Taliban Says 3,200 Social and Livelihood Projects Launched in 23 Provinces
The Taliban administration has announced the start of work on more than 3,200 social and livelihood projects in 23 provinces of Afghanistan, projects it says will be implemented at a cost of $87 million with World Bank funding. The programs were announced as officials described them as part of support for vulnerable families.
Abdul Latif Mansoor, acting minister of rural rehabilitation and development in the Taliban administration, said at a meeting in Panjshir on Friday that some neighbouring countries do not welcome Afghanistan’s progress and do not observe good-neighbourly principles in dealings with Kabul. Without naming any country, he added that the Taliban administration should not allow others to interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs.
Mansoor also called on critics of the administration not to, in his words, tarnish this “system”. He claimed that some people are based outside the country and that their activity is now focused only on social media.
According to Taliban officials, 127 of the announced projects, worth $5.066 million, will be implemented in Panjshir province. The projects are said to include the construction of roads, canals, bridges and culverts.
Asadullah Sinan, deputy governor of Panjshir, said providing facilities such as roads and electricity is the responsibility of the authorities. Mohammad Agha Hakim, the governor of Panjshir, also urged the implementing companies to complete the projects based on the set standards.
The Taliban administration’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development says these projects are being carried out within the framework of social and economic support programs for vulnerable families. The ministry is considered one of the key bodies in the rural projects sector and is usually responsible for small-scale infrastructure programmes in provinces and districts.
