Afghanistan is a Top Improver with Record Reforms to Improve Business Climate

[Firdousi]

Doing Business Report: Afghanistan is a Top Improver with Record Reforms to Improve Business Climate

Not a huge fan of Ashraf Ghani but the guy is doing a great job when it comes to building a stronger and more resilient Afghan economy. On his watch several regional projects such as TAPI, CASA, Chabahar and Lapislazuli Corridor have been put on motion. Also key infraestructural projects such as Salma Dam, roads and railways have either been successfully done or about to be.

These are important steps toward a brighter future. The European Union started with small regional treaties such as Benelux. This might be the beginning of a new age of cooperation and regional integration.

Also keep in mind that most of these projects benefit non pashtun provinces so non Pashtuns can not really complain. Its true that Ghani is trying his best to sideline them but at the same time he is also doing stuff that benefits them.

[maneatinglizard]

Its true that Ghani is trying his best to sideline them but at the same time he is also doing stuff that benefits them.

Based on what? Ghani doesn't seem to me like a Pashtun nationalist. He tried to weaken Pashtuns like Abdul Raziq too.

I think he's trying to centralize power around himself, but some non-Pashtuns are using that to accuse him of being biased against them, when in reality it's not about them being Pashtun or not, but rather having power independent of him.

I'm not a fan of Ghani either, but he's never come across to me as the kind of guy who would favor Pashtuns over others.

[Firdousi]

Based on what? Ghani doesn't seem to me like a Pashtun nationalist. He tried to weaken Pashtuns like Abdul Raziq too.

I think he's trying to centralize power around himself, but some non-Pashtuns are using that to accuse him of being biased against them, when in reality it's not about them being Pashtun or not, but rather having power independent of him.

I'm not a fan of Ghani either, but he's never come across to me as the kind of guy who would favor Pashtuns over others.

Good points. But I do believe he is a bit nationalist. Karzai for example used to talk and bark a lot, but he was not a honest person. I believe Ghani is way more honest. I have never heard him make claims about Durrand Line nor he makes constant anti-Pakistani claims.

But there are some "things" I find fishy about him: first off he surrounds himself only with Pashtun people. Vast majority of his advisors belong to his ethnicity. Secondly he has tried his best to sideline non Pashtuns such as Atta, Dostum and even Abdullah. Although he made some attempts on Raziq he did not insist as much as he did with those guys. Also now that Raziq is dead he appointed his brother as his successor which makes me believe he did not really want to "topple" Raziq. And so on.

Still I believe Ghani is the less bad option for Afghanistan. He is way better than Karzai or Abdullah. Also his reforms are really making a positive impact for the country. I was against him when he got into office but now I support him to a degree. He is really trying. The only thing I dislike about him is how he is sidelining all power brokers which will eventually lead to instability and how hw surrounds himself with people from his own ethnicity but I guess no politician is perfect.