Afghan progress in the third year of the plan

Foreword AFGHANISTAN'S progress in the field of national economy is following almost the same lines as her development in other spheres. After the opening of relations with the outside world, Afghan goods and commodities began to be introduced little by little into the markets of neighbouring countries; while the products of these countries, as well as those of European countries, began to flow into Afghanistan. These exchanges continued until the beginning of World War I. The end of the war and the subsequent change in Afghanistan's world status also brought about a change in her trade relationships. From then on determined steps were taken to establish direct trade relations with various countries, thereby laying the foundations of economic independence. The outbreak of civil strife in 1929 was a serious setback but in 1932, during the reign of King Mohammed Nadir Shah, the Government resolved on a new policy which they carried out assiduously. Since then trade and agriculture in Afghanistan have developed enormously, and trade relations have been established not only with neighbouring countries but also with countries in Europe, the Far East and elsewhere. At the same time use has been made of the natural resources at the country's disposal. Dams and canals have been constructed for the furtherance of agricultural expansion, and foreign agricultural machines imported to assist progress in farming. Industry too has been attentively fostered. Main highways were built, joining various towns and cities together, and making possible a quicker and easier flow of goods. At first the new Ministry of National Economy concerned itself with most of these activities and with co-ordinating the Government's efforts therein. Later, with the expansion of the Government's economic policy, most of these functions became the responsibility of a different organisation which brought about the creation of the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture, Mines and Industries. The Afghan National Bank and the Central Bank (Da Afghanistan Bank) also came into being at that time. Various trading companies were established and paper money came into existence, while trade deals and currency affairs were organised on modern lines. The banks opened branch offices in the provinces and in some foreign countries to facilitate commercial exchanges. A further result was the establishment of some new industries and the expansion of existing ones. Textile factories, woollen factories, hydro-electric power stations, a sugar refinery, the Lapidary and Joinery Co. and a fruit conserving company were established. The Second World War put a further obstacle in the way of the development of these and other progressive steps taken by the Government. As soon as it was over, however, the Government renewed its efforts and the capital of some companies and banks were partially directed into industry. As a result some big industrial organisations, such as the Gulbahar Textile Factory, the Sarobi Hydro-Electric Power Station, the Jabalussaraj Cement Factory and a Porcelain Factory came into being. It can now be anticipated that Afghanistan is well on her way to a bright future. 5

The importation of equipment and heavy machinery has increased the Government's need for foreign currency and made it necessary to secure help both internally and from larger States. The recently passed Foreign Capital Invest- ment Law invited fresh foreign capital into the country for use in various fields. In the field of mines the salt and lapis lazuli mines have been worked for many years. Coal is now being mined in Afghanistan. What has recently attracted the attention of the Ministry of Mines, however, is the search for oil, since experimental oil wells drilled in the northern parts of the country have proved the existence of substantial quantities of oil in Afghanistan. The Ministry has recently undertaken a general survey of the country's mines and the preparation of a geological charting of Afghanistan. Since its inception the Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken to extend forest land and encourage reafforestation; to foster improved breeds of cattle and domestic fowl; to prepare experimental farms and to bring in and introduce simple agricultural equipment and artificial fertilisers. It has also perse- veringly fought plant and animal diseases in all parts of the country. Various plants such as cotton, jute, flax, beets, etc., too have been introduced into different regions, thus furthering indus- trial development. The Helmand Valley Development Project is one of the greatest agricultural projects to date, for when it is completed around half a million jiribs (250,000 acres) of land in south-west Afghanistan, now barren, will come under cultivation; whereupon this part of the country will resume its historic importance. A considerable number of nomads have already settled in the Helmand Valley. The Ministry of Public Works, with a view to encouraging agriculture, trade and industry, has been responsible for the construction and repair of roads, dams and canals. Several modern river dams have been built, a result of the expansion of trade between Afghanistan and her northern neighbour, the Soviet Union. The same forward-moving trends can be seen in other means of communication. The number of wireless sets and tele- phones imported annually is going up, and to-day Afghanistan can contact practically any country in the world within a matter of minutes. The inauguration of the Afghan Ariana Air- lines was another important step forward in the transport of cargoes both human and material. Where east-west air traffic is concerned moreover, the country benefits from its unique position in the heart of Asia. The economy involved in the use of this short route has led the Government to approve the building of an international airport at Kandahar. When it is finished, this airport will be able to accept jet aircraft and serve a great purpose in international communi- cations. Through this and the Kabul Airport—also modern and nearing com- pletion—Afghanistan will be connected by air with all parts of the world. To-day there are a number of transport companies serving the nation and some new banks have been founded. The Agricultural and Cottage Industries Bank, the Commercial Bank and the Industrial Cassette are examples of these. The Government's Monopolies Depart- ment is another organisation which plays a significant part in the country's economic undertakings. By monopolising the import of sugar, petroleum and motor vehicles it has carefully organised their distribution and kept prices from soaring. To prevent a serious shortage of wheat and a rise in the cost of this most impor- tant crop, the Government has built two large, modern silos. These improvements 6

