The state press office informed Bakhtar Information Agency that in the meeting Esteemed Karzai talked about the current changes in the social and economical life of Afghanistan. Esteemed Karzai said: The reconstruction process of Afghanistan is the top priority of the government. Our programmes include the implementation of the foundational projects to empower the basis of our national economy. The assistance and cooperation of the international community and the allied countries paves the way for the achievement of the national desires of the brave Afghan nation. We consider the assistance of our companions to be beneficial and precious. The projects of Agha Khan in rebuilding the ruined and destroyed country and the establishment of society play an exclusive role.
Esteemed Karzai said: Yesterday we witnessed a project that completed by the assistance of Aga Khan and became ready to serve the people. The project of constructing a bridge over the Panj river will not only link up Tajikistan and Afghanistan, but also it will enhance the possibilities of transporting goods and assistance from Central Asia to Afghanistan. Our people welcome the broadening of such projects by the assistance of our companions.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV expressed his gratitude at meeting Esteemed Karzai and praised the achievements of the Afghan people under the supervision of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan in a short time, and pledged to start several projects to meet the requirements of the people.
It should be mentioned that Aga Khan is assisting in projects of civil aviation, telecommunications and hotels. The meeting was also participated in by the esteemed deputy head of state Hedayat Amin Arsala and the Minister of Finance Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.
Source: Radio Afghanistan, Kabul, in Pashto 1430 gmt 3 Nov 02
BBC Monitoring