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This study aims to investigate the integration of information systems and the associated security challenges within Afghanistan's current market, emphasizing the complex relationship between technological innovation, governance stability, and institutional readiness. Using the Delphi method, the study engaged experts from academia, government, and the private sector to identify key barriers and enablers shaping Afghanistan's digital transformation. Findings reveal that the country's progress in adopting information systems is hindered by fragmented policies, weak cybersecurity awareness, infrastructure limitations, and dependency on donor-funded projects. Despite growing recognition of the importance of digitalization, Afghanistan's institutional fragility continues to impede coordinated implementation and sustainable innovation. Comparative insights with other emerging markets highlight that long-term investment in digital literacy, regulatory coherence, and private sector engagement are critical to overcoming these barriers. The study highlights the importance of adopting a hybrid developmental model that harmonizes local institutional realities with internationally recognized technological standards, fostering adaptability and resilience within Afghanistan's volatile environment. It advances existing understanding by demonstrating how governance reform, human capital enhancement, and cybersecurity integration function as mutually reinforcing components of the nation's digital transformation. Sustainable progress depends on establishing a unified national vision that bridges technology, education, and governance, thereby reinforcing market integrity and institutional stability amid persistent security and economic uncertainty.

This paper examines the anatomy of extremism in Pakistan by analyzing its ideological, socio-economic, and geopolitical dimensions, as well as assessing the efficacy of the state’s counter-extremism responses. Extremism in Pakistan has evolved from sectarian and jihadist origins into a multidimensional threat fueled by ideological radicalization, socio-economic disparity, digital propaganda, and regional instability following the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan. Despite significant tactical successes through military operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, the state’s strategy remains constrained by weak policy coordination, limited ideological reform, and insufficient civilian engagement. The paper argues that Pakistan’s counter-extremism framework must move beyond reactive security measures toward proactive socio-political transformation. It proposes a reimagined strategic approach centered on five pillars: (1) reframing the National Action Plan (NAP 2.0) with stronger institutional coordination, (2) comprehensive education and madrassa reforms, (3) youth engagement and socio-economic reintegration, (4) digital resilience to counter online radicalization, and (5) regional cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the SCO. The study concludes that enduring resilience against extremism requires a whole-of-nation approach that integrates ideological pluralism, governance reform, and regional diplomacy to transform Pakistan’s counter-extremism policy from containment to long-term stability and inclusive national identity.

Higher education in Afghanistan faces chronic challenges stemming from decades of conflict, political instability, and underinvestment. Universities operate with limited infrastructure, outdated curricula, and overcrowded classrooms, leaving students underprepared for the demands of a competitive global labor market. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the fragility of the sector, as efforts to shift toward online learning were hindered by poor connectivity, unreliable electricity, and insufficient institutional readiness. This study investigates the potential of e-learning combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to address these systemic limitations and to provide a sustainable pathway for educational reform in fragile contexts. Adopting a qualitative design, the study draws on documentation analysis, field observations, and semi-structured interviews with lecturers, administrators, and students in Afghan universities. The data were analyzed thematically, focusing on infrastructure barriers, institutional capacity, and perceptions of AI-enhanced e-learning. Findings highlight that while conventional e-learning platforms expanded access during emergencies, they often lacked adaptability, personalization, and effectiveness in sustaining engagement. Participants demonstrated limited technical literacy regarding AI but expressed strong interest in its potential to improve teaching efficiency, student support, and inclusiveness. The absence of coherent policy frameworks and persistent gender and geographic inequalities emerged as critical challenges to equitable implementation. This study contributes to the state-of-the-art by extending discussions of AI in education into a fragile-state context, where assumptions of stable infrastructure and governance do not apply. It also problematizes the universality of technology adoption theories, suggesting the need for adaptations that incorporate structural and socio-cultural variables. AI-enabled e-learning can partially mitigate Afghanistan's educational infrastructure deficits when implemented alongside capacity building, inclusive design, and supportive governance frameworks. These findings hold relevance not only for Afghanistan but also for other fragile states seeking innovative, equitable, and sustainable educational solutions.

