From Reform to Action: Infrastructure, Education, and Citizen Participation

(Speech During Visit and Public Meeting with Eastern Zone Residents in Nangarhar)

Keypoints:

• National Unity – Engage citizens, value voices, strengthen trust.
• Peace & Security – Protect rights, sustain peace, empower forces.
• Good Governance – Ensure transparency, accountability, fight corruption.
• Infrastructure Development – Expand power, roads, schools, hospitals.
• Agriculture & Water – Boost irrigation, production, conserve resources.
• Education & Services – Improve schools, access, institutional efficiency.
• Economic Growth – Promote business, investment, local production.
• Nation-Building Vision – Long-term plan for prosperity, stability, self-reliance.

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

My very dear children, youth; respected peoples of Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman; elders, esteemed Ulema, sisters, brothers; respected Governors, all representatives of the administration; Generals—General Waziri and other Generals; those who have traveled from Kabul—Mr. Sabawon, Mr. Siddiqui, Mr. Khipalwak, the Honorable Minister of Interior; the very respected Chairman of our House of Elders (Meshrano Jirga), the Chief of Staff; Mr. Andarabi—are you not familiar with Mr. Andarabi? It seems no one mentioned his name, yet he is the one conducting all investigations upon you. However, his pledge is that he will commit no wrongful acts in these four provinces. Indeed, he shall not do so anywhere, God willing, but here specifically. Mr. Shinwari, Dr. Toriayali, what happened to Azmon Pacha? Respected sister Siddiqui, and all attendees: As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh

I lack the words to sufficiently thank you. It was your right to speak harshly to me, and I specifically thank our young poet, Katib Shah, for reminding me: why, in such a critical hour, was I willing to accept this immense responsibility? The demand of the people, in a single voice, is Change. Thank you for desiring change. My promise to you is this: Change will come at any cost. I thank our respected Mevlevi who said it is better to die a martyr than to leave in disgrace. I accept martyrdom. I would sacrifice my life for you every time.

The Covenant with the People and Security Forces

Thank you for first entrusting me with this responsibility. If it were not for your will—as you know—people were saying, "This man is mad. Tomorrow he will take up a stick and drive everyone out of the government." But you said, "No, this man is earnest." You had cautioned me often; you always told me, "Doctor Sahib, proceed with a bit of caution." Now, if you tell me to move with speed, I shall move with speed. But I thank you all—especially for the martyrdoms offered by the people of Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman. They have sacrificed not only in these provinces but across all 34 provinces of the country.

Today, as I stand before you wearing this turban (shimla) and speaking as the President of Afghanistan, it is the result of the sacrifices of these sons of Afghanistan. Had they not made these sacrifices, today our only request would have been to seek peace through humble supplication (nanawatai). This President does not go in nanawatai. We will honor these children until eternity. It is unacceptable to me that a son of this soil gives his life, and then it takes a year for his family’s documents to be processed to receive their rights. Such red tape (kaghaz-parani) is forbidden.

Generals! When you bring them in, when you place a rifle in their hands, when you entrust them with the honor of the motherland—do you ask them then for a year’s worth of documentation? My promise to you is not just that their rights will reach them, but that I will look after their children as if they were my own grandchildren. As I have told you, regarding the ten thousand houses being built, by your consensus, a major portion will be allocated to the martyrs of the Army, the Police, and the National Security.

The Philosophy of the "First Servant"

The system belongs to you, and you belong to the system. In the Constitution, the first duty is not that of the President. Let me share a small joke: I visited a district hit by floods. I offered prayers for the affected people. Because I had come from Kabul, the people complained that the District Governor did not come to pray with them. I asked the District Governor, "Why did you not go to pray with the people?" He replied, "Sir, it was not written in my TOR (Terms of Reference)!"

