Speech by His Excellency Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund at the ceremony marking the commencement and handover of nine major electricity transmission and distribution projects in Herat

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

Respected Governor of Herat Province, esteemed officials of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, representatives of various Emirate institutions, respected representatives of the private sector, Mujahideen, media representatives, distinguished guests, and all attendees:
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.

I am pleased to participate today in Herat Province in the inauguration ceremony of five major electricity generation projects.

First of all, on the occasion of the inauguration of these important projects, I extend my congratulations to all dear compatriots.

Electricity is a fundamental requirement for comprehensive development in the modern era. The Islamic Emirate has viewed this requirement from a strategic perspective; therefore, within a short period, we are witnessing the inauguration of numerous projects.

Esteemed attendees;

These projects include the construction of the Pul-e-Hashmi substation with a capacity of 80 MVA in Herat Province at an approximate cost of forty million US dollars; the construction of a new substation with a capacity of 126 MVA adjacent to the existing 24 Hooth substation; line expansion at the Noor-ul-Jihad substation; and the extension of a 220-kilovolt transmission line over a length of 78 kilometers from Noor-ul-Jihad substation to Pul-e-Hashmi substation, and from Pul-e-Hashmi substation to the 24 Hooth substation.

The implementation of these projects will be completed within approximately two years, and their financing responsibility rests with Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat.

I will not elaborate extensively on the technical aspects of these important projects; the relevant officials will provide detailed information. However, I would like to state that such electricity generation projects are a very serious requirement for Afghanistan’s industrial and economic growth. Alhamdullilah, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has taken major and noteworthy steps in this sector within a very short period.

With the completion of these projects, 24-hour electricity will be provided to industrialists and all industrial parks in Herat Province. Commercial centers, rural areas, and residential areas will also benefit from electricity.

Hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created, the standard of living of the people will improve, national revenue will increase, and overall these projects will play a significant role in the country’s economic growth.

Imported electricity has challenges and leads to the outflow of foreign currency. Therefore, with the completion of these projects, stable domestic electricity will be provided, and we will be freed from dependence on others, insh’allah.

From this platform, I inform all industrialists who invest in the construction of cold storage facilities that, on one hand, a five-year tax exemption will be granted, and on the other hand, DABS is obligated to connect and supply electricity to you under all circumstances. Domestic and foreign investors can make good use of this golden opportunity.

Esteemed attendees;

Since Afghanistan has long relied on imported electricity and a large portion of our national budget is spent on imported electricity, such domestic electricity generation projects can gradually reduce our dependence on foreign countries’ electricity and, through optimal utilization of domestic resources, enable us to become self-sufficient in electricity.

Since the re-establishment of its governance, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has maintained a balanced and moderate policy with all countries of the world. Our entire focus is on Afghanistan’s economic growth, security stability, and good governance. The Islamic Emirate strives for Afghanistan to become an effective participant in regional and international cooperation as an important country in the region. Therefore, we call on the countries of the world to replace restrictive policies with engagement-based policies and to view Afghanistan’s current security stability as an important opportunity, so that together we may take concrete steps within the framework of the shared sustainable development goals of all countries.

The international community should abandon expectations of engaging with the Islamic Emirate on the basis of values; the forty-five years of suffering and sacrifice of Afghans were for the preservation of such values. They should understand the characteristics and temperament of the Afghan people and engage accordingly.

It is appropriate to express my gratitude to the respected officials of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat for taking significant steps in relation to these projects and for finalizing their technical aspects.

Finally, I strongly urge the contracting companies, engineers, and all involved parties to carry out all related works on time and in accordance with accepted standards.

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.