Balkh: A Symbol of National Unity, Hope for the Future, and Afghanistan’s Economic Growth

Speech at the Public Gathering in Mazar-e-Sharif

Keypoints: 

• National Unity: Unity among all communities.
• Future Hope: Promoting optimism nationwide.
• Security Stability: Strengthening security through cooperation.
• Economic Growth: Expanding jobs and sustainable growth.
• Regional Connectivity: Strengthening regional trade connections.
• Democratic Governance: Supporting transparent democratic processes.
• Women’s Empowerment: Advancing women’s leadership participation.
• Youth Engagement: Empowering youth in national development.
• Religious Harmony: Promoting peaceful religious coexistence.
• Infrastructure Development: Improving infrastructure and public services.
• Good Governance: Ensuring accountable and transparent governance.

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

Honorable elders, dear sisters, beloved brothers, and dear inhabitants of the ancient province of Balkh: Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

Honorable First Lady Bibi Gul and I are very pleased to be with you today in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif and in this assembly. This province and this city possess an ancient and proud history and immense potential. Honoring this historical heritage and transforming this potential into opportunity is possible through your help; it is our duty and our responsibility.

Honorable Governor, respected elders, dear sisters, dear brothers, and dear compatriots of the ancient province of Balkh: Peace be upon you!

Honorable First Lady Bibi Gul and I are delighted to be present today in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif and in this meeting with you. This city and province have an ancient, proud history and great capacity. Honoring this historical heritage and converting this potential into facilities through specific and organized programs is, Insha'Allah (God willing), possible with your assistance and is our duty and responsibility.

Sisters and brothers! Today, I am proud to be in Balkh with the First Lady—the Balkh that is the home of Afghanistan’s national unity. The Balkh that does not discriminate based on which province an Afghan comes from; its embrace is wide. The Balkh whose women follow the path of Rabia Balkhi, and whose esteemed scholars follow the path of Maulana Rumi (Balkhi) and hundreds of other saints. The Balkh whose youth possess vision and whose traders and industrialists have specific plans. Since you have supported me, my resolve from this point forward shall be doubled.

My remarks are divided into several sections:

I. Gratitude and Security

First is a message of thanks. I thank all segments of Balkh—the Provincial Council, the esteemed scholars, the youth, the women, the industrialists, civil society, and all the various dimensions [strata] of Balkh society—for welcoming the First Lady and me over these two days, not just as a President, but as a friend and servant.

Secondly, I thank every citizen of Balkh for the stability and security of this province. Without the active role of the people, stability, prosperity, and security in Balkh would not be possible. From the bottom of my heart, I thank every resident of Balkh once again.

Thirdly, I have a special word of thanks for the sisters of Balkh. Yesterday, while opening the maternity hospital, we saw capable doctors, skilled nurses, and committed midwives. Today, the presence of Balkh's women in all walks of life is a source of pride for all the people of Afghanistan. Specifically, we met the female industrialists and entrepreneurs of Balkh, and both the First Lady and I listened to their specific views.

I especially thank the Honorable Governor. You were my special representative, you are, and you will remain so. I thank you for your sound management and for creating an atmosphere that is forward-looking and believes in the future. Specifically, I thank you for reporting the security situation in Mazar-e-Sharif—which was threatened by a few hoodlums—and for suggesting a special unit. I will place dozens of special units at your service. I thank you for your prudence, and I thank the Provincial Council, especially Mr. Hadid.

Democracy must be based on healthy criticism. A president who does not have the patience to hear criticism has no place in Afghanistan. Our job in the city of Maulana is to "connect, not to sever" (وصل کردن نه فصل کردن). If the "flute" (the people) has a lament, it is a lament for peace. I thank all members of the Provincial Council and all segments of Balkh.

II. Seven Messages from Balkh to the World

Ancient Balkh has several messages for Afghanistan and the world today, and I wish to share these seven messages I have heard with our other compatriots:

1. Hope and Faith: Balkh is not hopeless; therefore, Afghanistan must not be hopeless. I see an atmosphere saturated with hope. Every young person, investor, woman, and scholar from Balkh speaks of hope. This hope is the greatest medicine to resolve our inherited forty-year crisis. Balkh hopes to put a full stop to this crisis, and its own stability serves as a model for "hope" to take deeper roots.

