Baradar inaugurates construction of Palatuni Dam in Paktika
The dam will store 25 million cubic meters of water, irrigate 2,500 hectares of land, and generate 935 kilowatts of electricity. It will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of citizens, the Office of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs said in a statement.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, on Monday inaugurated the construction of Palatuni Dam in Paktika province.
The dam will store 25 million cubic meters of water, irrigate 2,500 hectares of land, and generate 935 kilowatts of electricity. It will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of citizens, the Office of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs said in a statement.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Baradar said that agriculture is crucial for a strong economy, and water is the most essential element for agricultural development. To achieve this goal, the Islamic Emirate has prioritized water management and called on investors to invest in this sector, he said.
He added that the Islamic Emirate is determined to manage natural resources, alongside other sectors, for the country’s self-sufficiency and socio-economic development.
Baradar mentioned that opportunities have been created for both domestic and foreign investors to invest in this area. He further stated that the Islamic Emirate has assessed large and medium-sized dams across the country that were either incomplete or had not yet begun.
Deputy PM stated that this project, supported financially by the Islamic Emirate and implemented by the National Development Corporation, is expected to be completed in two and a half years.
A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck parts of Afghanistan on Friday night, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicenter was reported in Jurm district of Badakhshan province, with a depth of 186 kilometers.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported.
Due to the destruction of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a statement by the IRGC.
This marks the second time Iran claimed it shot down a US F-35 amid the ongoing escalation since Feb. 28.
The US has not responded to the report as yet.
Iran had previously announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.
Tehran also claimed on Thursday to have downed an Israeli F-16 jet.
Tensions in the region have remained high following a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Iranian sources say the strikes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths, including senior leadership figures.
In response, Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The ongoing exchanges have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to regional air traffic and global markets.
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