A Roadmap for Local Governance: Security, Housing, and Agricultural Reform in Logar

(Address to the People of Logar: A Presidential Visit on Governance and National Unity)

Keypoints: 

• National Unity: Promote "One Boat"; harming the system harms everyone’s future.
• Community Empowerment: Work with councils and Ulama; elders advise the state.
• Citizens’ Charter: Provide 10,000 homes for fallen families; ensure fair Kankor exams.
• Post-Disaster Reconstruction: One month of war costs as much as a province’s infrastructure.
• Rural Development: Modernize Logar’s farming; reduce $4B lost to food imports.
• Jobs & Poverty: Launch employment programs; tackle 36–70% food insecurity.
• Resource Management: Use land and water efficiently; reach wheat self-sufficiency in 5 years.
• Security & Stability: Support defense forces; encourage insurgents to join politics.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Honorable Minister of Interior, Mr. Popal, my very dear uncle who raised me, Mr. Governor, General Yaftali, Mr. Shirzad, the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the Senate, esteemed members of the National Assembly, members of the Provincial Council, Dr. Wali, all elders, scholars, youth, sisters, and especially my three very dear "Logis" (locals)—Peace be upon you all, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

My sister just told me, "Come back again." Have you heard the story of the nomad’s granddaughter? She prayed to be married into the city so she wouldn't have to wander, but then found herself trapped within four walls. Every day, I want to escape from the Arg (Presidential Palace), but these people won't let me [laughter]. This is the first day I have found the opportunity to come back to Logar and be among you. May God keep you prosperous and at peace!

The Sacrifice of Security Forces

My intention is to visit a province every week or two, to hear your problems from up close and reach a conclusion on how to solve them. Everyone knows the security situation of the past year—there were many challenges. But you will all remember that I told you: this year would be our most difficult year. Not a single citizen of this land is happy that the security situation is problematic.

However, I want to begin by thanking our security forces, our generals, our officers, non-commissioned officers, and especially our brave soldiers who are filled with love for this nation. Their sacrifice is the reason our heads remain unbowed before the enemies of Afghanistan. If anyone thinks the President of Afghanistan will go to someone pleading or begging (Nannawati), they will take that wish to their grave!

It is for this reason that I announced that the 10,000 houses being provided through Chinese assistance will be prioritized for our security forces, as well as for civilians and the families of our martyrs. This is a bilateral contract: when someone gives their life for this nation, we are responsible for looking after their family. The value of martyrs will not be honored just by remembering them on "Martyrs' Day"; we will look after their families so that no one looks at their orphans as helpless. I hope this is acceptable to you all.

Governance and the "Provincial Contract"

The second issue is that governance must be at the forefront of our attention. In this regard, we have taken several new steps.

1. Direct Communication: Every month, I hold a video conference with the governors of all 34 provinces to hear their views directly.

2. Accountability: This week, we began a very good new custom: every two weeks, a group of governors comes to Kabul. First, they meet with the Ministers, then they have a special session with the Cabinet and the National Security Council. Governor Fadai was at this meeting; he will give you the details in due time.

3. The Contract: The reason for this is that there must be a "contract." Airy words are not enough. My instruction to all Cabinet Ministers is that they must have a contract with every province; they must report the execution of that contract to me and be held accountable.

Agriculture and Economic Self-Sufficiency

Everyone wants work. All the citizens of Afghanistan want jobs. This year was a matter of survival. You know my expertise is in creating work, but the security situation stood in its way. However, in the coming weeks, we will begin a systematic employment program.

Since Logar is an agricultural province and its people are busy with farming, there is a firm will that within the next five years, Afghanistan will reach self-sufficiency in wheat. This means we must invest in every drop of water. We will also focus on the nomads (Kochi) and livestock sectors. Do you know that we have billions of dollars in agricultural imports every year? Four thousand million dollars! The land currently under cultivation is one-third less than it was during the era of Daoud Khan because fundamental attention was not paid to agriculture. We will address this fundamentally.