The geopolitical relations between China and Afghanistan have undergone significant transformations in recent years, shaped by regional dynamics, security imperatives, economic cooperation, and strategic interests. As a neighboring country with extensive global influence, China has adopted a pragmatic approach toward Afghanistan, seeking to balance its economic investments with security considerations. This study explores the historical trajectory of Sino-Afghan relations, identifies the key factors influencing their bilateral interactions, and examines Afghanistan’s strategic importance within the broader regional ambitions of China—particularly in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It also briefly investigates China's role in Afghanistan’s political landscape following 2001 and analyzes its evolving stance after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Furthermore, the research highlights the economic, security, and diplomatic dimensions of the two countries’ relationship and evaluates how Beijing’s strategic calculations in Afghanistan align with its broader regional objectives—especially concerning security stability (counterterrorism) and economic expansion. From a geopolitical standpoint, this paper offers insights into the long-term implications of China’s engagement with Afghanistan and its broader impact on the regional power dynamics, using a descriptive-analytical methodology.

Afghanistan, often called a "geological treasure trove," is richly endowed with vast mineral deposits worth over $3 trillion. The minerals, including copper, lithium, iron, gold, and rare earths, can be used to resurrect the nation's economy, reduce dependence on foreign aid, and bring about political stability. However, three decades of conflict, political turmoil, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure have been a hindrance to the effective exploitation of the resources. This paper examines the role of mining in Afghanistan's economic and political development, distilling the opportunities and challenges in the industry. Drawing on comparative case studies from resource-rich countries like Botswana and Chile, the study highlights the importance of open government, robust regulatory institutions, and strategic foreign partnerships. The evidence suggests that an efficiently operated mining sector would be a driver of sustainable development, provided that Afghanistan addresses deep-seated systemic evils in the form of corruption, insecurity, and environmental degradation. The research concludes with policy imperatives aimed at maximizing the contribution of the sector to national development.

Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, this research investigates the relationship between spirituality and psychological resilience in the Afghan population. Of the 1,247 identified studies, 47 (N=12,468) met the inclusion criteria. The results of the random-effects model analysis confirm a strong positive correlation between spirituality and psychological resilience (r = 0.64, 95% CI [0.58, 0.70], p < .001). Furthermore, there is significant heterogeneity among studies (I² = 76.3%, Q = 182.45, p < .001). Additionally, moderator analysis reveals that the effect of spirituality on resilience is significantly stronger in Afghan groups experiencing war trauma (β = 0.72) compared to non-traumatized groups (β = 0.51). Meta-regression results indicate that daily spiritual practice accounts for 43.2% of the total variance in psychological resilience among the Afghan community. In comparison to the findings of Salsman et al. (2015) and Schwalm et al. (2022), which reported a moderate correlation between the two variables (r = 0.45-0.52), this study has reinforced the presence of a stronger effect of spirituality on resilience in the context of prolonged conflict, presenting a novel contribution. Lastly, the mediation analysis indicates that the sense of meaning in life mediates the spirituality-resilience relationship in Afghanistan by 67.8% (95% CI [61.2, 74.5]). This research expands upon the findings of Meichenbaum (2008) by identifying specific mechanisms that explain the protective role of spirituality in the context of collective trauma in Afghanistan. Thus, these findings can universally serve as an empirical foundation for developing spirituality-based interventions for trauma recovery in communities affected by prolonged conflict.

The Wakhan Corridor is surrounded by the concerned region of Mekandar. The access strip is located at the intersection of four countries, the mainland of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, China and  Pakistan. The Wakhan Corridor has  been  the mainly vital intersection point of the Silk Road since its inception. This corridor has long been used by Europeans and Chinese as a trade path to reach the Indian plains and sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean via the coasts of the Arabian Sea. At the joint of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan lies a small extend of land in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province known as the Wakhan Corridor. Being a passage of the old Silk Road, this corridor is of great historical value. It still has a lot of room for increase in terms of tourism and regional connectivity. Wakhan region is considered relatively peaceful as there is no law-and-order problem.  Construction of  the  road  through  Wakhan  will improve regional trade and business, especially for Pakistan, Central Asia and Afghanistan. It could provide the fastest trade route for China to access Afghanistan and Pakistan for access to Central Asia. In this context, the research explores the possibilities of revitalizing the Wakhan Corridor through the construction of road infrastructure. This paper highlights the economical importance of the Wakhan Corridor in the light of the emerging regional scenario. Both ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban are essential to disrupt the corridor and create security challenges for development. To benefit from future trade improvements along the Wakhan Corridor, the three countries (Pakistan, China and Tajikistan) should focus on the security and political situation.