Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Islamic Emirate, says sports and recreation are among human needs and that people should make time for them, whether they are involved in politics or education.

He made the remarks on Sunday while attending matches of the Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) at the Afghanistan Football Federation stadium in Kabul. He described the participation of foreign players in the competition as an important step forward for Afghan football.

“Whether a person is engaged in education or politics, they need to make time for sports and recreation. For us, this was also a very enjoyable atmosphere and experience,” Haqqani said.

He added that he is passionate about football and volleyball, has professional knowledge of football, and continues to practise volleyball. He also said he had experience playing and training in cricket.

Haqqani said Afghanistan has the capacity to grow in various sectors and would not face problems similar to those experienced during the presence of the Soviet Union and the United States in the country.

“Afghanistan has the capacity to make progress in every field and compete with other nations in every sector,” he said.

The Ministry of Public Works of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has launched a 40 million afghani (AFN) project to rehabilitate 45 kilometres of the main road in Panjshir province, aiming to improve road conditions and facilitate safer travel.

The project was officially inaugurated in the presence of Panjshir Governor Mohammad Agha Hakim, provincial Public Works Director Mohammad Fahim Muwahid, local officials and tribal elders.

The rehabilitation work begins in the Dalan Sang area of Shutul district and extends to Doabi in Baharak Bazaarak. It includes repairing and patching the road surface, constructing gabion retaining walls, building culverts and roadside drainage channels, as well as other related works.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, the project has been contracted to the private sector. Its implementation is expected to prevent further deterioration of the road and ease transportation difficulties for residents.

“In Afghanistan, we will continue dialogue with the de facto authorities on the rights of women and girls to education and work, based on Islamic values, and support the humanitarian and economic needs of the Afghan people,” he said addressing the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad, Iraq.

At the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said the situation in Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia was challenging and should be at the top of the meeting’s agenda.