were largely brought about on an independent economy basis; however, as in most fields a balance was not kept, and as the Government wanted to regulate the use of its resources, it was decided to adopt a policy of guided economy. As a result successful economic co-ordination can be seen at work in the fields of agriculture, industry, construction, communications and transport, as well as in cultural and social affairs. This in turn has led to the Government's first Five Year Development Plan, which when completed will further strengthen the nation's economy. The total cost of the Plan amounts to 5,708,612,000 Afghanis. The average annual capital investment thus amounts to 1,141,722,400 Afghanis, which is eight per cent of the national income of 12½ billion Afghanis. Seventy-five per cent of the Development Plan's expenses are to be paid from the nation's own resources and the remaining 25 per cent will come from loans. The total amount of foreign currency needed for the Plan is 196 million dollars. The importance and preference of the various sections of the national economy can be seen from the following presentation of expenditure accounts: i. Agriculture and Irrigation: 2,294.3 million Afghanis. ii. Transport and Communications: 1,625.1 million Afghanis. iii. Industry: 727 million Afghanis. iv. Public Services: 652.7 million Afghanis. v. Mines: 242.7 million Afghanis. vi. Miscellaneous: 165.3 million Afghanis. The Government's total administrative and ordinary expenditure during the Five Year Plan will amount to 5,081.3 million Afghanis, which will bring the total figure for the nation's ordinary and developmental expenditure to 10,789.4 million Afghanis. The Plan, which is now entering its fourth year has undergone minor changes resulting from the country's needs and practical conclusions drawn during the first and second years. The overall effect, however, has been the growth of a new outlook towards the future. There is an altogether new and unprecedented desire throughout the nation for a change for the better. There are already concrete examples of this change, and the nation is working hard to see that there shall be more. Now that they know it is possible to rebuild their country, the Afghans are anxious to do so. The measures undertaken by their Government have their wholehearted support, while the material advantages resulting from these measures further increase their morale and their zeal for hard work. In the following pages we are presenting progress reports of activities in the various fields for the fiscal year which has just passed (1337-1338). This year coincides with the Third Year of the Afghan Five Year Plan (September, 1958-September, 1959). In a few cases the report only covers the first half of the Third Year of the Plan. It is hoped that by glancing through the following pages the reader may gain an impression of Afghanistan's development in various fields over the last fiscal year. Further enquiries on any of the subjects discussed here may be addressed to: The Information Bureau, Royal Afghan Embassy, 1, Kensington Church Court, London, W.8. Tel. : WES 6185. 7

A view of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in winter, showing the Habibiya High School in centre and the historic citadel of Bala Hissar on hill in right background

EDUCATION EDUCATION in Afghanistan underwent certain changes during the past twelve months, most of which concerned the gradual improvement of teaching programmes and development of educational departments. The advancement of these two objectives depends upon the training of teachers, improvement of laboratories and workshops, procurement of teaching materials, publication of textbooks and construction or renovation of school buildings. The first part of this report deals with these subjects. The second part of the report is devoted to the activities of non-educational institutions, while the third part concerns the activities of Kabul University. PART I EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (A) Changes in Teaching Programmes: 1-Primary Education: One of the objectives of elementary education during recent years has been to make the teaching programmes more functional and vital in character and to stimulate the innate skills of students aside from theoretical lessons. (i) Since the majority of the people of Afghanistan are farmers by trade, therefore agricultural activities have been strengthened in primary schools and the pupils readily take part in them. Agriculture has been added as a separate subject in the programme and a handbook entitled "Practical Agriculture" has been compiled for the guidance of students and teachers. (ii) Local handicrafts have also been added to the programme of primary education and the subject has been satisfactorily developed in most such schools. A delegation of Teachers with H.M. The King (centre) 9

One of the sessions of the High Council of Education (iii) Audio-visual aids to instruction have been increasingly utilised and educational films are being shown in all schools through a mobile cinema unit. II—Secondary Education: National languages, especially in the field of History of Literature, were being taught in different ways. This system has been revised and the programmes have been made on a unified and uniform pattern. In girls' schools greater attention has been paid to such vital subjects as housekeeping, child care, etc. Certain retrenchments have been carried in the programmes for mathematics and science but teachers have been authorised to use their discretion in selecting those units of the programmes for these subjects which, in their opinion, may have a more important bearing on the future duties of schoolgirls. III—Vocational Education: The teaching programmes of the Colleges for Religion, the Teachers' Training College in Kabul and the Finance Department of the College of Commerce have been revised in certain ways. New methods of teaching have been adopted and the Colleges for Religion have been improved with the advice of religious scholars with a view to bringing them up to par in modern as well as religious sciences. With the addition of General Science, Physics and Chemistry, and the subjects of Mathematics, History and Geography (which had been introduced in previous years) the programme for these Colleges has been modernised. Similarly Arabic is now being taught according to modern and improved methods and by qualified teachers. It is hoped that future scholars of these Colleges will be well trained not only in religious matters but also in modern sciences. The Teachers' Training Schools have, as in previous years, remained the focus of special attention. Certain reforms were carried out in these schools during the past twelve months. Their programmes were taken into consideration by local and foreign experts last year, with emphasis on the following points:— The teacher of the future should possess deep interest in his profession from the very beginning and no doubts and suspicions should be allowed to creep into his mind. His knowledge of scientific subjects should be more of a practical nature. The programmes for Physics and Chemistry were accordingly given a more functional character and laboratories were required to be improved. The Social Sciences were also taken into consideration and the programmes for History and Geography of Afghanistan underwent certain changes for the better. Arts and agriculture took on a more tangible form and came to be part of the lessons in all forms. A small farm for experimentation by students and an agricultural laboratory were established. 10

Vocational training became concentrated in three basic subjects—psychology, teaching methods and sociology. New programmes and methods of teaching are being implemented in experimental schools under the guidance of foreign and local experts. (B) Teachers : Our educational needs are not yet met in so far as the supply of teachers is concerned. This is especially so in view of the increase in the number of elementary schools which need more and more teachers. The training of school teachers, on the other hand, needs strict attention. In order to increase the knowledge of teachers and also to introduce them to new methods of teaching, training seminars are run every year during the annual vacations under the auspices of the Institute of Education. Such a workshop was also run for the benefit of women teachers of girls' elementary schools for the first time last year. Indeed the Government of Afghanistan places very great importance upon teachers and the teaching profession, as witnessed by the higher scale of pay permitted for them, and the arrangement that even though teachers work only half a day they receive a sort of special pay called "foodgrain allowance." Most important of all is the concession granted to teachers exempting them from military service. This concession is given provided he does not abandon his profession of teaching for a period of six years after he is due to be conscripted into the army. To elevate his position even further, and to impress upon the people the important rôle played by the teacher in society, the Government of Afghanistan has, under ordinance No. 1292/5058, set aside one day in the year as "Teachers' Day." It is a general holiday for all schools and students. This occasion was celebrated on the 3rd of Aqrab, corresponding to the 26th of October last year. The occasion was celebrated with great éclat in all parts of the country with special meetings, celebrations and other functions held in schools and educational institutions to acquaint the people with the place and position of teachers in society. In order to show its appreciation in a more tangible form of the great service being rendered by the teaching com- Schoolboys making full use of Kabul's Public Library 11