2. Transformation: Balkh wants reform, democracy, and the empowerment of women, youth, and the national participation of all Afghan brothers and sisters as equals. We accept and implement this with heart and soul.

3. Growth as a Gateway: Balkh is ready for growth. To me, Balkh is Afghanistan's open door to Central Asia, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Europe. Balkh and Hairatan should not view themselves on a small local scale. Balkh will, Insha'Allah, turn into one of the largest centers for exports and international trade. We will provide one of the largest international consulting firms to help us clearly visualize the future of Mazar-e-Sharif and Hairatan. I want a ten-lane highway, not a small alley.

4. The Point of Connection: After 117 years, our brotherly relations with Uzbekistan have been restored. Nineteen agreements were signed in one day, and Balkh has benefited the most. Balkh is the connection point for all provinces. Our vision is clear: we must all be connected—tribes, ethnicities, men, women, children, and the elderly.

5. National Unity: Balkh is the center of national unity. It does not permit division, narrow-mindedness, prejudice, or privilege-seeking. National unity is not just in words; it is in our connections. Because of our successful policy of connecting to Central Asia, people did not feel the full impact of the drought. In 2009, when a drought came, you saw its impact; today, no one felt a shortage of wheat. Economic unity is as important as intellectual unity. When Afghans are united, I see no force on earth that can defeat us.

6. Religious Harmony: The model of brotherhood between Sunnis and Shiites in Balkh is unparalleled. I am proud of this accord. Our enemies in Kabul have carried out attacks to create religious division because they realized they cannot defeat us on the battlefield or in politics. They will remain "blinded" in this pursuit; the people of Afghanistan are one and united.

7. Faith in Democracy: I thank the Governor for his assurances regarding the elections. Without elections, a democratic system cannot be consolidated. I hope it has been proven to you that your servant is someone who, instead of clinging to the constitutional five-year term, insisted that the election must be held on the specific day dictated by the Constitution. We are all servants. Just as I went from the Ministry of Finance back to teaching, I will be proud to serve the children of this nation after my presidency.

III. Addressing Specific Problems and Infrastructure

1. Prisons and Addiction: A site has been allocated for the prison and for drug addicts. You will see the speed of action here.

2. Ring Road: The ring road was not "besieged by the Arg" (the Palace). It will be taken up in the next National Procurement Commission meeting on Monday. When the decision reaches my desk, I will be decisive.

3. Humanitarian Aid: I have instructed the Minister of Agriculture and other officials to conduct a comprehensive survey under the Governor's supervision. Whatever aid Balkh needs will be provided.

4. Airport and Electricity: A clear decision will be made regarding the airport alternatives. Regarding electricity, a delegation is investigating the tariff issues. My news for you is that within 18 months, the entire Afghan power grid will be converted into a single unified network. When I became President, there were nine separate "islands" of power. We are in the final stages of unification.

IV. Security and the Future of the North

To any thief who wants to jeopardize the security of Mazar-e-Sharif: even if you flee to the mountains or jump into the sea, Mazar is not your place. You will be dealt with severely. I have instructed the Balkh unit to be strengthened. Suppress every thief and villain with force; you have the authority.

Why do the enemies move the war to the North? Because of our large projects and our connection to Central Asia. These threats are intentional. We will not allow Northern Afghanistan to become insecure. My primary focus in the next four months will be the security of the North and Northeast.

Our security forces—the Commandos, the Air Force, and the National Police—are capable of defending our national sovereignty. Today, they can reach any point in Afghanistan within 12 to 24 hours. The enemies should know that this is not the old Afghanistan.

V. Economic Vision

Lastly, I had an essential discussion with the investors of Balkh. We need a new plan for job creation and investment. I ask you to come together within the next four to six weeks with a united plan. The government will fundamentally solve the land issue. I announce here that you should propose and complete your own industrial parks; I will not accept government red tape.

Let us commit to bringing Balkh's growth to 9%. We cannot solve poverty with charity; we solve it through job creation. To the women of Balkh: your businesses will be strengthened. You are the daughters of Khadija (the greatest merchant of Arabia), Rabia Balkhi, and Goharshad.

I want Balkh to become the center that helps the underdeveloped provinces of Afghanistan, rather than just waiting for foreign aid.

Long live Afghanistan!