🇦🇫 Pajhwok Afghan News
Afghanistan · EN · https://pajhwok.com
About Pajhwok Afghan News
Pajhwok Afghan News was founded in 2003 by Danish Karokhel and is described as wholly owned and operated by Afghans. It claims to have no political affiliations.
Pajhwok Afghan News is Afghanistan's largest independent news agency, founded with a mission to provide balanced, accurate, and reliable news coverage, including investigative reports on political corruption. Its founder, Danish Karokhel, received the 2008 CPJ International Press Freedom Award. However, Afghanistan's media environment is severely restricted under Taliban rule, ranking 175th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Media outlets operate under heavy pressure and widespread self-censorship, with direct criticism of the Taliban prohibited and coverage of sensitive topics tightly restricted. While Pajhwok strives for independence, the authoritarian government and 'not-free' press environment necessitate significant self-censorship and an implicit alignment with the de facto government's narrative to continue operations. The headline sample reflects a mix of factual reporting on international and domestic events, largely
Reading context
Outlets in Afghanistan often work under tighter political or legal limits than in countries ranked as fully free for press. We keep each headline's original tone on purpose, so you can see how stories are usually framed for domestic readers.
Over $20 Million Gold Mine Extraction Contract Signed in Kunduz, Afghanistan
- Afghanistan's Ministry of Mines and Petroleum signed a $20.24 million contract for gold extraction in Kunduz province. - The five-year contract involves Subhan Momand Company and Azerbaijan’s Reef G…
1,000 acres allocated for special economic zone near Hairatan: Azizi
- Afghanistan has allocated 1,000 acres of land near Hairatan port in Balkh province for a special economic zone, aiming to attract Uzbek investment. - The announcement was made during a meeting betwe…
Strickland Defeats Chimaev via Split Decision to Reclaim UFC Middleweight Title
- Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the UFC middleweight title at UFC 328. - Chimaev dominated the early rounds with takedowns, but Strickland recovered and landed …
At least 69 killed in armed attack in DR Congo
- An armed attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in at least 69 fatalities, according to local and security sources. - Details regarding the nature of the attack, the perpetrators, a…
Nangarhar Brick Kiln Union Chief Arrested for Price Violations
- The head of the Nangarhar brick kiln union was arrested in Afghanistan for selling bricks above the officially set price. - The arrest followed an inspection by the Price Control and Anti-Hoarding C…
Qatari PM Meets US Vice President Vance at White House to Discuss Iran Talks
- US Vice President JD Vance met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House. - The leaders discussed bilateral strategic relations and ways to st…
Uzbekistan, Japan Discuss Joint Development Projects in Afghanistan
- Uzbekistan and Japan have discussed joint development projects in Afghanistan, aiming to support the country's social and economic progress. - Uzbek special representative Ismatulla Irgashev met wit…
Trump Pauses 'Freedom Project' in Strait of Hormuz for Peace Talks
- US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on the 'Freedom Project' operation in the Strait of Hormuz. - The pause is intended to allow for the potential finalization of a peace agreement…
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi Visits China for Talks
- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is visiting China today for diplomatic consultations. - The visit is part of ongoing talks with various countries following a ceasefire between Iran and…
Afghan Youth Widely Familiar with AI, Survey Finds; Concerns Over Decision-Making Rise
- A survey reveals that 88% of Afghan youth are familiar with artificial intelligence (AI), with 66.6% being regular users. - AI is increasingly used as an advisory tool, with 84.1% of young responden…
Afghan, Saudi Officials Discuss Hajj Quotas and Bilateral Ties
- Afghan and Saudi officials met in Kabul to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation. - Key topics included increasing Hajj and Umrah quotas for Afghans and enhancing cooperation in relig…
Kazakhstan's Grain Exports to Afghanistan Surge Over Fourfold
- Kazakhstan's grain exports to Afghanistan surged by over fourfold in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 302,000 tonnes. - This significant increase represents a 4.2-fold rise compared to the same p…
Trump Says US to Assist Ships Stranded in Strait of Hormuz
