Parwan: The Gateway of National Resilience, Industrial Transformation, and the Legacy of the Great Imam

Address at the Public Gathering in Parwan Province

Keypoints: 

• National Unity: Parwan as the security anchor for Kabul and the state.
• Industrialization: Transforming Barik Ab into a global agro-export hub.
• Heritage: Restoring Jabal al-Saraj Palace as a national landmark.
• Education: Expanding Parwan University and honoring Imam Azam’s legacy.
• Regional Link: Developing the Salang Pass as a Central Asian gateway.
• Empowerment: Granting commercial space to women and leadership to youth.
• Resource Governance: Modernizing irrigation to secure farmers’ livelihoods.
• Democracy: Upholding elections as the foundation of a law-based system.

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

Dear compatriots of Parwan, esteemed scholars, dear sisters, elders, influential figures, youth, all segments of society, the Governor of Parwan, the Governor of Kapisa, Haji Almas, honorable members of the Cabinet, colleagues who have come from Kabul, and Mr. Baig: First of all, I offer you the gift of the Leader of Humanity: Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah!

My remarks consist of approximately four sections.

First Section – Gratitude and Congratulations to Parents and Security Forces

First is a message of gratitude and congratulations. I thank all the fathers and mothers of Parwan who have raised children who today manfully and bravely defend this homeland. The blood of Mir Masjedi Khan, Mir Bacha Khan, and all the Mujahideen flows today in every vein of our National Army, National Police, and National Directorate of Security. I express my gratitude to the Chief of Staff, the Senior Deputy Minister for Security, Mr. Abad, and Mr. Waziri. The sons of Parwan, serving as soldiers, sergeants, officers, and generals, protect not only the Greater Shomali but all thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. Thank you! The world needs such parents who raise such children; you are the pride of the flower of Afghanistan.

Second Section – Gratitude to the People of Parwan for Stability and Security

Second, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the respected people of Parwan and the Council of Greater Shomali for strengthening stability and the system. The worst day of my life was the day I arrived at the airport after twenty-four years—it is in your memories—and the wound of that day in Parwan, and the wound of every vine, tree, and inch of Parwan, will never be erased from my heart. But today, by your grace, people of Parwan, Parwan is once again green, joyful, and hopeful. All of this is because Parwan desires a system and has brought order itself. On behalf of General Waziri and all the leaders of our security and defense forces, I want to thank the people of Parwan for their security. You are truly a source of pride. Today, Parwan is the cause of Kabul’s security, not Kabul the cause of Parwan’s security. I want to transfer this hope, born of security in Parwan, to all of Afghanistan.

Third Section – Thanks for the Meeting and Fair Judgment

Third—as it is nearly time for prayer, I will speak briefly—I thank all segments of Parwan who honored me with a meeting today and shared very good and useful views in a constructive atmosphere. I especially thank you for your fair judgment. This does not mean all of Parwan’s problems are solved, but in the judgment I saw, you appreciated what has been solved and conveyed what is still needed with the wisdom that only a very prudent people possess. Your prudence and encouragement have won my heart.

Congratulations on Inaugurated Projects

Next, I offer my congratulations. First, on the inauguration of the Barik Ab Industrial Park, which was one of the great demands of the people of Parwan. I congratulate all of you on this park, which serves Kapisa and Kabul as well. Seventeen factories are currently being established, and soon, Insha'Allah, this will become one of the most important industrial-agricultural hubs in Afghanistan. Every orchardist and landowner in Parwan, and everyone who produces vegetables and fruits, will see a change in their pockets, and I want to see that change in the pockets of the people of Parwan.

Second, I thank the Minister of Public Works for the completion of the Jabal al-Saraj–Nijrab road. Now, Insha'Allah, the famous products of Nijrab, including its pomegranates, will reach all of Afghanistan.

Third, I congratulate you on several projects inaugurated today, but I have a special spiritual connection to the Jabal al-Saraj Palace because my grandfather was twice the Supreme Governor of the Shomali. He was the one who obtained permission for the school of Ustad Khalili from the regime that had banned it. Today, those memories of Jabal al-Saraj came to my mind. Our commitment is that by August 19, 2019, which is the centenary of our independence, the Jabal al-Saraj Palace will be gifted back to the people of Parwan and Afghanistan. Specifically, for the women of Parwan, I have promised that the palace and the park of Jabal al-Saraj will be at their disposal two days a week. As the Governor said, it will become a center for regional, national, and international tourism. Regarding your request for the Bagram road junction, I personally reviewed the contract for the Jabal al-Saraj road in the National Procurement Commission yesterday. It will take one week for the contract to be finalized, and you will see the start of the work you have fundamentally expected.

