The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Kabul’s groundwater could be depleted if no action is taken.

UNICEF stated on Tuesday, October 29, on the social media platform X that Kabul’s groundwater might run out by 2030 due to rapid urbanization and climate change.

UNICEF has not proposed a specific solution to prevent this crisis but mentioned that Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, and Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, visited water-scarce areas in Kabul.

The purpose of these UN officials’ visits to the water-crisis-affected regions was reported to be finding an effective solution to the ongoing crisis.

“Water is life. Due to rapid urbanization and climate change, there could be no ground water in Kabul by 2030, if we do not act now. We can stop this,” UNICEF said.

Our Rep @TajudeenOyewale and SRSG @otunbayeva went to meet affected communities & find out how to help meet this basic human need,” the organization added.

The organization emphasized that if “we take action,” this crisis can be prevented.

The worsening water crisis in Kabul is further intensified by climate change, leading to prolonged droughts and shrinking water sources. Rapid urbanization without sustainable planning has also strained the city’s limited water resources.

Mismanagement of water resources in Kabul has exacerbated the situation, with poor infrastructure and lack of proper regulation contributing to the depletion of groundwater. Addressing these issues requires immediate and collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable water management and protect the city from a severe water crisis.

Ahmad Reza Radan, the General Commander of Iran’s security forces, announced that 850,000 undocumented Afghan migrants have been deported from the country.

On Tuesday, October 29, Tasnim News Agency reported, quoting the Iranian official, that foreign nationals without proper documentation are not allowed to work or reside in Iran.

This comes amid increasing pressure and restrictions by the Islamic Republic against Afghan migrants, with authorities frequently emphasizing the deportation of undocumented migrants from the country.

Just yesterday, Nasser Farshid, the Police Commander of Kerman, stated that more than 38,000 undocumented migrants have been deported from the province this year alone.

He urged employers to refrain from providing work to undocumented migrants.

Previously, Iranian officials warned that by the end of this solar year, a total of two million undocumented migrants would be deported from the country.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the 2024 election, criticized what he described as the mishandling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating that the Bagram Air Base should not have been abandoned.

In his latest interview, Trump called the U.S. exit from Afghanistan “horrible” and “a major mistake.”

According to Trump, American troops should have been the last to leave Afghanistan, not among the first as part of the plan.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has frequently raised the issue of the Afghanistan withdrawal, using it as a point of attack against the Democrats’ campaign, led by Kamala Harris.

In his recent interview, Trump highlighted the strategic significance of Bagram Air Base, mentioning its proximity to locations in China where nuclear weapons are reportedly being produced.

He emphasized that the United States should never have left this base.

Trump’s criticisms of the Afghanistan withdrawal are part of a broader strategy to question the current administration’s decisions on national security.

By focusing on the strategic importance of Bagram, Trump aims to frame the withdrawal as a misstep with long-term consequences.

With the 2024 election approaching, the handling of Afghanistan’s exit continues to be a key talking point in U.S. politics, reflecting the ongoing debates over military strategy, foreign policy, and national security.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emphasized the importance of Afghanistan in ensuring security, peace, and stability in the region, stating that a terrorism-free Afghanistan would benefit all parties involved.

He also called for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, one that, according to him, should include the participation of all political representatives of the people.

The Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization further clarified that, “We wish for Afghanistan to become a country free from terrorism, war, and drugs.”

Regarding the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, Mr. Ming expressed hope that, in the future, a government would be established in Afghanistan with broad participation from all political, ethnic, and religious groups.

As regional stakeholders continue to engage with Afghanistan, the international community’s hope remains that an inclusive political framework and a focus on eradicating terrorism and drug-related issues will pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.

This approach aims to foster a more secure and prosperous future for Afghanistan and its neighbors.

Ehsan Haidari, Director-General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Tehran’s provincial government, announced the commencement of the eighth campaign to regulate and deport Afghan migrants.

He stated that the deportation of undocumented migrants in Tehran during the first half of this year has increased 4.5 times compared to the same period last year.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Friday, October 25, that the latest phase of the operation to regulate and deport undocumented migrants was carried out in Quds village.

Haidari emphasized that during this operation, a number of migrants were identified and handed over to camps for deportation.

Meanwhile, Vahid Gholi Kani, the governor of Quds, commented, “The illegal presence of foreign nationals creates challenges in our policymaking.”

According to IRNA, Iranian officials have once again warned employers not to hire undocumented migrants.

The ongoing deportations are part of Iran’s broader plan to expel nearly two million migrants by the end of this year.

Reports indicate that hundreds of Afghans are being deported daily, and even some with valid visas and residence documents are being detained and expelled by Iranian police.

The forced deportations are worsening the plight of Afghan refugees, many of whom face a dire humanitarian crisis and the harsh winter ahead in Afghanistan.

With limited resources and a lack of support, the situation is increasingly dire for those being forced back to a country struggling with conflict, poverty, and political instability.

The Chinese ambassador in Kabul announced that China will grant the Taliban duty-free access to its markets, particularly in construction and energy sectors.

Zhao Xing stated on X that China would provide zero tariffs to Afghanistan, replacing the current 100 percent tariff lines. This move marks an effort by China to strengthen its ties with the Taliban since they took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Despite seeking to develop relations, China, like other nations, has refrained from officially recognizing the Taliban government. However, Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources present an appealing opportunity for Chinese companies, making the partnership mutually beneficial. The Taliban is eager to attract foreign investors to help diversify Afghanistan’s economy and utilize its mineral wealth.

In recent developments, the sale of Afghanistan’s lithium, copper, and iron reserves to global markets will aid the Taliban in bolstering its fragile economy. Ambassador Zhao highlighted his discussions with Taliban officials, emphasizing the potential for significant economic collaboration.

According to Chinese customs data, Afghanistan exported $64 million worth of goods to China last year, with nearly 90% consisting of pine nuts. Despite this limited trade, the Taliban has expressed a strong interest in diversifying its exports and attracting foreign investment.

Since his appointment in September, Ambassador Zhao has actively engaged with Taliban officials responsible for mining, oil, trade, and regional communications. Several Chinese companies, including China Metallurgical Group, are already exploring mining opportunities in Afghanistan, further deepening economic ties.

The Taliban’s embassy in China has yet to comment on the ambassador’s statements. However, they have expressed a desire to officially join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, hoping to become a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a $62 billion project aimed at connecting China’s resource-rich Xinjiang region to Pakistan’s Gwadar port.

The evolving relationship between China and the Taliban signifies potential economic opportunities for Afghanistan, particularly in the mineral sector. As China seeks to expand its influence in the region, the Taliban’s desire for foreign investment could pave the way for increased economic engagement, despite the challenges of international recognition.

Ultimately, the success of this partnership will depend on the Taliban’s ability to provide a stable and secure environment for foreign investors, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics in South Asia.