Ghani rules out privatisation of war, plunder of resources

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has ruled out the privatisation of the war in Afghanistan, promising the exploitation of mines -- belonging to the people -- will never be allowed in the interest of outsiders.

The president made the remarks during his address to youth, civil society activists and media professionals in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province.

While congratulating educators on Teachers’ Day, the president said construction of affordable housing units for them was underway. This need of teachers would be met soon, he assured.

Ghani said gatherings of youth had been a successful exercise. In the near future, a massive gathering of youth would be held at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, he announced.

Youth constituted a majority of Afghanistan’s population, he noted, remarking the future belonged to them. Economic prosperity and political activism also belonged to the youth, he continued.

Slamming corruption as a sinister conspiracy, the president acknowledged some official did not provide him correct information on the issue.

The Hairatan Port would be expanded after the completion of a survey, saying more industrial parks would be constructed for businesspeople.

Ghani made it crystal clear that the war in Afghanistan would never be privatised and the natural resources of the country belonged to the people.

Business centres would be created at universities and no tax would be imposed on them, the president said, adding Balkh would become a corridor for the export of Afghan products.

He said investment in the textile sector was ongoing. In future, uniform and other equipment for the security forces would be manufactured locally.

nh/mud