You have given the National Unity Government—Dr. Abdullah and me—a very large debt. Whether you voted for him or for me, your vote was not wasted. We have given you the first installment; other large installments remain, and I will return to my commitments at the end. However, I want to share the summary of some of Parwan’s messages with all the people of Afghanistan today.

Summary of Messages from the People of Parwan

First, Parwan is a maker of heroes and continues to have heroes today. It creates heroes, and its children are heroes in the security and defense forces, in schools, and in universities. Parwan has the will to build Afghanistan.

Second, Parwan is committed to strengthening stability and the system. Parwan does not see itself outside the system; it sees its future in an inclusive and democratic Afghan system. Parwan is a model of national unity and desires national unity throughout Afghanistan.

Third, Parwan has a national and regional vision. Today, it understands that it is one of the important gateways to Central Asia. Therefore, it does not think only within the framework of Parwan. In addition to being inclusive of all Afghanistan, Parwan thinks about Central Asia, India, Saudi Arabia, and all our major partners in terms of trade, exports, and relations. Parwan must know that its future is different from its recent past but similar to its distant past. When Ibn Battuta came to Parwan, the name was already Parwan, and even then, it was a center of knowledge. It is the home of Imam Azam; it is the home of the light of religion, the home of Jihad, and the home of Afghanistan's pride.

Fourth, what I heard from all segments of Parwan—including the esteemed scholars—was not only about religious issues but also focused on water management. One of the primary messages from the scholars was how to make Parwan's agriculture self-sustaining. The distinction between religion and the world in Parwan exists within a single framework: our Islamic and national identity.

Parwan has a consensus on economic and human transformation and the strengthening of democracy in Afghanistan. Parwan values a role for its women and is ready for the cooperation of generations and classes, involving its scholars and youth. Parwan has open arms for the rest of Afghanistan and invites all of Afghanistan to Parwan. Parwan’s message is one of connection, not division. Parwan is weary of discord and desires unity, solidarity, and harmony. Parwan has a message for the enemies of Afghanistan: you can harm us, but you can never bend the back of this great land. I am especially proud that Parwan tells some neighbors who try to frighten us by closing their ports: "Close them; Afghanistan will not be shaken."

A dignified and committed Afghanistan, where the rule of law is implemented through the Constitution, is the demand of all the people of Parwan and Afghanistan. I am proud to hear that Parwan seeks major investment in its children, youth, universities, and schools. Therefore, the message Parwan has for the rest of the country today is one of hope. Part of the foundation has been laid, and a surge is needed to bring speed to our movement. The message of the people of Parwan is the strengthening of reforms, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this message.

Commitments and Promises Made

What is my commitment? All your proposals will be reviewed and categorized. Within one or two months, clear budgetary commitments will be acted upon. You do not want mere words—too many words have been spoken to you in the past. You want action from me. I will present the announcement of actions fundamentally, one by one, in the coming weeks.

The Grand Mosque in the center of Parwan will be built as soon as possible. It will be two stories, with one floor dedicated to the respected women of Parwan. Second, a cultural center named after Imam Azam will be established by the government in Parwan province, and the first major conference on Imam Azam will be held in Parwan. You may hold the second day of the conference at the Presidential Palace (Arg).

Third, two things are essential for Parwan University. First, clear instructions are given to the Independent Land Authority and the Governor to fundamentally develop the university’s area. I want to sign the grant of new land for the development of Parwan University as soon as possible. Second, regarding the professors, I proposed that complexes like the Polytechnic or Kabul University are not possible in this timeframe. My proposal is that a dormitory for the professors of Parwan University be started as soon as possible by the Presidential Operational Unit, just as work began on the Jabal al-Saraj Palace, so they have a place to stay. It is essential to have a clear message and move forward.

Another point is land for sports. I am ready to pass the free allocation of land through the Cabinet based on your and the Governor’s proposal so that our sports sector has full confidence. Because women also requested a commercial complex, I promised ten million Afghanis for sports and am promising twenty million Afghanis today for the women’s complex; the remainder can be included in the new year's budget.

Regarding points that require attention and for which I will return to you in two months: water management in Parwan province, and the issue of city roads, for which the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development and the Ministry of Public Works must come to work. But most importantly, the investors of Parwan are ready to invest. Whenever they are ready, Governor, I want a special meeting at the Arg with the investors of Parwan and Kapisa to show your investments and create jobs. These investments are the solution to the unemployment problem for youth. Mr. Jilani, I ask you and your colleagues to come to the Arg with a clear and specific plan.

