Mohammad Humayoun Fazli, former head of the Administrative Office during Afghanistan’s republican government, has warned that the country’s political and ideological isolation could also lead to economic and technological isolation.
Fazli said: “Ideological isolation creates political isolation, and political isolation leads to economic and technological isolation.”
He stressed that Afghanistan must once again be physically and digitally connected with its neighboring countries and the wider world. In his view, the development of modern roads, railways, reliable electricity, telecommunications, widespread internet access, information infrastructure, digital public services, technology companies, and scientific research centers is essential for the country’s progress.
Fazli said the most important investment for Afghanistan’s future should be in its young people, and that both women and men should be given opportunities to participate in the fields of science, technology, and the economy.
Referring to Afghanistan’s situation in the 19th century, he said the country’s failure to become part of the railway network was not solely the result of decisions made by Afghan governments; geopolitical competition between British India and Tsarist Russia also played a role.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
