Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said Afghanistan’s development projects are increasingly being funded through the country’s own budget and designed around the needs of the Afghan people, rather than the interests of foreign countries.

Speaking at the inauguration of a ground transportation project in Kandahar, Mujahid said foreign countries had previously implemented development projects in Afghanistan primarily to advance their own interests.

“Development in the country will change the face of Afghanistan. All these projects are funded through Afghanistan’s own budget,” Mujahid said.

“Our projects are not dependent on any country or implemented at anyone’s request; they are based on the needs of Afghans,” he added.

Mawlawi Adam, Kandahar’s transport director, said the Ministry of Transport was carrying out a number of road management and infrastructure projects in the province, as it is doing in other parts of the country.

He said the ministry was committed to maintaining high standards and ensuring the quality of the work.

Local residents said major infrastructure projects were important for expanding employment opportunities, strengthening economic activity and helping reduce poverty.

The Islamic Emirate has increasingly presented infrastructure development as a key priority in its efforts to strengthen the domestic economy and reduce Afghanistan’s reliance on foreign assistance.

Officials have pointed to the Qosh Tepa Canal, construction and rehabilitation of the country’s ring road, and continued work on major regional projects such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project as examples of the country’s ongoing development efforts.

The Islamic Emirate has also emphasized regional connectivity and economic cooperation, arguing that major infrastructure projects can expand trade with neighboring countries, improve transportation and energy links, create jobs and contribute to a more self-reliant Afghan economy. (ILKHA)