Restoring Trust and Justice: Rebuilding Citizen Confidence and Urban Progress in Kabul

Speech at the Ceremony for the Refund of Excess Charges to Makroriyan-4 Residents – ARG

Keypoints: 

• Restoring Trust: Returning excess payments builds citizen confidence.
• Justice and Accountability: Government acts with fairness and transparency.
• Citizen Rights: Protecting property, safety, and well-being of residents.
• Urban Development: Creating safe and livable neighborhoods in Kabul.
• Collaboration: Citizens, private sector, and government work together.
• Infrastructure and Services: Improving parks, water, and preserving history.
• Long-Term Planning: Implementing short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.
• National Pride: Inspiring citizens to contribute to Kabul and Afghanistan.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Honorable Mr. Atmar, Mr. Qayoumi, Mr. Naderi, the esteemed Chancellor of Kabul University, the Mayor, all distinguished guests, sisters and brothers—and especially the citizens of the Fourth Macrorayan: KhaRaghlast! Khosh Keldiying! Khosh Amaded! (Welcome!)

Today is not merely the day of returning 107 million Afghanis; today is the day of restoring dignity and the contract between the state and the nation. A government that is not trusted by the nation cannot endure, and a government that attracts the nation's trust can perform any great task. Therefore, it is hoped that the people of Afghanistan, and especially the citizens of Kabul, understand that the return of this overcharge is an investment in creating trust between the people, the private sector, and the government of Afghanistan.

Housing for Returnees and the Renewal of Vows

Sisters and brothers! More than one million of our compatriots have returned to the country, and their urgent need is housing. Today, thanks to the atmosphere created by the honorable Minister, his colleagues, and your trust, let us come together and renew our vow that we will build hundreds of thousands of houses, and all of this is being put into place.

I first want to express my gratitude to you for your appreciation of the Minister and his colleagues. There is no greater appreciation than your gratitude and your impartial and comprehensive review. Thank you for honoring your truthful sons! As Yalda Jan said, a medal does not take the place of the people's appreciation, but we will also give medals to the Minister and his colleagues so that at least no one says that the government's thanks are less than the nation's thanks; however, it is always better for the nation to show appreciation first so that the government follows, rather than the other way around.

Justice as the Foundation of the State

Our fundamental goal, of which today is an example from the rulings of the holy religion of Islam, is "Ensuring Justice." In all matters, the foundation of the holy religion of Islam is laid upon the ensuring of justice. And wherever there is justice, we can emerge from problems; so, building a just system is our and your fundamental goal.

Living in the continuous crisis of the last forty years that we have been in is not acceptable to the nation or to us. We must bring the crises of this country to an end, not make the crises continuous. The great people of Afghanistan need to be certain about a secure future. I thank Dr. Ayan and Mr. Amin for mentioning this atmosphere of renewed trust.

National Resilience and Historical Continuity

In the first year, meaning 1394 (2015), our issue was survival, and the majority of pessimists thought that this country, God forbid, would not continue. They did not know this nation, they did not know me, and they did not know our team! Mr. Atmar, Mr. Qayoumi, Mr. Naderi, and all colleagues—we are a committed team that recognizes no master other than this nation! Our master is the nation, and our belief is in God (JS). This nation will be built because this nation has the pride of not just centuries, but thousands of years. We were not born yesterday only to not exist tomorrow; we have thousands of years of history. Therefore, we have confidence in our future, and that confidence is eternal, God willing.

Urban Rights and Property Security

The main issue in ensuring justice is "Citizens' Rights." Today, the citizens of Fourth Macrorayan are a model for the citizens of other cities in Afghanistan and different points of the city of Kabul. Today, I dedicated almost the entire day to Kabul's issues, and our fundamental goal is how every citizen of Kabul can live with secure property, the preservation of secure property, the preservation of secure life, and secure children, and be hopeful about the future.

Inshallah, with the leadership that has emerged in the urban sector, these wishes are achievable. At the same time, my request and that of all our colleagues to the leadership of the urban sector is to bring all short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions into one program; so that first, an atmosphere of trust, like the actions taken in Fourth Macrorayan or Khwaja Rawash, is gained so that capital becomes wider, and Inshallah, this is being prepared.

Addressing Specific Proposals and Public Space

The fourth point, regarding a portion of the proposals that were made: first, my gratitude to my dear daughter Yalda Latifi. In future conferences, we will invite children. But with infinite respect, Yalda Jan! I cannot order the First Lady; I can only request her! [With humor:] Any man who orders an Afghan woman, let him raise his hand. [Laughter of the audience]. The First Lady thanks you for your proposal.

Second, the arrangements for the park have been taken. Regarding the proposal made by Ayan Sahib, not only is this park considered; but today we have a discussion regarding the city of Kabul that parks in all points of the city of Kabul must increase. The hills, mountains, and the Kabul River belong to all its inhabitants; no bully can take them. Also, the preservation of our historical areas! Kabul has history. Our goal is a Kabul that in the era of Babur to Shah Zaman and these, every Dari-speaking and Pashto-speaking poet sang poems in its praise. Today when they write poetry about Kabul, it is only complaint and grievance, but Inshallah, it will change.

Technical Governance and Economic Sovereignty

Regarding the change of responsibility for Fourth Macrorayan, let the two involved administrations reach a conclusion. The issue of central heating and water—both are vital, and I want the attention of the honorable Minister.

In conclusion, my emphasis is on determining a clear goal, and cooperation and coordination in its implementation. Our society demands a capital that is livable and a source of pride. The key to this is the result of cooperation between the people—as citizens who have rights and obligations—the private sector, and the government sector. They are necessary and binding for each other, and I believe Kabul is a great treasure [Ganj] whose value no one understands yet. Kabul is known to need technical cooperation in one part; but the key to Kabul's wealth is in the hands of the Kabulis themselves. The key to the wealth of every city and Afghanistan is in the hands of the Afghans themselves. Let us be believers, and create coordination and plans that can be trusted and practical.

Closing and National Vision

Again, I congratulate all the citizens that today your trust was gained again. It is hoped that with this belief, we and you can again stand up a city and a country and a nation that is the cause of pride for all of us and the hope of Asia.