Taliban Govt Start Oil Extraction In Afghanistan
In a significant development, the Taliban-led Afghanistan government has commenced the extraction of oil from the Qashqari oilfield in Sar-e-Pul province, marking a shift towards utilizing internal resources. This move comes as part of the country’s efforts to develop its economy and reduce dependence on external factors. The inauguration ceremony of the wells saw the presence of senior Taliban officials, emphasizing the significance of this milestone.
Highlighting the importance of the country’s mines as an economic source, acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar expressed the need for Afghans to tap into the potential of these resources fully. The priority lies in employing technical and non-technical staff and utilizing the revenues generated from Sar-e-Pul for mine reconstruction. This approach aligns with the government’s vision of utilizing internal resources to drive Afghanistan’s development.
Mullah Mohammad Nadar Haqjo, the acting governor of Sar-e-Pul, emphasized the government’s commitment to completing the incompleted projects of the past two decades. This assurance demonstrates the Taliban’s dedication to advancing the country’s development and addressing the needs of its citizens.
Expansion Plans
The Qashqari basin houses 10 wells, with nine currently yielding around 200 tonnes of oil. However, officials have set their sights on significantly increasing extraction capacity to more than 1,000 tonnes. To support these endeavors, the Taliban signed an agreement with a Chinese company last year, initiating collaboration for oil extraction from Sar-e-Pul. Additionally, a 25-year deal has been established between the interim Afghan Taliban government and a Chinese firm for oil extraction from the Amu River basin and the development of an oil reserve in the northern region. The Chinese company plans to invest $150 million initially, with a total investment of $540 million within three years.
What do you think of this new move by the Taliban government for economic independence? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!