munity in all countries, especially those with rather undeveloped social systems and economic structures, the Ministry of Education awarded medals, in specially held ceremonies, to a number of teachers possessing long records of service and deserving such recognition. Also, in order to associate the top-ranking personality in the country with this event, special Royal Decrees drawing the attention of teachers towards the sanctity of their profession were issued to teachers in all parts of the country. A number of officials of the Ministry of Education and representatives of teachers were also invited by His Majesty the King on the day of the festival. Although the number of teachers increased during the past year, yet it is not enough to meet the full needs of our schools and, therefore, we still need foreign teachers, particu- larly for our secondary and vocational schools. The following Table shows the position:— Previous In- Present Particulars Number crease Number Primary school teachers 3,220 300 3,520 Secondary school teachers 782 38 820 Vocational school teachers 356 19 375 (C) Improvement of Laboratories and Workshops: In elementary schools, workshops for handicrafts were arranged in accordance with locally practised arts and trades: improvements were made, especially in hand-loom workshops; sets of tools for handicrafts were despatched to schools and modern laboratory equipment, com- prising apparatus for physics, chemistry and biology, were installed in secondary school laboratories. In so far as voca- tional education is concerned workshops for practical training were expanded and new tools and machines were installed. In the School of Mechanics at Kabul Dr. Popal, Minister of Education, gives Education award to Professor Betab the practical side of training has been developed and new machinery and tools have been imported from Germany and installed in its workshops. In the School of Mechanics at Khost a new diesel- generator was installed and lathes, drilling machines and a smithy have been set up for the benefit of students. The hum of machinery heard in this remote district augurs well for the technological success of the country. Workshops at the School of Mechanics in Kandahar have been fully equipped with machines and tools like those of technical schools in advanced countries. Equipment and instructors for this School have been provided by U.N.E.S.C.O. In the Afghan Institute of Technology a quantity of equipment for mechanical repairs, welding, a tin-smithy and the administrative office has been received from the United States I.C.A. Other equipment which had been ordered from the United States last year has also arrived and been installed at the Institute. In the School of Commerce the room for typewriting classes has been re- arranged and new machines provided. (D) Publications: The publications of the Ministry of Education consist of school textbooks, 12

handbooks and keys to textbooks, educational periodicals and magazines, and the Ministry also oversees the arrangement of libraries. (I) School textbooks : (a) Afghanistan is a bilingual country with Pushto and Persian as the languages. Both of these languages are taught in Afghan schools and, therefore, the teaching of languages demands special supervision. In order to accomplish this task, separate programmes of teaching these languages have been prepared and enforced in predominantly Pushto and Persian speaking areas of the country. Special textbooks have, similarly, to be compiled for this purpose. Advantage has been taken of foreign systems of language-teaching in the preparation and teaching of these languages. New Pushto and Persian books have also been compiled for courses of adult education. (b) Publication of books abroad : Because of other preoccupations and lack of facilities, the Ministry of Education thought it necessary to have a number of textbooks, stocks of which had been exhausted, reprinted in foreign countries. For this purpose an agreement was concluded with Franklin Publications Inc., in Teheran, under which 125 textbooks of various titles were to be printed. During the past twelve months one million copies of textbooks under 25 different titles were printed and brought to Afghanistan. These books were mainly for use in elementary schools. Another batch of nearly one million copies comprising 40 titles are now being printed. With the completion of the whole series of these books, Afghanistan's needs for textbooks will be fulfilled for a period of three years. Local printing presses have also printed certain books relating to different sections of education and still another number is being printed. (II) Aids to School Textbooks : Books printed for this purpose last year relate to the subjects of science, literature, history, philosophy, agriculture, sports and scouting. (III) Periodicals : Periodicals are being published by different university faculties and schools in their respective fields of instruction. The Ministry publishes a monthly A Woodwork Class at Khost Technical School 13

A new primary school at Panjsher, now nearly finished magazine entitled " IRFAN " as its official organ. (IV) Libraries: The Library of the Ministry of Educa- tion has been reorganised on modern lines and its catalogues and lists have been brought up-to-date; a number of new volumes on educational and specialised subjects were acquired for school libraries. (E) Buildings and Teaching Materials : Greater emphasis has been laid upon repairs to existing and construction of new buildings for elementary schools; ten such new buildings have been constructed. In secondary education the building of the oldest secondary school in the country is being reconstructed on modern lines in a part of New Kabul. A new building for girl students is also under construc- tion. In the field of vocational education the main success achieved during the year consisted of the completion of the buildings of the Afghan Institute of Technology and other technical schools situated in Kabul and the provinces. A large quantity of teaching materials was acquired in Japan and imported into Afghanistan during the year. In Afghanistan teaching materials are pro- vided free of charge to school children. Such equipment is generally purchased from abroad. Materials purchased abroad last year are expected to meet the needs of schools for a period of three years. (F) Expansion of Schools: Schools have been expanded according to the provisions of the Five-year Development Plan; it is done in two ways :- (i) By establishing new schools; and (ii) By increasing sections in schools. Generally new elementary schools alone have been established and few additions 14

