives.

This continued investment underscores China’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s infrastructure development and economic growth.

The investment by the Chinese company in the hydroelectric projects in Kunar represents a significant step toward enhancing Afghanistan’s energy infrastructure. These dams are expected to bolster the region’s power supply, potentially enabling Afghanistan to export electricity to neighboring countries in the future.

Female professors at Afghanistan universities have declared that the reduction of their salaries to 5,000 Afghanis is “humiliating.”

These professors assert that while students need to benefit from their expertise and experience, the Taliban has decided to confine female staff to their homes.

A group of female professors from Afghanistan universities, who are members of the academic staff at the Ministry of Higher Education, state: “We studied for at least twenty years, conducted research, and engaged in scientific research, but for the past two years, we have been sitting at home, struggling with the worst mental and emotional conditions.”

These university professors add that in a society where customs replace reason, human needs, and even religion, no more can be expected.

These female experts say: “We waited hoping that the Taliban would recognize that the children of Afghanistan need us and end the humiliation and insults at the university gates. However, not only has nothing changed, but the salaries of academic staff have been aligned with those of the laborers.”

On June 5, the Taliban administration announced that Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, has set the salaries of all female employees in government offices at 5,000 Afghanis.

The Taliban’s salary reduction for female government employees initially caused confusion and delays, including for teachers. Protests by female employees from hospitals and schools led the Taliban to clarify that only the salaries of those confined at home would be cut.

Among these employees are female professors at Afghanistan universities, who, according to the Taliban’s decision, are not allowed to teach male students at universities. The Taliban has banned higher education and advanced learning for girls beyond the sixth grade.

Female university professors in Afghanistan have described the 5,000 Afghani salary allocation for female academic staff as an act of oppression and injustice by the Taliban, expressing uncertainty about how long the humiliation and disrespect towards female university professors will continue.

The ongoing situation highlights a severe disregard for the contributions and rights of female academic professionals in Afghanistan. The reduction of salaries, coupled with restrictions on their professional activities, underscores a broader pattern of systemic discrimination and suppression.

As these female professors continue to face these adversities, there is a pressing need for international attention and intervention to address these injustices and advocate for the rights of women in Afghanistan’s education sector.

Human Rights Watch has reported that women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of their rights to education, work, and sports. In a statement made on Friday, July 26th, the organization called on the Taliban regime to end the “abuse” of women’s rights.

The Paris 2024 Olympics were inaugurated on Friday with a grand ceremony in France, where a significant portion of the opening events was led by women. The Olympics are one of the largest sporting events in the world, providing athletes from across the globe with the opportunity to showcase their skills and achievements.

In stark contrast to this global celebration, women and girls in Afghanistan are not only barred from working and studying but are also prohibited from participating in sports.

This situation highlights a severe discrepancy between the opportunities available to athletes worldwide and the restrictions faced by Afghan women.

Despite these severe restrictions, several Afghan female athletes are competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their participation underscores their resilience and determination to overcome the barriers imposed on them, even as they represent a nation where their rights are heavily restricted.

The contrast between the Paris 2024 Olympics and Afghanistan’s gender restrictions highlights a global disparity. While female athletes shine on the world stage, advocacy for women’s rights in Afghanistan must continue for true equality and opportunity.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on Friday.

During the call, they discussed matters related to the cooperation between Pakistan and UNHCR.

The conversation also covered the recent attacks and violent demonstrations by the Afghan diaspora against Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Frankfurt, London, and Brussels.

The High Commissioner commended Pakistan’s traditional hospitality towards Afghan refugees and the recent decision to extend the validity of Proof of Registration (POR) cards.

Both Ishaq Dar and the High Commissioner agreed to continue their collaboration to advance Pakistan-UNHCR cooperation and work towards a lasting solution for Afghan refugees.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan recently announced that Pakistan has extended the validity of POR cards for Afghan refugees for another year.

On Thursday, July 25, the Afghan Commissioner for Refugees in Islamabad confirmed that the new validity of the POR cards is from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Despite the extension, Afghan refugees are increasingly concerned about the potential for forced deportation, as the Pakistani government has been deporting over two thousand individuals daily.

The extension of POR cards provides temporary relief to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, but ongoing tensions and the risk of deportation continue to create uncertainty. Both Pakistan and UNHCR are committed to addressing these challenges and seeking sustainable solutions.

The situation underscores the need for international cooperation and support to ensure the safety and rights of Afghan refugees, who remain in a precarious position amid broader humanitarian concerns.