First Deputy of the Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, called on the government institu-tions to present their plans to tackle the economic meltdown and root out poverty in the country.
Speaking to a conference in Kabul today, Mullah Baradar accused the previous governments of cor-ruption, saying that the funds for Afghanistan over the last 20 years “poured into the pockets” of certain individuals, so the country is not self-sufficient.
“I instruct the officials of all ministries and depart-ments to share their short- and long-term plans for economic development with us,” he said.
Mullah Baradar promised that the Islamic Emirate will take significant steps to address the current crisis in the country.
“This is the responsibility of all of us–to work for economic progress. We should do something to reduce the level of poverty and provide work oppor-tunities for the people in the country,” he said.
He also emphasized that a safe environment will pave the way for investment inside Afghanistan.
The Second Deputy of Prime Minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi, said administrative corruption in the gov-ernment departments has been eradicated.
“We support the private sectors to improve the economy in Afghanistan and to attract investors to invest in various fields in the country,” he said. Afghanistan’s national revenue is estimated around 5 billion dollars. The first deputy of the PM said that almost 50 percent of the revenue was previously being embezzled due to widespread corruption.—TOLO