A view of Istalif, a summer resort near Kabul, in the autumn

16 H.M. The King looking over the valley of Greater Pamir

to other categories of schools have been made; 27 regular and 175 village elementary schools were established during the past year. One of the main aims of elementary education is the combating of illiteracy. This campaign is carried on through courses of adult education. 20 new courses of adult education were launched last year. The High Council of Education also passed regulations promising cash compensation to all those persons who help in imparting literacy to illiterate adults. Primary education plays an important rôle in the implementation of the Community Development Project; this rôle is played through Community Schools. 144 of these schools were established in model villages last year and enthusiastically acclaimed by the people. The school building is also used as a place where villagers congregate to hear lectures on health and social and educational subjects. In the field of secondary education a middle school was raised to the level of a secondary school and three new middle schools were also established. The class-sections are also steadily increasing in number. The establishment of new school departments and their development are based on the Five-year Development Plan and have been successfully accomplished. In vocational education, too, certain new departments were established but no new schools were opened. Teachers' training schools in the provinces reached the second- or third-year stage and their hostels took on a more organised form. The schools of mechanics at Kandahar and Khost have made noteworthy progress during the past two years inasmuch as the third-year course is being launched this summer. Courses of bricklaying and carpentry launched in Farah some years ago have been brought together in the form of a middle school because of their success. Their syllabuses have been organised on the pattern of the School of Arts in Kabul. A Department of Weaving was added to the Arts School in Kabul. Until now its programme prepared students for life as an artisan. Early this year the second part of the programme, relating to the finer arts, came into being. A Department of Painting and Ceramics, on a comparatively higher level, was established. Ninth Class school graduates manifesting outstanding capacity in art were enrolled in this department. The Correspondence School, which had been scrapped a few years before, was reopened under the title of "Correspondence and Clerical School," so that the needs of the Ministry of Finance and other accounting departments could be met. (G) Extra-curricular Activities: Since all educational affairs in Afghanistan are conducted and financed by the State and all expenses for school and extra-curricular activities are also shouldered by it, therefore everything relating to it, whether undertaken by non-governmental organisations, persons or individuals, must be done through the proper departments of the Ministry of Education. Some of these activities include sports, the Boy Scouts' Association, exhibitions of art and paintings and knitted and embroidered articles (by girls' schools), etc. The Directorate-General of Sports of the Ministry of Education, in addition to assisting other departments of education in the preparation of sports programmes and procurement of sports equipment, also supervises the arrangement of sporting tournaments in every school and educational institution. The Directorate-General is directly concerned with raising the standard of sports in the country and, therefore, exerts a valuable influence upon 17

the physical improvement of Afghan youth. The Directorate-General has extended its activities during the past twelve months, as witnessed by the fact that sporting events and tournaments in central and provincial schools as well as inter-school contests were arranged on a larger scale and Afghan teams of sports-men were sent to such countries as Japan, Soviet Russia and the People's Republic of China. The Boy Scouts' Association, which was formed nearly three years ago, has been making steady progress under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the number of entrants, which at first was 400, has now greatly increased. The Boy Scouts are rendering valuable service in guiding other students and also assisting in maintaining order in schools. The Ministry of Education has been devoting more attention to exhibitions of student arts and crafts in recent years. This is done in order to stimulate a taste for the finer arts and crafts among boy and girl students. The number of articles put on display at these exhibitions has been growing. Last year many specimens of drawings, paintings, handicrafts (articles made of paper, cardboard, iron, wood, etc.) and knitted and tailored articles (by girls) were put on display, 100 of which were judged to be the best and awarded prizes. Since last year this exhibition, too, is held during the week in which the "Teachers' Day" is celebrated. This is done with the object of drawing public attention to the rôle played by the teacher and the school in their life. PART II SCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES Pushto Tolana (Pushto Academy): Pushto is the lingua-franca of the majority of the people of Afghanistan, but little research had been carried out in it. This task was at first taken up by a number of small associations entrusted with the task of collecting literary and scientific works in this language. The Pushto Academy was subsequently established in 1932, which is still occupied in the work of carrying on research in Pushto, its philology and literature. This Academy has provided a number of works on the vocabulary, grammar, history of literature and other literary works for readers. The greatest success of this Academy is the compilation of a Pushto Encyclopædia. The Academy took yet another step in enriching the Pushto language by undertaking the translation into Pushto of foreign books on science and general knowledge. The publications of the Academy total 17 volumes and booklets including an Encyclopædia of European languages. The Historical Society: The Society has continued its scientific research as before. It published a series of articles and books on Afghan history last year. Booklets on Afghan history during later centuries were also published by it. These booklets were published in the vernacular, but similar booklets directed at introducing Afghanistan to foreign readers were also compiled and published during the year. These include a booklet in English on Sino-Afghan relations and another one, in French, for foreign tourists wishing to visit historical places in the country. 18

The Aryana Encyclopædia Society : The compilation of an Afghan Encyclopædia continued during the year. About 180 pages of the 4th Volume had been printed when a terrible fire in the printing press not only destroyed the articles laboriously compiled for the 4th Volume but also destroyed the 18-year-long labours of its workers. The Society has resumed the task of compiling the encyclopædia and it is hoped that the 4th Volume will be completed by October. Other publications of the Society, aside from the main task of compiling an encyclopædia, include the 3rd Volume of the Geographical Encyclopædia of Afghanistan, which, too, is expected to be completed by October. Archæological Operations and Museology : Activities in these fields include the continuation of archæological excavations and the reorganisation of Kabul Museum on modern lines of museology. (1) Three different teams of archæolo- gists are continuing excavations in the various parts of the country. Their operations during the past year yielded good results. (a) Excavations at the site of a fire-temple in northern Afghanistan were continued by a joint Franco-Afghan team. The most spectacular discovery of the team during the year was the unearthing of 16 one- and six-line slabs of stone inscribed with Greek and Kushani writings. It is hoped that a deciphering of these inscriptions will throw light on the languages spoken in the country two thousand years ago. (b) Excavations on sites of the post-Islamic period at the historic town of Ghazni undertaken by Afghan and Italian archæologists, entered the second phase. These excavations are being made at a place situated near the tomb of Sultan Ibrahim of Ghazni. The construction of the palace is very interesting and one of the most important discoveries made to date is the unearthing of a statue of Shiva, which was perhaps brought from India. Two boxes of copper-silver lacquer-work, reflecting the highest taste in this kind of art, have also been unearthed. (c) Excavations at prehistoric sites near Mundigak, situated near Kandahar in south-western Afghanistan, begun by a Franco-Afghan team of archæologists, have now ended. Articles unearthed at this site include clay models of humans and animals, flint arrowheads and tools, pieces of iron, earthenware pots, etc. (2) In Kabul Museum itself the year was one of the busiest. A U.N.E.S.C.O. team headed by M. Gabus, Director of Neuchatel Museum, was invited to help Afghan museologists in the task of reorganising the Museum. They accomplished the following tasks in collaboration with their Afghan colleagues :— (i) A new plexiglass cabinet was installed for the preservation of museum pieces. (ii) Two model rooms for relics of the Islamic era and Bagram were arranged on modern lines. (iii) Illumination of the interior of the Museum was effected according to the needs of museology. (iv) A new room for prehistoric relics was also arranged in which the finest specimens of 5,000-year-old pieces are displayed. (v) A "Fundukistan Room" to house relics of the Buddhist period of 7 A.D. was also set up. (vi) A room for Graeco-Buddhist relics was also arranged. (viii) A new studio and darkroom for photography were also set up. A new law for the preservation of ancient relics was also passed. 19

