Security, Democratic Reform, and Development Through Transparency and National Unity

Speech at the Introduction Ceremony of Waheed Omar as Senior Advisor on Public and Strategic Communications

Keypoints:

• Security & stability: Condemned violence; stressed peace for stability
• Development & self-reliance: Economic independence and reduced aid reliance
• Regional cooperation: Afghanistan as “Heart of Asia” transit hub
• Balanced economy: Equitable growth, investment, higher domestic revenue
• Peace process: Inclusive talks and Loya Jirga consultation
• Governance & transparency: Strong institutions and constitutional reform
• Access to information: Enforce RTI law and promote transparency culture
• Democracy & identity: Elections, unity, independence centenary, cultural revival

Charchinar Palace

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Respected Dr. Mohib, Mr. Daudzai, Mr. Waheed Omer, Mr. Fazly, esteemed members of the cabinet, representatives of the media, all attendees in the hall, the honorable Minister of Higher Education, the honorable Minister of Public Works, Mr. Baik, and Mr. Farooqi: First of all, I offer you the greeting of the great leader of humanity, peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah!

The attack on our compatriots in Helmand is a sign of cowardice and a total disregard for human, Islamic, and national principles and regulations. Similarly, the assassination of Member of Parliament Obaidullah Khan Barakzai in Kandahar speaks to a complete violation of political competition and principles. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs of Helmand and to the family of the late Mr. Barakzai. I have spoken with the Barakzai family; his body will be transferred tonight and buried with special ceremonies, God willing. I express my condolences to his family, to the political community of Afghanistan, and specifically to the National Assembly of Afghanistan.

Framework of the New Year: Development, Peace, and Democracy

I congratulate all of you on the New Year! The year 1398 possesses specific characteristics that are directly linked to the new responsibility assumed by Mr. Omer. I express my gratitude to Waheed Omer for accepting this role and bringing his experience to it. For this reason, I will briefly emphasize a few key points:

The name of this year is the year of "Development, Peace, and Democracy." First, regarding development: there is a clear necessity that the vision of our state, government, and people be based on self-reliance on one hand, and on the other, transforming Afghanistan's location into the roundabout of the region—a vision that has been clearly articulated to our people. From the public, and specifically from the media present here today, our request is to initiate a national discourse regarding self-reliance and the balanced development of Afghanistan.

Our geographical location, which until a few years ago was deemed valueless, is now transforming into one of our greatest assets, and our people have witnessed this importance. Other initiatives are underway; but first, the conditions must be created to show that Afghanistan is no longer landlocked. We must remove the mindset from our brains that we are a landlocked country; on the contrary, our emphasis must be on being the Heart of Asia, a position that God has granted us. The Heart of Asia needs to be dynamic itself and connected with the rest of Asia; therefore, there is a necessity to redefine our foreign policy.

Redefining Foreign Policy and Regional Economic Strategy

Historically, our foreign policy has generally had two aspects, both reflecting the mindsets of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The first is that we view foreigners as outsiders rather than collaborators. Our regional foreign policy must be executed on the basis of comprehensive cooperation with the entire region because if we wish to attain a 9 percent growth rate, it is impossible without regional cooperation, and the economic mindsets of the 19th and early 20th centuries will not suffice. Second, policy by definition means a sustainable and purposeful strategy; it cannot be reactionary, emotional, or fragmented. The necessity is very clear: we must fundamentally expand the foundations laid in our regional policy, and within this framework, our economic cooperation with Pakistan is part of our national policy. We want Afghanistan to be the transit point for transferring Central Asian energy to South Asia. This is something that only Afghanistan can perform for Pakistan. In return, we demand proper relations based on independence, territorial integrity, the constitution, and national sovereignty.

The second point is that a country cannot call itself truly independent until it achieves economic independence. Foreign aid has never brought prosperity to any country; rather, it has merely been a tool. The core issue is sustainable and long-term development. Alongside this, the balanced development of all economic zones and provinces is mandatory. We were forced to start from the north and the west; but our resources must now be developed in a balanced manner across the entirety of Afghanistan. Our planning is underway for a new investment program worth 8.5 billion dollars, and for the first time, we are willing to take loans for projects that will yield massive returns.

Financial Strategy and Domestic Revenue

We are in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Around 5 billion dollars will come from state capital and 3.5 billion dollars will come from private investments that are currently taking shape. At a minimum, our target must be that within two years, Afghanistan itself provides for its ordinary budget expenditures and begins to pay for its major economic costs, which is entirely achievable. Another necessity for this discourse, specifically regarding revenue, is that we currently collect only 35 percent of our potential national revenue, despite the fact that our collected revenue has expanded by 90 percent. This must be part of our discourse: how all the people and the nation participate in this process, because every single penny we earn ourselves increases our freedom by that same amount.

The Centennial of Independence and Cultural Revival

The second characteristic of the year 1398, first and foremost, is that we are celebrating the centennial of Afghanistan’s independence. It is hoped that the concept of independence, sustainable independence, the dimensions of independence, and the necessity of national unity, harmony, and solidarity will feature prominently in this discussion. In this regard, I am also proud that 1,400 years of Dari literature will be celebrated this year. Dari has been the language of connection for the region and the world, and specifically, the relationship of Dari with Pashto and Uzbek will undergo fundamental analysis.

All recent research indicates that the Dari language is a product of Afghanistan and Central Asia; back then, Iran was a Pahlavi-speaking region, and over time, this language became a shared language of connection. The necessity is for us to celebrate our magnificent culture in this sector, and the Minister of Information and Culture along with all colleagues will work on this, God willing.

