Foreign aid to fade away if corruption not curtailed: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani during separate meetings in northern Balkh province has stressed that religious scholars, women, civil society activists and youth should become the voice of Afghanistan, the Presidential Palace said on Tuesday.

A statement from the palace said President Ghani during a day-long visit to Balkh province met with members of the provincial Ulema Council in Mazar-i-Sharif.

Representing religious scholars, Maulvi ZabihullahHaqjo shared ulema’s demands and suggestions concerning different matters.

He declared complete ulema support for the Islamic Republic and security forces and demanded construction of a library in the Roza Mosque and start of master degree education in Sharia and law at Balkh University.

The president hailed ulema’s view point and their support for Afghan security forces and Islamic Republic and thanked them.

Referring to government policies of constructing mosques in all districts, the president said over 1,000 mosques had been constructed or rehabilitated and pledged to take steps for the construction of a library in Roza Mosque.

The president also met civil society activists, media persons, women and youth. On the behalf of youth and women, Abdul HameedSafut and ShahlaHadid spoke and shared their suggestions with the president.

After hearing their suggestions, the president said it would be an honor to sacrifice his life in defense of the Republic, freedom and values of Afghanistan, and “no force can force me to leave my homeland.”

The president demanded introduction of more reforms and stressed the need that ulema, civil society activists and youth should become voice of Afghanistan.

He said reformation in government was crucial and warned that continuation of corruption will lead to a halt of foreign assistance.

A number of displaced persons also spoke with the president and shared their concerns.

State Minister for Natural Disaster Management said that in line with Cabinet decision out-reach to internally displaced persons in 25 provinces had started and so far 1,079 displaced persons had been provided with assistance.

Balkh governor and Provincial Council head were also present in the meeting and said that provincial refugees and natural disaster management authority provided necessary aid to displaced persons in Balkh and more assistance would be provided. Efforts are on to ensure transparency and identification of deserving persons.

The president stressed that there is need to understand migration and displacement so that necessary assistance is provided to needy people.

Nh/ma