Well, in my "TOR"—which is the Constitution—it is not explicitly written "Listen to the people," yet my first priority is exactly that: I will listen to you. Our mutual pledge shall be this: Mr. Qamaruddin Shinwari gave the President of Afghanistan a title—the First Servant of Afghanistan. The meaning of "Servant" is that the servant listens to his master. My master is the people of Afghanistan, and the people of Afghanistan shall tell me whatever is in their hearts without fear and without any intermediary. I thank you for speaking with me. If you did not consider this system your own, you would not speak to me. It is a matter of gratitude that the people share their pains with me and I thank you.

Bridging the Gap: The Mosque and the State

I will speak briefly on several subjects; some are urgent actions and some will be implemented gradually. First, I thank the esteemed Ulema. My pledge that the distance between the Arg (Palace) and the Mosque must decrease is a central truth.

• The Ulema Initiative: No one in the history of Afghanistan has allocated as many positions to the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs as I have. Since these have not reached you yet, we will do something else: I am directing today that the first Center for Ulema be established in the Nangarhar zone. Once the Ulema begin working immediately with our forces, this will be replicated elsewhere.

Security, Popular Uprisings, and the Rule of Law

Second is the matter of security. You all voiced two demands. One is the winter; every day of winter is urgent, and movement is required every single day. Second, you said the people are ready to join hands with the forces. My directive is this: all those people ready to work with the National Army and Police or to be organized within the Local Police to retake their homes—my Shinwari brothers, I call upon you, I am wearing your turban on my head—take back your homes!

But the boundaries must be clear. National, patriotic, and popular uprisings are built on an Islamic spirit and national commitment. There is no place for summary justice (sahrayi mahkama) among these people. We are not people of the wilderness; we are the heirs of a great world civilization. If we try someone for a crime, we try them in a court and then penalize them. Without the advice of the Ulema and the documentation of a court, the death of anyone is not permissible. Especially when people come and become your neighbors or seek refuge. In Islam, refuge (panah) is a very significant matter. Thus, the uprisings will be organized. My directive is clear: they will work with you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying this is a two-way effort: the government must move, and the people will move with it.

Administrative Accountability and Judicial Reform

I direct the four Governors to mobilize the people. I thank all four provinces for their presence in the National Army, Police, and National Security, but there are vacancies. Let the youth come forward, especially those who have completed their service (tarkhis). One battalion of veterans has already been formed. Recruit more so we can move. I have directed all Governors that they have the right to inspect and take inventory. Wherever there are shortages, take inventory and report back to me. I come to the people because the people do not lie to me. What is on paper must reflect reality—and it is better that reality exceeds what is on paper.

Security is not only the job of security personnel. I thank the Honorable Chief Justice, a son of Greater Nangarhar, for bringing fundamental reforms. He changed the judges of 34 provinces, appointed innovative judges, and this will be followed by changes in the primary, urban, and other courts. There are problems in the Prosecution Office, and we are resolving them, but what is the point? If the Judiciary does not work, the efforts of the Army yield no results. The same applies to governance. So my request specifically to the Ulema, tribal elders, all officials, youth, sisters, and brothers, is this: Stability comes from you. Help in bringing stability. Gather the people and be coordinated. There can be no "two hates."

Afghanistan is our shared boat. No one can be allowed to drill a hole in it. Protecting it is an obligation upon all of us so that we may find direction, and we can only do this by becoming one hand. In the realm of governance, the first part of the work is done. Starting next week, every Governor will have twenty minutes every three weeks specifically to speak with me. I have signed written contracts with the Ministers. From now on, the responsibility for these contracts lies with my office.

Development: Water, Energy, and Regional Connectivity

Today I have called you so that we may speak as a Zone. I will visit every province of Afghanistan again and again to hear from you directly. Katib Shah specifically took some good "shots" at me; I thank you from my heart. You gave me your vote; it is your right. We will preserve the honor and pride of your language. A special commission is being appointed for Kunar so that all individuals appointed through "lottery" (pacha) are identified and removed. If I do not implement reform, I am responsible.

Regarding development: first, I mention the Salma Dam and the TAPI project. The Hissar-e-Shahi Dam will be built this year at any cost. In Nangarhar, the Torkham-Jalalabad road and the Kidney Hospital will start work from four points simultaneously. In Kunar, the project equivalent to TAPI is CASA. CASA will be in the mindset of all Afghans next year. It is the transmission of electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan through your land. The dams of Kunar will be built with this money.