The Ministry of Education's Part in the Rural Development Project: The Community Development Project holds an important place among the economic and social activities of the country. The object of such projects is the acquainting of rural populations with modern systems of agriculture, health and hygiene and economics. It is, therefore, apparent that the rôle of the Ministry of Education in the new life of the villager is a specially important one because it is its duty to inform the people, through proper education and training, of the needs and requirements of modern life. This task is being accomplished by U.N.E.S.C.O. experts and local and foreign instructors. The Ministry of Education deals with the following aspects of the project:- (1) The modern teacher should be acquainted with rural life so that he may be able to help in improving the economic and social life of the people. In order to achieve this purpose, students of the final year of Primary Teachers' Training School spend the last two months at the project, where they follow a course of training in community development, hygiene, agriculture, art, and adult and village education. This is supplemented by practical training on the spot. (2) The Ministry follows special systems of education and training in village schools in accordance with the development of the project. PART III ACTIVITIES OF KABUL UNIVERSITY New Establishments: (1) Faculty of Pharmacists (with 4-year term of study). (2) Faculty of Science for Women (4-year term of study). (3) Seminar on philology with special emphasis on Pushto. This seminar was inaugurated at the Faculty of Letters for a period of eight weeks under the supervision of two experienced foreign professors. The participants comprised Pushto teachers of the Faculty of Letters and secondary schools. (4) Post-graduate seminar in education (at the Institute of Education). The participants are teachers possessing university degrees and after spending a time in learning about teaching methods and success in examinations they are given the degree of M.A. (5) Seminar on scientific research. In this seminar scholars and experts of the Ministry of Education and Kabul University are considering the bases for research in education. It is convened once a week. (6) A series of lectures delivered by qualified scholars and authorities on various subjects employed in the various Ministries and Departments. (7) Invitations to certain famous foreign professors to deliver lectures for a brief period. Cultural Relations: (1) Admission into the International Atomic Organisation. A Russian pro- 20

The 8,000 ft. Valley of Bamyan, in the heart of the Hindukush mountains. In the centre of the cliff is one of the two gigantic statues of Buddha

The Bamyan Hotel, from which the splendid view on page 21 was taken 22

Dr. Popal appointing a new Scoutmaster fessor, Mr. G. Kwater, of Leningrad University, was provided by U.N.E.S.C.O. for the Faculty of Science last year. He was instrumental in reorganising the laboratories of the Faculty and then commenced the teaching of nuclear physics. The Afghan Atomic Commission was also established with his advice. This Commission was recognised by the International Atomic Organisation this spring. Two graduates of the Faculty of Science were sent to the Soviet Union for training in nuclear physics last year. They are carrying on their studies at Moscow University. Similarly, two others were sent on scholarships to the United States to observe activities in this field. These persons returned home a few months ago. (2) A team of scientists from the University of Illinois has come to Kabul to study and survey the educational position in Kabul University. The team consists of the Professors of Economics, Science and Technology. This team will remain in Kabul for a period of three months, at the end of which they will submit a report of their findings to the Kabul University authorities with the necessary recommendations for reforms. (3) A visit by the Rector of Kabul University to the United States of America for the purpose of studying educational institutions there. A number of other members of Kabul University also did the same. (4) A visit by university professors and scholars to Egypt. (5) Awards of scholarships to foreign students (Russian, American and Chinese). (6) A Chinese Cultural Delegation, consisting of six outstanding educationalists, poets and artists, visited Afghanistan some time ago. During their stay they saw educational institutions and historical places and met with prominent personalities in Afghanistan. Codes and Regulations : (1) Finalisation of the new Regulations for the Teaching Staff of Kabul University concerning their duties, promotion and emoluments. (2) Obligations of Afghan scholars and experts. This code fixes the obligations of those Afghan scholars and experts who have received their educational training partly or wholly, inside or outside Afghanistan, at State expense, or who have taken advantage of scholarships and fellowships awarded to Afghanistan by friendly countries and international organisations. Number of University Students : (i) Number of students in 1958, 1,295. (ii) Number of students in 1959, 1,505. (Increase during the year: 210— or 16.21%.) (iii) Number of students sent abroad, 48. (iv) Return home of students after graduation abroad, 22. 23

Buildings: Basic steps for a 50-year plan of construction for Kabul University were taken during the year. After surveys regarding the number of buildings, their requirements and educational functions, especially the detailed plans for the construction of the first six buildings to be constructed, the contract has been given with the assistance of the United States International Co-operation Administration to the Pacific Architects Inc. These plans are expected to be completed soon. PART IV FOREIGN RELATIONS The Ministry of Education maintains close and very cordial ties with international organisations and friendly countries. The United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation and friendly countries have consistently helped educational institutions in Afghanistan. This assistance has proved of great value in furthering the interests of education in our schools. Exchange of Cultural Missions: By promoting friendly co-operation and creating better understanding it has rendered a valuable service to the cause of international understanding. The United Nations Day, the World Health Day and the Red Crescent Day are celebrated according to elaborately prepared programmes in all schools in Afghanistan. We wish to say something here regarding the trend these relations took during the past year:— 1—Our relations with U.N.E.S.C.O.: (a) The U.N.E.S.C.O. General Conference was held in Paris in November, Girls from the Rabia Balkhi primary school 1958, in which an Afghan delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Education participated. (b) Under the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Participation Programme, U.N.E.S.C.O. has undertaken to:— (i) Continue its assistance to the School of Mechanics at Kandahar (in the form of three experts). (ii) Continue its assistance to the Community Development Project (in the form of three experts). (iii) Provide one Professor of Physics for Kabul University. (iv) Provide one expert on Public Administration. 24

