Panjshir Province serves as model for Afghan success

Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, deputy commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-82, cuts a ribbon at the groundbreaking of a new public works building in Panjsher Province March 27. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Timothy Dinneen)  

03.28.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

Story and photos by Sgt. Timothy Dinneen
Regional Command-East Public Affairs

PANJSHIR, Afghanistan - The tomb of Shaeed Ahmad Shah Masood, "The Lion of Panjshir," stands on a hilltop overlooking the mountainous river valley he dedicated his life protecting against Soviet invasions and Taliban assaults. Although assassinated by Al Qaeda days prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, his legacy of peace and progress for free Afghans endures through progress by Panjsheeris. This progress serves as a model for the whole of Afghanistan.

Panjshir Province is a model of success because of the strength shown by the people living within the valley. Panjsheeris are providing the muscle behind security, cultivating a fertile environment for construction projects and humanitarian-aid assistance, according to Maj. Clifford White, deputy provincial reconstruction team commander, Panjshir PRT.

"We live in one of the best neighborhood watches on the planet," said White. "They do more than guard houses, when we go on missions, they come with us. The security details are from all six districts so they know the people and the terrain. When we have problems, they handle it Afghan against Afghan."

Panjshir has only been recognized as a province since 2004, and they have completed a micro hydro plant for electricity generation, new roads for commerce, bridges, wells, schools and a radio station to connect the remote valley to the rest of the country.

Furthermore, Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-82, arrived March 27 for the groundbreaking of a new public works building.

"The [Afghan] New Year provides a great opportunity to focus on the future of reconstruction and not a future of war," said Votel. "Public works will play a key part in the future of Panjshir sustaining a self-sufficient province. Education and agriculture are also important, but without public works children cannot attend school, adults can't get to work and produce won't reach the market."

Votel acknowledged the positive security situation in Panjshir has made reconstruction possible.

"Cooperative security here is a model for the rest of Afghanistan and hopefully the reconstruction will also serve as a model," Votel said. "It is a step-by-step process and today is a big step."

The public works building will help with road clearing, water purification, landscaping and waste management; many of the small things a community needs in order for the bigger projects to get underway.

"This is a nice, secure province because the people won't allow the Taliban here," said Saddeem, a local student. "People are generally happy with the American presence because they recognize they are helping."

White did concede there are some security issues within the Panjshir community, but at the end of the day they all recognize they must work together peacefully to succeed.

"There are a number of factions that disagree, however, as Governor Balu said, 'Panjshir is like an open hand with it's fingers arguing, however when outside forces try and take something from the valley or impose its will the hand closes and becomes a fist,'" White said.

According to the latest Panjshir PRT census, Panjshir Province has more than 300,000 inhabitants with new villages being discovered when exploring around the mountainous bends. It is a mono-ethnic area dominated by the Tajik tribe that is predominately Sunni.

White said even though society is conservative, education for both girls and boys are important to Panjsheeris.

"There are 55,000 school age children and 80 percent attend school everyday," White said. "Of those 80 percent, 35 percent are female."

Panjshir Province Deputy Gov. Kabini said the people of his province are growing more optimistic from the way their eyes and faces look and he said the people are becoming more informed and connected to their government through their new radio station.

"We will not accept Al Qaeda in any form of this government because they killed our national hero and attacked the U.S.," said Kabini. "These tragedies bind us together against Al Qaeda."

Masood was the leader of the Northern Alliance and a hero to many Afghans because he was able to defeat the Soviets accounting for more than 50 percent of their casualties, according to White. In addition, he kept the Taliban at bay while they controlled 90 percent of the country.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2007
• Date Posted: 03.28.2007 07:40
• Story ID: 9641