These installments will provide the grounds for work. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Works is working hard on the new Salang tunnel. As soon as the technical studies are completed, we will work on the Salang alternative and the fundamental reconstruction of the Salang tunnel.

Another point is that since the Minister of Interior is not present today, Parwan’s traffic situation requires full management. The amount of casualties Parwan has endured is unacceptable. I want a clear and detailed plan from the Ministry of Interior for Parwan’s traffic management. This is a national issue, not just a local one; thousands of trucks pass through here and the need is clear. Also, I want the security of the Ghorband districts ensured in the year 2019.

Regarding participation—from all districts, ethnicities, and noble segments—positions held for more than five years will all be announced for recruitment. A fundamental change is coming; they will fundamentally see themselves in the governance of Parwan. The local government, like the national government, must be a transparent mirror. Thank you for your trust in the Governor; he is also a Governor I trust. I thank Haji Almas for his efforts in the Greater Shomali and his continuous work to strengthen democracy.

Requests to the People of Parwan

What is my request? My first request is that the systemic and hero-nurturing people of Parwan take the elections seriously. Elections are what change a law-based system from a regressive and individual-centered movement. Therefore, Saturday’s election for the Wolesi Jirga and the presidential election are key. Without the will of the people, we cannot push reforms forward. The request is clear; the facilities are there. The great wealth that God has bestowed is a source of pride, and we also have human wealth. In the past, or if we spoke seventeen years ago, we were searching desperately for four engineers; today, we have thousands of young people, women, elders, and committed scholars for all of whom the ground is being prepared.

My second request is for the continued support you have given to the security and defense forces. Specifically, the creation of the Regional Army is underway. I want Parwan to be a very strong example for the creation of the Regional Army so that the security of the Ghorband districts is ensured. The security of Ghorband is now absolutely linked to the food and economic security of all Afghanistan, as the Dushi-Bamiyan and Bamiyan-Parwan alternative routes are key. Central Afghanistan cannot remain in isolation; Central Afghanistan is becoming the active heart of the country once again, and this happens through Parwan, Maidan Wardak, Mazar-e-Sharif, and other routes.

Third is peace. Peace is the demand of our nation. Peace requires precision, prudence, and commitment. From Parwan, I see prudence, commitment, and logic. We must reach a result on the price of peace through a national consensus to see what the price of war, blood, and peace is. If religious legitimacy for war ever existed, it was ended thanks to our esteemed scholars and their activities in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the Two Holy Mosques. Now the issue has no religious basis; we all know we must end forty years of crisis. In forty years of crisis, if it had been anyone other than an Afghan—if it had been a stone—it would have melted. I am proud of this great nation that still has the strength not only to breathe but the will to build and coordinate.

My other request to the private sector and the segments of Parwan is to bring organized plans so we can develop Parwan’s immense potential. First, the current use of grapes is becoming ten times better; our job is this, and I am committed to opening regional and international markets for you. But my request to you is to create a producers' union so we can solve the credit problem. Create a processors' union so that instead of only fresh grapes, we export the best raisins in the world. A great change has come in the varieties of vegetables; specifically, take exports seriously. Come with specific proposals for international markets so we can solve the problem.

Another part not to be forgotten—especially since Mr. Liwal is present—is that Mr. Liwal is an epic poet. Thank you, Mr. Liwal. My humble view is that five epics of these past two, three, and four hundred years will be read with pride after today. One of his greatest epics is the epic of Kapisa. These epics must be preserved and read. My reason is that our history is a history of anti-extremism, co-existence, unity, and the Silk Road. It is necessary for us to know our past.

Closing Message on History, Values, and Hope

Imam Azam has a message for today’s Islamic world. His message is one of a self-reliant Islam that fears no one and is ready to sit at an equal table with any other civilization and establish its values through rationality. We must not be on the defensive against terrorism and accusations of terrorism. We are not responsible for terrorism; the greatest sacrifices have been given first by Afghans and second by the Islamic world. In the Islamic world, the Parwan of Imam Azam—the civilized Parwan, the Parwan that was one of the centers of the great Greek and Kushan civilizations twenty-two hundred years ago—carries a message of unity. It carries the message that Afghanistan is the crossroads of Asia. We have immense and wide connections; therefore, the need is clear for us to understand our history.

Our children must be acquainted with a deep love for this land and soil that has always produced heroes, and with hero-women, hero-men, and hero-youth. In the end, I am again proud that Parwan today is a living example of our Islamic and national values, and these values, Insha'Allah, will bring Afghanistan from the crises we have inherited to the shores of salvation and prosperity.

May Afghanistan live forever! May Afghanistan live forever! Long live Afghanistan! Long live ancient Parwan!