VOA Afghan Service

Kabul’s Chinatown: A marketplace for Chinese products

Kabul Chinatown is filled with Chinese-made products but very few Chinese faces. VOA’s Afghan service has more on what can be found in Kabul’s Chinatown. The story is narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. Contributors: Roshan Noorzai, Noshaba Ashna

Regional Governments Seen Struggling to Control IS-Khorasan

Experts say last week’s Moscow attack shows the terror group’s ability to reach beyond South-Central Asia

Taliban Arrest Poet, Magazine Editor, Family Members Say

The move is seen as part of current crackdown on freedom of expression, independent media

In Afghanistan, Provincial Radio Stations Face Economic Woes

In Afghanistan’s northern Faryab province, radio stations are trying to keep broadcasting amid a dire economic situation. From Maymana, Afghanistan, VOA’s Afghan Service has the story.

Afghans Returning from Pakistan Need Shelter, Jobs

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans deported from Pakistan are living in makeshift camps near the border. These families say that they need shelter and jobs as the winter is approaching. VOA Afghan Service has the story, narrated by Elizabeth Cherneff.

Herat Earthquake Patients Treated for Injuries, Trauma

Health officials and aid agencies in Afghanistan’s western province of Herat have set up medical tents to treat earthquake victims. The U.N. says recent earthquakes in the province killed more than 1,300 people and injured over 2,000 people. VOA Afghanistan has the story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard.

Taliban Deny Claims They Are Trying to Join Hamas on the Battlefield

A fake social media post forced the Islamist group to deny it wants to deploy its forces to fight in the war

Appointment of Ambassador Signals China's Ambition in Afghanistan, Experts Say

Zhao Xing is the first ambassador from any country to be appointed to Afghanistan since the Taliban took over in 2021

An Afghan Woman Seamstress Inspires Employment Amid Challenges

In Afghanistan's western province of Herat, a woman has established a successful sewing workshop, employing eight other female workers. VOA Afghan Service brings us her story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard.

Young Afghans Flee Abroad for Better Future

Hundreds make the perilous journey to Iran, hoping to reach Europe

From Journalist to Taxi Driver, Reporter’s Life Changes Under Taliban Rule

With the Taliban maintaining their hold on power and media jobs becoming more scarce, some reporters in Afghanistan are turning to other work, such as taxi driving, to support their families. For VOA’s Afghan service, Bezhan Hamdard has the story.

Taliban Release 2 Afghan Activists Amid Growing Concern Over 'Arbitrary Arrests'

The two were released after being detained separately for more two months by the Taliban

Those Undermining Taliban 'Deserve Death,' Says Taliban Minister

'No Information on Whereabouts' of Afghan Ex-Official Detained by Taliban, Says Family Member

The Taliban's representative did not respond to VOA's request for comment about the alleged disappearance

Rights Groups Decry Taliban Shuttering of Human Rights Commission 

Taliban authorities call dissolution of AIHRC, along with several other government departments, a budgetary necessity 

Taliban Plan Meeting of Clerics to Decide on Girls’ Secondary Education

Pressure mounts to allow school attendance beyond sixth grade

Afghan Drug Addicts Accuse Taliban of Brutal Mistreatment

Drug addicts in Afghanistan say they are being brutalized and treated as criminals by the ruling Taliban, an accusation government security officials deny. Latif Yaqobi in Afghanistan filed this report, narrated by Anne Ball. Camera - Latif Yaqobi. Video editor - Anne Ball. Ibrahim Momand and Rahim Gul Sarwan contributed.

Media Watchdogs, UN Call on Taliban to Stop Arbitrary Detention of Journalists in Afghanistan

The U.N. calls on the Taliban to release a provincial representative of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee who was arrested on Wednesday

Addiction Crisis Rips Apart Afghan Families

Among all the challenges facing Afghanistan, the most enduring is its position as the world’s leading producer of opium. VOA’s Afghan Service traveled from the mountains to the cities, documenting the depth of the situation.

Afghan Security Plans Under Review With No BSA

President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign the BSA even though it has popular support and was approved by a traditional grand council or Loya Jirga