(v) Provide one expert for the Printing Press of the Ministry of Education. (vi) Assistance for Kabul Museum in the form of three experts, namely, one chief of team, one expert on the restoration of ivory pieces, and one expert for the preparation of a Museum Catalogue. Another expert will also be procured for arranging the interior of the Museum and display of Museum pieces. An additional number of requests have been made by the National Commission earlier this year. It is hoped that these will receive favourable attention by U.N.E.S.C.O. during the years 1959-1960. The National Commission has been in constant contact with the U.N.E.S.C.O. Secretariat and has provided all possible information asked for by the different departments of U.N.E.S.C.O. U.N.E.S.C.O. Gift Coupons: U.N.E.S.C.O. has been issuing, since some time in the past, Gift Coupons, against which the recipient institutions in various countries can purchase equipment of an educational and cultural character. These coupons are in the form of Cash Vouchers convertible into dollars on demand anywhere in the world. Such coupons have been received from different institutions, schools and persons either by the Ministry of Education or allied institutions. The National Commission has been acting as a clearing agency for these after thanking the donors and acknowledging receipt of the Gift Coupons. The National Commission itself has utilised some of this money for setting up a model office. The total amount of money received by the National Commission in the form of U.N.E.S.C.O. Gift Coupons during the past and current years was $2,100. Six hundred and fifty dollars of this amount was presented to the Faculty of Science, Kabul University. 2—The World Health Organisation: This world organisation naturally has closer relations with the Ministry of Public Health than with the Ministry of Education, but even so it has been co-operating with the Ministry of Education in matters affecting the University of Kabul. For example, the term of service of the Professor of Pediatrics loaned to Kabul University ended at the end of last year, but the services of the Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine are being continued. W.H.O. has also continued its assistance in the field of training nurses. 3—Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations: United States International Co-operation Administration: The U.S. I.C.A. continued its assistance to the following projects:— (i) The School of Agriculture. (ii) The Afghan Institute of Technology. (iii) The Institute of Education and the Teaching of the English language. (iv) The Faculty of Engineering and Agriculture. (v) University Administration. Details of this assistance can be found in the reports of the Department of Vocational Education and Kabul University. An agreement concerning the construction of the buildings of Kabul University has also been concluded between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Works on the one side and the U.S. I.C.A. on the other. Under the terms of the agreement for University Administration, a five- or six-man team from one of the front-ranking American universities is to visit Afghanistan during the current year with the object of studying and recommending measures to be taken for the future development of the University of Kabul. 25

Chief of Primary Education attended the last Conference as Leader and Member of the Afghan Delegation respectively. Important decisions were taken at this Conference concerning the preparation and publication of Primary School pro- grammes and educational facilities in agricultural areas. Representatives of every Member State attending this Con- ference are required to submit a report of the educational progress in their countries during the past two years. Asia Foundation : The Asia Foundation is a non govern- mental organisation with its headquarters at San Francisco, in the United States of America. It has thirteen branches in different Asian countries. The Kabul Branch of the Foundation was opened in 1954 and since then it has assisted the Ministry of Education and a number of other Ministries. The Foundation provided two experts on Physical Educa- tion to the Ministry of Education last year; a microfilm-reader was also provided for the Library of the Faculties of Science, and Engineering and Agri- culture. Two thousand books were also presented by the Foundation to the University of Kabul. 5—Conferences and Seminars: In 1958 the Ministry of Education sent delegates to the following conferences, seminars and international gatherings:— (i) The International Conference on Education at Geneva. (ii) Seminar on Audio-Visual Aids to Instruction at New Delhi. (iii) Regional Seminar on the Develop- ment and Improvement of Education at New Delhi. (iv) Study of the Preparation of Text- books and Teaching Materials; Japan, Philippines, Thailand, India and Pakistan. Kindergarten children rehearsing for an exhibition 4—International Bureau of Educa- tion : The Ministry of Education has been in contact with this organisation during the past few years. The organisation en- deavours to disseminate information concerning education in different countries by carrying out a comparative study of the systems of education employed in various parts of the world. The I.B.E. convenes an international conference every year at which one or two educational subjects of importance are discussed and decisions are made. The Deputy Minister of Education and the 26

The Remains of the old Palace at Herat, focus of many historic incidents

The Maiwand Monument at Kandahar

6—Scholarships and Fellowships : Scholarships awarded by the United Nations and friendly countries have greatly helped Afghanistan in training technical and administrative personnel. Here are details of such awards :— TABLE SHOWING SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS DURING THE YEAR 1958 Award-making Agencies Recipient Ministry or Department Local I.C.A. U.N. Fed. Rep. of Germany France Eisenhower Fellowship Japan Iraq W.H.O. U.K. *I.M.F. Min. of Planning ... 1 — — — — — — — — — — Min. of Interior ... — 2 1 1 — — — — — — — Min. of Education ... — 8 — — 3 1 — — — — — Min. of Mines and Industries ... 3 — — 3 — 1 1 3 — — — Min. of Public Health ... — — — — — — — — 3 — — Min. of Agriculture ... — 2 2 2 — — — — — 1 — Min. of Public Works ... — 1 — — — — — — — — — Kabul University ... 1 23 — 2 1 — — — — — 1 Banking Organisations ... — 2 — — — — — — — — — Aryana Afghan Airlines ... — 12 — — — — — — — — — Helmand Valley Authority ... 3 — — — — — — — — — — Afghan Air Authority ... 2† — — — — — — — — — — TOTAL : 3 62 3 8 4 2 1 3 3 1 1 NOTES :—*The letters "I.M.F." denote "International Monetary Fund." †Local and India. 29

