Date of Release: 18 January 2007 - H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, returned to Kabul yesterday evening after his visit to the province of Khost where he addressed a huge gathering of community elders and visited the Jamae mosque, Khost University and the headquarters of the Afghan national army.
During this visit, the President addressed a huge gathering of community elders from different districts of Khost province and said, “It is a pleasure to meet and talk with the people of the province of Khost. This province has mad great strides in its effort to achieve economic prosperity in the past five years.”
“I am well aware of the achievements of this province. We are proud of the people of Khost who have worked hard to rebuild their province.”
“The people of Khost want to educate their children in modern sciences. I hope the sons and daughters of this province will receive good education and serve the people of Afghanistan.”
“The enemies of Afghanistan do not like to see this province and Afghanistan enjoying peace and economic prosperity and therefore try to hamper its progress by carrying out terrorist and destructive activities. They must understand that the people of Khost will never waver in their determination to rebuild their province.”
The President expressed hope that this province will soon become the region’s largest commercial hub and said, “This province will have an industrial park, airport and transit facilities in the near future.”
The President assured the people of Khost that the Government will build a hospital and an airport in this province. Also, we will pave the roads in the city of Khost and provide electricity for the people.
The President praised the people’s decision not to cultivate poppy in their respective province. The President said, “Afghanistan is a land of Jirgas and it has settled major issues of national importance through holding Jirgas.”
“We want to stop terrorist activities and bombings with the help of the people. Therefore, I have set up the Preparation Commission for the Regional Peace and Prosperity Jirga, led by Pir Sayed Ahmad Gilani, to hold the peace Jirga with Pakistan.”
Addressing the gathering, Arsalah Jamal, Governor of the province of Khost and Deputy of the Provincial Council, talked and presented their proposals to the President.
The President visited the Jamae mosque in Khost city which has recently been built with the financial assistance of the United Arab Emirates.
The President visited Khost University and addressed a huge of gathering of professors and students and said, “I hope the quality of education in this University will be an example for the region.”
“University is a place for learning; it is not a place for political activities and therefore you should concentrate on your studies and stay away from politics.”
The President thanked the United Arab Emirates for funding the construction of Khost University complex and named the University as “Khost’s Sheik Zaeed University.”
The President visited the headquarters of the Afghan national army in Khost province and inaugurated its Command and Control Center. The President hoisted the flag of Afghanistan at this base.
The President visited different sections of this headquarters, addressed its soldiers and officers and said, “Youth like you have always protected the territorial integrity of this country, and it is you who can ensure the freedom of the people of Afghanistan by shedding your blood. The international community is committed to the strengthening and equipping of the Afghan national army and police.”
The President enquired about the living conditions of the soldiers and officers, and had lunch with them.
The President was accompanied on trip by General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Minister of National Defence, Muhammad Azam Dadfar, Minister of Higher Education, Zalmay Rasoul, National Security Advisor, Ali Saeed Al Ghaithi, Charge De Affairs of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and a
Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan |
