Don’t want Afghans to be aid-addicted: Muttaqi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Minister of Foreign Amir Khan Muttaqi says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) does not want Afghans to rely for a long time on foreign humanitarian aid.

The minister also underlined the caretaker government’s plan to implement major projects to help Afghanistan stand on its own feet.

Muttaqi said this at a meeting with members of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Financial and Administrative Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

It added Afghanistan’s representation at UN meetings, effectiveness of humanitarian aid and potential support for development projects came up for discussion.

Muttaqi said after decades of wars and instability in Afghanistan, the ground had been paved for the start of regional mega projects such as TAPI gas pipeline, CASA-1000, Trans-Afghan railroad and others.

He said the IEA did not want Afghans to stay dependent on humanitarian aid for a long time. The interim government wanted to implement big projects to boost Afghanistan’s economy.

Muttaqi stressed the importance of fostering the growth of medium-sized businesses, focussed on development schemes and providing alternative livelihoods for farmers.

Bachar Bong Abdullah, head of the committee, said the objective behind their visit was to evaluate activities of UNAMA and assess priorities of Afghans.

About significant positive developments like ensuring security and urban facilities in Afghanistan, committee member Amjad Qaid Ahmed Al-Kumim said he would visit other provinces as well to closely watch the situation in Afghanistan and present his suggestions to relevant authorities.

kk/mud