Foundation laid for the first phase of the township for returnees in Helmand

Yesterday, in the Washir district of Helmand province, near the Kandahar–Herat highway, the foundation stone was laid for the first phase of the township for returnees during a special ceremony.

Present at the ceremony were: the Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office and Head of the High Commission for Refugee Affairs, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi; Acting Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Al-Haj Mullah Hamdullah Noomani; Deputy Governor of Helmand, Al-Haj Mullah Mohammad Nabi Hamas; Police Chief, Al-Haj Mullah Aminullah Zubair; Deputy Head of Intelligence, Al-Haj Maulawi Masoomi; First Deputy of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Al-Haj Atta Mohammad Akhlaqi; Board members Haji Mohammad Rahim Amin and Haji Sher Agha Sadat; and officials from the departments of Urban Development and Housing, Refugees, Agriculture, Red Crescent, Industry and Commerce, and others. Also present were the Deputy Head of the Economy Department, Deputy District Governor and Police Chief of Gereshk, Intelligence Chief, Deputy of the Ulema Council, as well as several traders, industrialists, citizens, returnees, and Mujahideen.

This township is being built on 10,000 jeribs of land, and yesterday, the foundation stone was laid for its first phase, covering 5,000 jeribs.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor welcomed the guests, called the township an important step in reconstruction, thanked the elders, congratulated the returnees, and promised full cooperation.

The Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister stated that millions of Afghans migrated not for material benefit or business, but for the defense of religion, homeland, and values.

He added that now, with the sacrifices of the people and the blessing of Allah, an independent Islamic system rules the country. The leadership and officials are working to provide facilities in the areas of economy, education, health, and others.

He said that six committees of the High Commission provide urgent and essential services to returnees, and six others are working on reintegration, employment, permanent settlement, and housing.

He stated that all primary facilities are included in the township plan and will be distributed to eligible returnees.

The township, built on 10,000 jeribs of land in the Shorab desert near Washir district, includes in its first phase: 3 large mosques, 18 small mosques, 30 madrasas and schools, 8 clinics, 5 hospitals, markets, and other necessary facilities.

The Minister of Urban Development referred to the past four decades of Soviet invasion, civil war, and Western occupation, saying that Afghans have endured sacrifices, martyrdom, migration, and many hardships. Now is the time for people to breathe easily and live peacefully in their homeland.

He also explained the responsibilities of officials, the people, and returnees, and encouraged everyone to work together for building the country.

At the end, property documents were handed over to six returnees by the Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Urban Development, and the Deputy Governor of Helmand. The foundation stone was laid, and the ceremony concluded with a prayer.

Date: 1446/12/1
1404/3/8