Wakhan road to China opens; govt stresses economic development, security — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Wakhan road in Badakhshan, linking Afghanistan with China, was inaugurated today (Sunday). Officials called the project an important economic step, while the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development stressed continued reconstruction and development and warned of serious action against any “rebellion” against the system. The road is 121 kilometers long, stretching from Broghil to the zero point on the Chinese border. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MoRRD) said the Wakhan road was built in two phases at a total cost of 365 million afghanis. The inauguration ceremony was held today in the presence of officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). Mullah Abdul Latif Mansour, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, stressed the continuation of Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development efforts at the ceremony. Referring to improved security and administrative procedures, he said conditions for rebuilding the country had been created and that the opportunity should be used. He added that government officials, including ministers and governors, were not contractors for development projects. Mansour also warned opponents of the government, saying that Afghans do not consider anyone’s blood lawful and have always taken revenge for the blood of their people. He said that, under the current circumstances, the IEA was focusing on building the government, reconstruction and development rather than conflict and war. According to…