Technical Assistance for Technical Schools : Foreign technical assistance is received by schools from different sources. We give below the names of such sources and the nature and amount of assistance received during the past one year :— 1—U.N.E.S.C.O. : This world organisation has given valuable assistance to the School of Mechanics at Kandahar. The greater part of the foreign instructors, machines and tools for this school came from this organisation. The director and two instructors were engaged at U.N.E.S.C.O. expense in Germany. These persons are engaged in directing the instructional affairs of the school with the assistance of their Afghan counterparts. The work-shops and training imparted in this school can be favourably compared to that of progressive countries. 2—The United States International Co-operation Administration : Assistance given by this organisation is received through two teams sent by American universities :— (a) The Wyoming Team : This team co-operates with the Depart-ment of Vocational Education in matters relating to technological subjects and its activities are limited to technical and agricultural projects. This assistance takes the form of technical personnel, teaching materials, tools and implements for workshops and farms. Last year six experts were employed at the Afghan Institute of Technology and two at the School of Agriculture as teachers and advisers. They also assist in the task of training Afghan personnel. (b) The Columbia Team : Experts in this team help Afghan teachers at teachers' training schools; they also teach English in schools, but the greater part of their efforts is devoted to university education. 3—Technical Assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany : An agreement concerning technical A Chemistry Class at the Faculty of Medicine, Kabul University 30

Little girls and boys of the Kabul kindergarten perform a native dance in traditional Afghan national dress assistance was concluded between Afghanistan and the Federal Republic of Germany last year. Under the terms of this agreement the Government of the Federal Republic will devote greater attention to the development of our technical schools. Early in April this year the Government of the Federal Republic sent seven teachers for technical schools in Afghanistan as follows:— School of Mechanics in Kabul 4 persons. Arts School in Kabul ... 2 persons School of Mechanics in Kandahar ... 1 person In addition to these teachers, the Federal Government has promised a large quantity of machinery and equipment for these schools. This assistance by the Government of the Federal Republic forms a valuable contribution towards the completion of technical schools in Afghanistan. 4—Technical Assistance from France: A similar agreement on technical assistance was also concluded between Afghanistan and France during the same year. Under this agreement the Govern- ment of France has, together with other assistance to various Afghan organisa- tions, promised to co-operate with the Department of Vocational Education. This promise is expected to take practical shape in due course. 31

THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THE achievements of the Institute of Education in Kabul during the past year constitute the following: (i) Winter Courses. a. For men teachers: 250 teachers from the provinces participated in the course for grades 10-14. b. For women teachers: in this course 100 teachers took part. grade courses the subjects dealt with also included child growth. (ii) Educational Gatherings for head-teachers, inspectors and teachers from Kataghan, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kandahar, Farah, Girishk and the Helmand Valley. About 200 people altogether gathered for a conference where educational specialists were on hand for advice and consultation. Students of the Faculty of Science, Kabul University, with Dr. A. G. Kaker (arrow at feet), Dean of the Faculty The subjects dealt with in the course for men were an outline of the history of education; Persian for teachers; Pashtu for teachers; Mathematics for teachers; teaching apparatus; art, handwork, the history of Afghan culture; agriculture, science, human development, religion; administration; the studies of Persian literature and Pashtu history and literature; the philosophy of education; psychology; English; the United Nations; school and society. In the women's 10th, 11th and 12th (iii) A delegation from the Institute was sent to the teachers' training colleges in Kandahar and Nangarhar to co-operate with the educational teams there. (iv) The curriculum of the teachers' training colleges was revised and modified by a team of educational specialists from the Institute as a result of talks held between the Institute and the Ministry of Education's vocational education section. (v) The Institute also helped to arrange 62

The Blue Mosque at Mazar-i-Sharif, exquisitely decorated with coloured tiles, and patterned and inscribed

Another view of the Mosque at Mazar-i-Sharif

the curriculum for third and fourth year students of the faculties of science and literature intending to take up teaching. Among the specialised subjects dealt with are general psychology; sociology, the psychology of youth and educational psychology; modern Afghanistan and its educational problems; the curriculum in secondary schools; administration and guidance; principles of teaching; labora- tory work connected with teaching. (vi) Activities in leisure time. 200 women teachers took part in a course held out of school hours wherein instruction was given in English, drama for children, and methods of teaching mathematics. (vii) Graduate Courses. Last year the Ministry of Education advised the University of Kabul to initiate a programme of postgraduate studies for teachers who were graduates of the faculties of science and literature. The Institute devised the programme and it was approved by the University. Now graduates of the aforementioned faculties after a further year's training in educa- tion are awarded an M.A. or M.Sc. degree. For teachers who completed their B.A. course prior to the establishment of the postgraduate course, the period of study has been extended to two years for the M.A. degree. To make it possible for teachers to work for this advanced degree night classes were arranged, be- ginning in April, 1959. The subjects taught in the first year are: (i) secondary education and a survey of modern Afghanistan, (ii) the system of education, including general and individual teaching methods and observation based on ex- perience, (iii) principles of education, including sociology, psychology and their relation to education, (iv) science in the modern world and (v) English language. Second year subjects include (i) progres- sive methods of teaching science, social science, language and mathematics, (ii) the mechanics of teaching, including tests, guidance and research into individual differences, (iii) the continuation of the principles of education including books, research and culture, (iv) Islamic culture and education, (v) the modern world and its demands for education and (vi) the continuation of English language. (viii) Teaching Apparatus. a. The English language section of the Institute is responsible for compiling books teaching English to Afghans. So far the first three books of a series of six entitled "English for Afghans" have been published. b. The Publishing Section takes care of the printing and distribution of vocational books. 75 books in 8,000 volumes have been published in English, Pashtu and Persian, of which those in Pashtu and Persian written for children are outstand- ing. The Institute also puts out a monthly magazine in which specialists write articles on educational subjects. The object of these magazines which are dis- tributed free to all the schools in the country, is to further the knowledge of teachers in specialised fields. c. The Equipment Section of the Institute has undertaken the preparation of those items, which may be collectively described as educational aids, such as globes, models, chart-making equipment, white and coloured chalk, and children's free activity apparatus in wood and leather. The Section is also making slide projectors that use the rays of the sun, and this is expected to be of particular importance in areas where there is no electricity. d. The Library. At this moment the Institute has a library of more than 6,000 books in English, Pashtu, Persian and Arabic. Most of these books are con- nected with education. 35

