Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) has officially launched telecom and internet services in the Manogai district of Kunar province. With the activation of this new site, AWCC officials stated that residents’ connectivity issues would be addressed.
“The site now offers 2G and 3G services, bringing joy to hundreds of families who were previously deprived of internet access,” said Ataullah Sahil, head of AWCC for the eastern zone. In addition to the new site, AWCC has established a customer service center in the region to assist locals with their concerns.
Abrarullah Zuhair, head of sales at AWCC, mentioned, “The services we provide in Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, have now been activated in Ninglam market.” He added that residents in Pech Dara, Chapa Dara, and Want Waigal can obtain SIM cards from this branch and resolve other issues.
Officials from the provincial telecommunications and information technology department commended AWCC’s services, noting that many families will benefit from the newly activated telecom and internet services. “Approximately 15,000 families will now have access to 3G services,” said Abdul Wali Marshal, Kunar’s director of telecommunications and information technology. “Voice call services are also available, which will address many previous challenges in the area.”
Residents of Manogai district expressed their satisfaction with the activation of AWCC’s site, requesting that telecommunication services be expanded to remote parts of the district. “We had significant internet issues here,” said Abdul Shakoor, a local resident. “The situation in Ninglam was also challenging. We thank AWCC for establishing this tower.”
Over the past three years, AWCC has launched telecommunication services in various areas across the eastern provinces.
In related news, two people died, and 107 were injured in a fire in Kabul’s Paghman district on Saturday night, confirmed by Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). The agency reported that 81 of those injured sustained only minor injuries. The fire broke out in the Qala-e-Haidar Khan area, causing over $1.2 million in damages and affecting local businesses.
Mullah Noor Ud din Turabi, head of ANDMA, visited the site and extended condolences to those affected. He stated that investigation teams are on-site to determine the cause of the fire and take necessary actions. The fire erupted around 6 PM at a gas company, resulting in significant explosions.
Meanwhile, Iran has increased its deportation of undocumented Afghan migrants, reportedly sending back up to 3,000 individuals each day. Hossein Sharafati, Iran’s Director General of Foreign Nationals and Migrants of Khorasan Razavi, confirmed that more than 3,000 Afghans are detained daily and deported through the Dogharun border.
This uptick in deportations follows Iran’s stricter stance on undocumented Afghan migrants since the appointment of President Masoud Pezeshkian. In September, Iranian authorities announced plans to deport two million undocumented foreigners over the next six months, primarily targeting Afghan migrants.
The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR estimates that nearly 4.5 million Afghan nationals currently reside in Iran, though Iranian news reports suggest the actual number could be as high as 6 to 8 million.
Additionally, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs announced plans to construct 355 water reservoirs across Afghanistan. Many of these dams are already completed or under construction. The reservoirs aim to manage rainwater, prevent flooding, bolster groundwater levels, and serve local communities.
Of the 355 reservoirs, 138 are being constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 117 by the Ministry of Water and Energy, and 100 by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, all funded by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.