Speech of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund at Communications and Information Technology Exhibition
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
The Honorable Deputy PM for Administrative Affairs, esteemed Cabinet Ministers, distinguished representatives of foreign countries, officials of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, members of the media, and all respected guests:
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
I pray that you are all in good health and well-being.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the recent seasonal rains and floods across different parts of our beloved country, particularly in Nuristan Province, where many people have suffered significant human and financial losses. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant the martyrs the highest ranks in Paradise and to bless the injured with a swift and complete recovery.
Distinguished participants,
Today is indeed a joyous occasion, as Afghanistan is hosting, for the first time, a major exhibition dedicated to the fields of technology and communications. I warmly congratulate all our fellow citizens on this important milestone and sincerely thank the respected officials of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for making this significant event possible.
It is an undeniable reality that, in today's world, technological advancement and modern communication systems rank among the foremost priorities of nations. The contemporary world continues to foster competition and progress through advanced technologies.
Keeping pace with the demands of the modern era by advancing the technology and communications sector is one of our greatest responsibilities. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to gradually utilizing its existing capacities to become increasingly competitive with the countries of the region and the wider world in this field.
Owing to its strategic geographical location, our beloved country has the potential to play a vital role as a regional connectivity hub and can serve as a bridge linking South Asia with Central Asia in the field of data transit.
Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regained power, considerable progress has been achieved in the communications and technology sector. We have made notable advancements in digital governance. Only a few weeks ago, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology began implementing an official document management system for government institutions, which will simplify administrative procedures and save valuable time.
Likewise, an unprecedented initiative has been launched to simplify complex administrative procedures, making lengthy document-processing procedures significantly easier, Insha'Allah.
Moreover, regions of the country that had remained underserved for many years have now been brought under telecommunications coverage. This has not only addressed the challenges faced by our dear citizens but has also enhanced governance and administrative oversight. We are confident that progress in this area will continue at an even faster pace and according to higher standards.
Today, as you can see, various technology-related products and equipment are being showcased across numerous exhibition booths to demonstrate the capabilities of Afghanistan's technology industry. This marks the first time such a significant step has been taken to promote and strengthen the culture of technology in the country.
Dear fellow citizens and young students,
Like other sectors, technology is one of the most important and fundamental fields. It ensures transparency in operations, proper revenue management, efficient use of time, simplified procedures, and the reduction of errors in administrative affairs.
Although today's world may speak with gentle words, many hearts remain as hard as stone. If we aspire to stand on equal footing with other nations—or even surpass them—we have no alternative but to embrace advanced technology in every aspect of life. This responsibility rests upon all of us, both religiously and morally, to ensure that we, too, become competitive with the rest of the world.
Today's exhibition is an important step toward nurturing the talents of Afghan youth, supporting their innovations, and creating opportunities for the country's emerging generation of innovators through technical programs. I hope that, through such exhibitions, cooperation among the Islamic Emirate, the private sector, academic institutions, and innovative young people will continue to grow, enabling our beloved country to make even greater progress in technology and digital transformation.
Dear compatriots,
We understand your hardships and the suffering caused by challenges such as unemployment. We are making every effort, using all available resources, to address the problem of unemployment. Nevertheless, many obstacles continue to limit our activities and hinder our progress.
Even so, we have not remained idle. We are striving, through every legitimate means available, to ensure that you enjoy a peaceful, prosperous, and dignified life. To this end, and in pursuit of the country's development and self-reliance, Alhamdulillah, major infrastructure and economic projects are currently underway across the country. We have introduced tax reductions and exemptions to facilitate private sector activities. Our trade relations with countries in the region continue to strengthen day by day, and, overall, serious and concrete measures are being taken to promote the country's economic growth.
In conclusion, I once again express my sincere appreciation to the respected leadership and technical staff of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. I also strongly urge them to continue giving even greater attention to this important sector.
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all.