From Consumption to Production: Reforming Governance and Public Finance

(Speech at meeting with Cabinet members, parliament representatives, and governors)

Keypoints: 

• Budget Approval: First-ever parliamentary approval of the national budget.
• Legal Frameworks: Passage of essential laws for financial stability.
• Government-Province Balance: Contracts and plans to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Accountability & Transparency: Monitoring promises and obligations to the people.
• Economic Transformation: Moving from a consumption to a productive, export-oriented society.

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

Honorable Mr. Danesh, honorable Mr. Doctor [Abdullah], esteemed members of the Cabinet, respected representatives of the nation, honorable Senators, the Governors of Uruzgan, Paktika, Jowzjan, Paktia, Panjshir, Ghor, Zabul, and Kandahar, the Mustofi (Revenue Director) of Balkh, Mr. Siddiqi, Mr. Yama, and dear brothers and sisters: Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

First, I want to thank the representatives of the nation from the bottom of my heart.

My first thanks go to you because, for the first time since the inauguration of the Shura (Parliament), you have approved the budget through both the House of Elders and the House of Representatives. May your homes be prosperous. Because the budget is law, the new fiscal year is being implemented according to the law from its very first day, by the grace of God. I thank each and every one of you individually, and I express my gratitude to both houses collectively.

Secondly, you have passed the necessary laws required for the financial stability of Afghanistan. Once again, may your homes be prosperous; be well! Based on this action of yours, the ground has been prepared for us to attract medium-term aid for the future of Afghanistan at the Brussels Conference next October. Without the approval of these laws by you, the government's credibility regarding its ability to collect revenue and ensure transparency and efficiency would have been called into question.

Thirdly, I express my gratitude to the Senators and Representatives for their participation in the previous session we held with fourteen governors. It was a first-time experience, but I believe it was a very successful one. My thanks also go to the Ministry of State for Parliamentary Affairs and all colleagues; I hope you convey our gratitude and respect to them. You have built excellent relations—may your homes be prosperous, and may you live long and well!

What is our goal?

Our goal is to implement the fundamental balance between ministries and provinces, as directed by the Constitution—our "National Document." The goal of the Government of National Unity is to establish this balance fundamentally. To this end, written contracts have already been signed between 24 provinces and the security and service-delivery ministries. Tomorrow, after the Cabinet meeting, these contracts will be finalized with the remaining 10 provinces whose governors are present here today.

These contracts lay the foundation so that the government in general, and I specifically, can oversee the fulfillment of our promises. The fundamental point in the relationship between the great nation of Afghanistan and the state is that we are the servants of the people. Our promises must be implemented. "Credibility" is born from the implementation of promises. The nation of Afghanistan has given this government a "large loan." We are unable to repay this loan in a single installment; we are fulfilling it installment by installment.

At the same time, all governors have prepared their 100-day plans. Governors are carrying out the tasks that fall within their jurisdiction. I thank all the governors who have held 700 press conferences over the past few months. What we discussed this morning in the National Security Council meeting was that a clear direction of movement has been created. Continuing this movement and accelerating it is one of our major undertakings.

Another necessary point is that we must hear clearly from the representatives of the nation to ensure their views and directives are aligned with our practical programs. You are all aware of the available resources. Within the framework of these resources, our maximum effort is to create a proportionate balance across all corners of Afghanistan.

But at the same time, we are forced to reflect: next year we will face difficult decisions. The core issue is that Afghanistan cannot continue as a consumer society.

Afghanistan must transform from a productive society into an exporting society. Our demands far exceed our resources. While these demands are reasonable, if we do not provide the resources ourselves, these demands will not be met, and the "virtuous cycle of credibility" will not emerge. Therefore, it is essential that we understand clearly that we must make maximum use of the next two months leading up to the start of spring.

The governors and the Revenue Director will provide specific messages, and we will hear from the respected representatives of the nation and the Senators.

So, once again, I welcome you all to your own home. You have allowed us to host you for a few days; this home belongs to you. You are welcome every time. God willing, our discussion today will be interesting, practical, and focused on implementation.

Long live Afghanistan!