- Donald Trump announced the US will assist commercial vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran. - The initiative, set to begin Monday, aims to guide ships safely th…
2025 Deadliest Year for Journalists Worldwide: Amnesty International
- Amnesty International reported that 2025 is the deadliest year on record for journalists globally, with 129 killed so far. - The report, citing the Committee to Protect Journalists, identified Israe…
UNAMA stresses support for journalists on World Press Freedom Day
- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stressed the importance of supporting journalism and freedom of expression on World Press Freedom Day. - UNAMA highlighted journalism's crucial role …
Afghanistan Returns 25 Tonnes of Substandard Izogam to Exporter
- Afghanistan's Standards and Quality Authority (ASQA) returned over 25 tonnes of substandard izogam to its exporter. - The rejected bitumen membrane failed to meet national quality standards during o…
Heavy rain, flash floods forecast in several provinces
- Afghanistan's Ministry of Water and Energy forecasts heavy rainfall and flash floods from May 3-4 in several northern and central provinces. - The ministry warns of potential flooding in rivers acro…
Afghan Red Crescent, UK Discuss Humanitarian Aid Expansion
- Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) Chief Shahabuddin Delawar met with UK Special Representative Richard Lindsay to discuss humanitarian aid. - Key topics included support for internally displaced pe…
Khalilzad Urges IEA to Respond to UNICEF Report on Girls’ Education
- Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, urged the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to respond to a UNICEF report on girls' education. - The UNICEF repo…
Pezeshkian Calls US Naval Blockade 'Intolerable'
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as an "extension of military operations" and "intolerable." - Pezeshkian stated on X that the blockade is an unju…
MoFA Summons Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires Over Kunar Strikes
- Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan's chargé d'affaires to protest recent strikes in Kunar province. - The ministry condemned the attacks on civilian targets and public facil…
Iran Humiliating US in Talks: German Chancellor
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Iran is humiliating the United States through stalled nuclear talks. - Merz criticized Iran's negotiation tactics, where American officials travel to Pak…
14 Killed, 84 Injured in Indonesia Train Collision
- Two trains collided at a railway station in Bekasi, Indonesia, late on Monday night. - The incident resulted in at least 14 fatalities and 84 injuries. - Rescue operations are ongoing, and an invest…
Afghanistan Launches $160 Million Cement Plant Construction
- Construction of the Yatim Taq cement plant, costing $160 million, has begun in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan. - Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar emphasized strengthening domestic ind…
Mali's Defense Minister Killed in Coordinated Attacks on Military Sites
- Mali's Defense Minister, General Sadio Camara, was killed in coordinated attacks on military sites. - The assaults occurred on Saturday across multiple locations, including the capital, Bamako. - Ar…
14 killed, 37 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon
- Israeli strikes in Lebanon resulted in at least 14 deaths and 37 injuries, including children and women. - Hezbollah stated it would continue attacks on Israeli troops and towns as long as Israel vi…
Afghanistan Stable, Expanding International Ties: Minister
- Afghanistan's Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Mullah Noorullah Noori, stated that the country is stable and expanding its international ties. - Noori warned potential aggressors to learn fro…
Iranian Foreign Minister to Return to Islamabad for Peace Talks
- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is returning to Islamabad after a visit to Oman for continued consultations with Pakistani officials. - The visit aims to convey Iran's positions on end…
IEA Seeks Stronger Global Ties Through Sports Diplomacy: Muttaqi
- Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that the Islamic Emirate seeks to strengthen global ties through sports diplomacy. - Muttaqi emphasized the historic cultural unity b…
ASQA Seizes 26.6 Tonnes of Substandard Batteries at Farahi Port
- Afghanistan's Standards and Quality Authority (ASQA) has rejected a 26.6-tonne shipment of substandard batteries at Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi port. - The consignment was returned to the exporting count…