The central Administration of Afghan Statistics has said that Afghanistan had 4 percent decline in economic growth last year in its latest report. Its chief Mr. Sher Mohammad Jami Zada told to journalists that the reason was lower domestic productions. He said that last year, the economic growth was 10.9 percent in year 91 but last year it was just 6.3 percent which shows over 4 percent decline.
Meanwhile the figure still is not bad but it is not clear whether the source considered the population growth also or not. Because the annual growth of population is also very high and it can be felt from the pressure on cities. Only during past ten years, the population growth of cities has almost doubled. Though the major reason behind such visible rise of population is the return of refugees from neighboring countries and rapid process of urbanization but overall population growth has been also visible. Thus, if the population is over 6 percent then we have a negative economic growth.
Last year a girl was shot dead perhaps when she tried to scream, asking help of neighbors but thieves entered her house. Unfortunately she could not make it and lost her life. It is one of the few accidents as criminal groups have spiraled up. The reason behind is said to be high level of unemployment and declining economic condition of people.
On the other side, Afghan officials who really have no idea about how economy is actually working time and again make decisions which affect the country in the long term. The international community would not support generously unless serious steps are taken to cope with high level of corruption. Kabul instead of resolving the problem and fighting corruption started blaming foreign countries for being an integral part of the corruption.
Similarly, presently the country faces the possibility of being cut off from the international financial system because it has failed to pass the anti-money-laundering law. Though the chiefs of some banks conducted meeting with President Karzai but reportedly he is not ready to sign the law. He puts the measure part of the larger measure of the US and its allies to put his government under pressure.
Certainly it cannot be run on antagonisms. Differences do not mean enmity. Hopefully, the next president considers the issue and manages the broader issues well instead of being entangled in propaganda theory.