Insignificant development in Afghanistan industrial and agriculture sectors is the major factor behind Afghanistan high dependency on neighboring and closely located countries for importing basic necessities, luxurious goods and light to heavy machinery. Some of the products imported from these countries are those made from raw material from Afghanistan. Our government has failed to boost the industrial sectors by establishing more factories and providing the investors with better security, consistent electric power and proper infrastructure network. Meanwhile the agricultural sector too faces multifaceted problems.
No noteworthy development in the above areas has led to a high level of employment in the country and fears remain solid that the condition might worsen with withdrawal of tens of thousands of foreign troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year. The economy of Afghanistan is not creating adequate job opportunities to address the growing needs of masses. About 35% of its population is unemployed and 36% live below the national poverty line, suffering from shortages of housing, clean drinking water, and electricity. A big portion of those unemployed is formed by youths.
According to estimation, last year about 40,000 of Afghans were employed by NGOs, military bases and other foreign organizations. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force had about 800 military bases across Afghanistan. But it has been rapidly shutting them down in recent months, putting in peril an already fragile Afghan economy heavily dependent on international aid and military contracts. There are only about 100 coalition bases left.
If Afghanistan is failing to provide job opportunities at present, what will be its condition after 2014 when the international community will complete its troops’ withdrawal process and international fund will diminish?
Corruption and nepotism continues to remain high in the country discouraging is masses about their future. The Karzai administration has had no significant achievement in fight against corruption. Meanwhile, life of the people of Afghanistan remain greatly at risk due to deteriorating security condition. This causes thousands of Afghans to travel illegally to other countries of the world, mostly at the risk of their lives. Afghans form a big potion people who have applied for asylum in Europe and Australia. It is high time for the government to take some serious measures for improving living standard of the people by providing them with jobs and safer and more peaceful environment.