My vision is that all parts of the Kabul River be transformed into centers for the production of electricity. Technical advisors previously advised that Afghanistan should import for five years, then produce. I have overturned this. Now we go for production. Every province that lacks electricity today will receive it through the blessing of the Sun. For hydroelectric power, 26 dams are under consideration. The waters of Afghanistan will be protected; Afghans must be prospered by the waters of Afghanistan.

Economic Transformation and Agriculture

A Mevlevi told me: "What kind of agricultural country is it where wheat arrives in Asad and disappears in Saratan?" He speaks the truth. We still import 800,000 tons of wheat. We have $4 billion in agricultural imports annually. This is "idiot money" (ahmaq poli). My management is to change Afghanistan from an importing country to an exporting one. First is water management; 40% of water currently doesn't reach the fields.

Regarding roads, all projects have been gathered; in the next two months, they will either be implemented or the contracts canceled. Any Minister who does not implement their contracts will be removed. We are rebuilding our labor force. The Engineering Battalion of the Ministry of Defense is being strengthened to work where contractors refuse to go. I want the Provincial Councils and the people to have popular oversight (wulusi nazarat)—oversight that leads to results, not interference.

The War on Land Grabbing and Corruption

Specifically for Nangarhar, I have given direction to the Police Chief, Mr. Shirzad. I have no tolerance for land grabbing. Take the list of all the usurpers of the Canal; I want an order of summons from the court for all of them. I do not accept it, I do not accept it, I do not accept it! The people of Nangarhar do not accept usurpers, and if the people don't accept them, the President doesn't accept them. Minister Waziri, if the police force is insufficient, order the Army to shoot.

There is a contract between me and Mr. Khaksar [2]. He tells me District Governors are still chosen by "lottery"; we will bring transformation! We must move from a Consuming Society to a Producing Society. If you want to remove poverty, it doesn't happen with foreign aid; it happens through movement. Look at Turkey 15 years ago—they moved! I want to sit with investors. Our minerals must stop being a source of trouble and start being a source of beauty.

Regarding schools and mosques: 99% of mosques were built by the people. We need a similar passion for schools. One criterion for a Governor's success will be how many schools they have built with the people's participation. Enough with corruption! Do not steal from your own children’s future. A school that should cost $10k was not built even for $100k because of corruption.

Peace, Unity, and the Final Word

Peace is our goal, but it will not be at the price of the rights of our women and sisters. The independence of Afghanistan and the Constitution are not negotiable. The children of Afghanistan say they are the Doves of Peace. Let the doves come, not gunfire! We make peace on principles. We want sustainable, honorable, and lasting peace.

The Hindus and Sikhs of Nangarhar are also here. I welcome you from the bottom of my heart; you are authentic Afghans. You have served and built this country. The country belongs to everyone. Thank you to the Kuchi nomads, the youth, the Ulema, and the tribal elders.

Daesh (ISIS) has no place in our land; we want their death. Other than your President, who else in the world first said that Daesh is a danger? It is a matter of our honor and religion. Operations and bombings will continue against them. I thank you most because you are standing firm and the people are present. The government is the tree and the people are the root. No matter how tall the tree becomes, it should not be proud, because if its root dries up, that tall tree will fall.

When you recommend to me, I accept it wholeheartedly! But a time comes when the work of the government must be known; tell me then as well. I am against the usurpers; if I do not use force, they cannot be restrained by mercy.

Thank you, may your homes be prosperous. Long live Afghanistan!

Endnotes:

1. Salim Khan Kunduzi, Governor of Nangarhar.

2. Zubair Khaksar, a Nangarhar-based journalist and cultural activist.

3. Lal Pacha Azmon, Advisor to the President on Scientific and Academic Affairs.

4. The process of transitioning military authority from foreign forces to Afghan forces, led by then-Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

5. It is the President's habit to greet every participant of the meeting individually.