Respect for the Law and the Judiciary

With Justice Halim becoming the Chief Justice of Afghanistan, you have seen fundamental changes in the judicial sector, and you will see more. I specifically thank Mr. Halim Fadai. There is a story from the time of Prophet Moses (PBUH) about two people on a boat. One took a knife to drill a hole. The other asked, "What are you doing?" He replied, "I am only drilling my own part!"

Sisters and brothers! This is one boat. The system of Afghanistan is one boat; we are all passengers on it. Anyone who destroys the system destroys themselves! The President of Afghanistan is not a dictator, nor has he deviated from Sharia or the law. The President is the first servant of Afghanistan. But we must give each other our hands to build the system, because there is no other way.

The Status of Religious Scholars (Ulama)

Looking at Logar today, my first instruction this morning was that no one is to conduct raids on the religious scholars. If someone suspects a scholar, they should go to their home with respect. The Ulama are the heirs of the Prophets; they have always guided us in this land. I will not disgrace my family’s 600-year history in a single day. Scholars, as Mr. Halimi proved, are the pillars of this system.

Five hundred years ago, when Jahangir became the Mughal Emperor, he understood this: there are two armies. One is the Army of Force, and the other is the Army of Prayer. Until these two join, there will be no stability in the country. We ask both armies to move together and strengthen the system.

Land Reform and Urban Development

The second problem is land grabbing (Ghasb). Today I summoned Mr. Paikar, the head of the Land Authority (ARAZI). He is a man of integrity and has good plans. He will fundamentally solve the problems of the four plains (Deshts). I have instructed him to make arrangements for the settlement of nomads in provinces where there is good land.

Regarding Pul-e-Alam: it is one of our most beautiful places, but the green areas have been trampled and filth has occurred. My instruction is not to oppress poor people who have spent their money; instead, those who grabbed and sold this land to them must be arrested and handed over to the law. I ask you to introduce three or four top-tier candidates for the Mayor of Pul-e-Alam this week, so I can appoint a Mayor who understands the importance and future of this city.

Education and the Kankor Exam

The youth are the light of our eyes, and they have serious problems with unemployment. But the first point of focus for the youth this year is the transparency of the Kankor (University Entrance Exam). My instruction is that no influential person can interfere in the Kankor area; if they do, I will imprison them.

The exam papers used to be non-standard; now, we have individualized the papers for every student. If someone steals one paper, they can only help one person, right? We cannot accept injustice in the Kankor, as it has led our children to despair. This year, Kankor will be handled with complete transparency.

A Plea for Peace and the Cost of War

Everyone understands the importance of Logar because the security of Kabul is tied to it. I repeat this in Logar today: my wish is to spend my last breaths in my village, but I cannot go to Surkhab until all the villages of Afghanistan and Logar are secure.

To those walking the wrong path: look at the path of God. If you are Afghan, accept your Afghan identity; if you are Muslim, accept Islam. Do not be unjust to the people! Peace and stability do not depend on me alone. I am your servant, you are my masters—but give me your hand. When hands join, they become a mountain. Come with one voice to secure this land so we can move forward.

What is our main problem? 36% of Afghans eat only one meal a day; if you change the metric, it reaches 70%. You know the villages! Poverty means eating once a day instead of three times. It means having one set of clothes a year. Our real enemy is poverty. This country is wealthy, but we are poor. God gave us everything beneath the earth—excellent water, good land, and a great nation—but insecurity has created this problem.

National Unity and Hospitality

I ask you to maintain unity. Be proud of our national unity. If someone has a political problem, the way is politics. Tomorrow, stand in the elections. If the people vote for you, I will be the first to place the turban on your head. But no one can rule an Afghan by force.

A foreigner once asked me, "Who are these Afghans?" I told him, "Ashraf Ghani multiplied by 30 million." He asked what that meant. I said, "Can you force me to do anything?" He said, "No." I replied, "Then you cannot force any Afghan either!" [laughter]. But we are people who are unparalleled in hospitality. To whoever comes as a guest, we open our arms and share our last piece of bread. Let us understand our traditions and the conditions of our noble religion, Islam, and move forward together.

I thank you again and hope you will allow me to return to Logar from time to time. Be well! Long live Afghanistan!