ISLAMABAD 

The Afghan interim administration unveiled a five-year “Development Strategy” on Tuesday to create job opportunities and boost balanced development, said a top official.

Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strategy was built around “three core pillars,” including good governance, international relations and security and public order.

“It encompasses ten sectors: economy and agriculture; natural resources and energy, housing and social cohesion; transport and communications; education (both religious and contemporary) and cultural affairs; health; social protection; and environmental conservation,” he said.

It is the first time in four years since its return to power that the Taliban, which identifies itself as the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, has revealed a longer-term plan for the development of the war-torn nation.

Mujahid outlined 15 priority programs, including implementing Sharia law and ensuring Islamic justice to enhancing governance, transparency, regional cooperation and border security.

Other initiatives focus on expanding agriculture, energy supply, health care, education, transport infrastructure and telecommunications.

“I assure all citizens that the implementation of this long-term strategy will produce improved outcomes, and that the measures necessary to achieve the core objectives will be executed progressively within a well-structured and orderly framework,” he said.

The announcement came amid Afghanistan’s economic difficulties, as the US has kept $7 billion in Afghan assets frozen since the Taliban regained power in August 2021.

Afghanistan has $9 billion in foreign assets, with $7 billion in the US and the remainder concentrated in Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.

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