Second is the topic of elections. The constitution, our national covenant, and elections are the primary benchmarks of democracy; hence, this is an auspicious public environment for electoral debate. Before the Election Commission permits official campaigning, the ground for national debate must be prepared, as the 100th anniversary of independence will be celebrated in all provinces and corners of Afghanistan. That part of our cultural heritage that had been obliterated is now being revived. This obliterated cultural heritage consisted of all the structures that existed during the era of King Amanullah Khan. Paghman—which was built at least eighty years before "Camp David"—was leveled to the ground; I am referring to the Bala Bagh of Paghman. The same applies to Darul Aman and other locations.

The necessity is to reconnect our culture so that the balance of our lasting cultural values in terms of poetry, literature, artifacts, and historical foundations is linked with independence in a clear continuity. In this sector, I specifically ask you, Mr. Omer, as well as Mr. Wafi Amin and other colleagues, to fundamentally celebrate the revival of the Darul Aman Palace as a major national achievement, along with Paghman, Jabal al-Siraj, and other locations that I will not name individually, as a core axis of our national identity. In this regard, it is particularly vital to work with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education so that youth, women, and all segments of society are included.

The Consultative Peace Loya Jirga and the Pulse of the Nation

The third and critical topic is peace. Mr. Daudzai is present here. First, the Consultative Peace Loya Jirga will take place on the exact date set by Mr. Daudzai, which is also stipulated in the presidential decree. This Jirga is truly a national assembly in every sense. The formula we have agreed upon is to apply a multiplier of seven to the number of National Assembly members for each province, ensuring a clear and logical baseline. Representatives will emerge from villages, districts, municipalities, and provinces in a balanced manner. At the same time, all other necessary segments of society will be actively included in this national discourse. They will be part of it.

The purpose of the Jirga is clearly defined by two main topics in the decree. Convening this assembly is absolutely vital and necessary because we must accurately gauge the pulse of the nation and clearly understand where our boundaries lie. On the other hand, it is obvious that the people of Afghanistan want peace. The issue is not about wanting peace; it is about how peace is defined. What kind of peace do we want? It is essential that the entire nation is included in this process.

Look at the assemblies that have taken place so far, such as the Women’s Jirga. I congratulate Mr. Safi, all our sisters, Mr. Yusuf, and everyone involved for successfully bringing women together. In the past, neither the youth nor women were included. The very first step was taken by our esteemed religious scholars. The fatwa issued by 2,906 Islamic scholars was a magnificent historical movement. This was followed by the fatwa from Indonesia, then the declarations from Riyadh and Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and subsequently the fatwas from the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).

The Political Reality of the Conflict and the Bounds of Peace

War and conflict have no religious justification. This has been made clear by both the scholars of Afghanistan and the entire Islamic world. Since this war is political, it requires a political solution. We need a comprehensive and transparent debate on how to align this process, and this discussion must be carried out fearlessly and clearly by the nation.

We seek to hold a Jirga to consult the people. It is the advice of our citizens that will determine these boundaries. At the same time, we must clearly define our parameters: what path are we taking, and through what mechanism will we move forward?

If we can prevent the shedding of blood even for a single day, that day will be counted as a blessing for us in this world and the hereafter. As I have told you before, if I am asked on the Day of Judgment, "What is your plea for intercession?" I will answer, "The ceasefire." However, we must ensure all dimensions are transparently laid out. Our relations regarding peace are anchored in principled discussions and our fundamental national interests. The state is represented by its enduring interests—interests that are sustainable and desired by the vast majority of the Afghan people. These must be achieved through the peace process, and God willing, they will be.

The panic that occasionally arises when you look at the headlines is a common pattern; look at the experiences of other countries. Unfortunately, the historical trend shows that right before reaching peace, violence escalates in almost every nation undergoing this transition. This should not cause us permanent fear. It requires unwavering focus and strict adherence to principles, as these violent escalations are usually attempts to gain leverage. Until conditions are fully ripe, we must exercise extreme precision and wisdom, God willing.

Strengthening State Institutions and Constitutional Order

Two key pillars bind all of these efforts together. The first is empowering and strengthening the state. The empowerment of the state is not tied to any single individual; it is a national covenant and duty. Our national covenant is the Constitution. A strong state is one that is capable of implementing the Constitution, particularly Chapter Two. Chapter Two accommodates all the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of this nation. How can we implement it, especially regarding the eradication of poverty? None of this can be achieved without a capable state.

The second pillar is our national unity. In total alignment with the mandates of the Constitution, our information-sharing and dialogue must transform into constructive national debates.

Freedom of Information and Administrative Reform

This brings us to the Access to Information Law. On paper, Mr. Omer, we possess the finest access to information law. You, along with your colleagues present in this hall—Mr. Mortazavi, Mr. Chakhansuri, and all other team members—must reach a clear agreement to ensure the Access to Information Law is practically implemented and becomes effective. Laws are drafted specifically to be enforced. Yet, the culture of withholding information remains a widespread challenge. Today, and every fifteen days, I receive reports detailing exactly how many of my directives and requests have been executed. It is clear that we are confronting a major cultural transformation.

Mr. Omer, I thank you once again for stepping forward at a juncture that may seem difficult from a distance, but from up close, we hope to transform it into a grand opportunity. I appreciate your cooperation and hope you will foster the necessary coordination for an open debate and a national discourse that benefits us all.

Long live Afghanistan!