THE KABUL MUSEUM As the Kabul Museum, representing the Afghan nation's culture and civilisation for many thousands of years, was in need of drastic reorganisation, work started on it in the beginning of the Third Year of the Plan. This included the installation of Plexiglass display cabinets and air conditioning units in the various galleries. Two galleries, one of the ancient relics of Bagram and the other of Islamic art, were reorganised in such a way as to make them most attractive and prominent. A new gallery, that of pre- historic Afghanistan, was opened: it was given the name of the Mundigak Gallery and in it were arranged discoveries be- longing to some five thousand years. The findings of Fundukistan were moved to a better room and the sculpture works of Afghanistan's very last Buddhist period were put on display. The Shuturak Room In this room examples of Graeco- Buddhist sculpture have been displayed, as well as slabs of marble. Stone tablets found in various parts of the country, and until recently placed in corridors in the Museum, have been removed to this room and mounted in the walls with the appropriate description beneath each one. In the newly completed depot with its specially designed cabinets ancient relics from Bagram, ivory sculptures, glassware belonging to the Alexandrian period, metalware, plasterwork and earthenware have been stored. The photographic Section A new photographic section has been opened at the museum and contains cameras and enlargers for the preparation of necessary photographs for the museum as well as for outside organisations. Photographic work has also been com- pleted on the relics of Nuristan, the sculptures of Gandahara and the dis- coveries of Fundukistan. A catalogue for the Museum is in the process of prepara- tion; it will in time be published and distributed to persons and organisations who are interested in the Museum. Ancient Nuristani woodcarving now at Kabul Museum 36

The Restoration Section This department has been busy restoring various items at the museum. From time to time foreign specialists have assisted in this work. The work completed in the first half of the Third Year of the Plan, in the absence of foreign specialists, is as follows: (i) restoring 101 pieces of sculpture. (ii) .. 310 pieces of earthenware. (iii) .. 102 pieces of plaster sculpture. (iv) .. 51 pieces of copper and brassware. (v) .. 622 coins. (vi) .. 25 manuscripts. (vii) .. 10 stone tablets. Manuscripts There are 640 volumes of manuscript and 208 rare printed books in this department. Arrangements are being made to place the manuscripts in two separate rooms and the printed books in another. A statute has been devised which, when put into effect, will assist in preserving the ancient relics both movable and immovable, throughout the country. The Decorations Department A specialist from Switzerland has been employed to help the Museum authorities in decorating the various rooms and galleries. The Fundukistan Room has now been rearranged. The remaining rooms and galleries are expected to be redecorated in the near future. EXCAVATIONS (i) Surkh Kotal A French archaeological team has been digging at Surkh Kotal (15 kilometres north-west of Pul-i-Khumri) with the co-operation of the Museum authorities ever since 1952. It was in the first year of this work that the central temple of Surkh Kotal was discovered. The following year the fire-worshipping centre was unearthed. In 1957 a most important 25-line tablet was discovered. Work continued during the following year on 8 sites in Surkh Kotal, from all of which interesting and important discoveries were made and relics produced. The works of art found in Surkh Kotal are supposed to belong to the Graeco-Bactrian period. Sculptures found show that in the same area there was also a Buddhist temple. Many coins, together with various pieces of brass and earthenware, were found to belong to the Koshani period. Among the other discoveries in this area are 16 tablets, 1 line each and 6 lines each, in the Greek and ancient Takhari languages. It is hoped that by deciphering the inscriptions, further light will be thrown on the language of the Afghan people two thousand years ago. (ii) Mundigak A French archaeological team in Afghanistan discovered the prehistoric hill at Mundigak in the vicinity of Kandahar in 1930. Since then until the autumn of 1958 excavation work continued on this site. The discoveries made here during this time were divided between the French team and the Kabul Museum at the end of the period of excavation, and the prehistoric room was thereupon opened at the museum. Among the items found at Mundigak are various seals, clay sculptures of humans and animals, stone sculptures, flint arrow heads, stone utensils and implements, bronzeware, copperware, bone implements, stone and clay bobbins, shells, pieces of gold, huge pitchers and pottery. During the year news has been received by the Museum authorities of discoveries made in various parts of Afghanistan, of which some have already been examined, with promising results, and others are still in the process of being studied. 87

Remains of the 11th Century Minaret of Ghazni (ii) Ghazni An Italian archaeological team, to- gether with members of the Kabul Museum, embarked on a study of Ghazni in the summer and autumn of 1958. Their excavations were restricted to the palace next to the mausoleum of Sultan Ibrahim. Many pieces of embellished marble, stone and baked brick found at this site testify to the splendour of the Ghaznawi era. Also found there was a stone statue of Shiva, apparently brought to Ghazni from India around 1,000 A.D. A box with decorative work in copper and silver found in this palace was the first of its kind to be found in the whole of Afghani- stan. Excavation work in Ghazni is by no means over: indeed it has only just begun, and it is expected that in years to come discoveries will be made in ancient Ghazni, which will throw a great deal of light on a very important period in Afghan civilisation. 38

A group of young children with their nurses at the Village Development Centre at Shewaki. The banner at the back says “The Village Development Project is recognised as the best means of raising the people’s standard of living” VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Comprehensive schemes have been started to modernise farming and widen the interests of the villagers. THE Provincial Council of the Village Development Authority in the third year of the Plan inaugurated a new Project in Parwan. It also considered establishing a similar council in Logar. Various Committees were established during the year in the several Village Development Projects, and they discussed ways and means of creating mutual understanding and an atmosphere of co operation and harmony among their various members. The programmes initiated during the year were all under taken after careful research by specialists and technical officers of the Village Development Authority, and with the full co-operation of the communities. The United Nations Technical Assist ance Board continued to help the various sections of the Project as in the past. A six months' practical training course was established which accepts students from the twelfth grade of the Teachers’ Train ing Schools. Its aim is to produce graduates who are well aware of the theoretical and practical objects of Village Development in Afghanistan and who will help the Authority in its plans for further expanding the Project. Emphasis is placed on training in agri culture, health and handicrafts, subjects which will be supervised in primary schools by graduates of the course and 89

The Chief of U.N.E.S.C.O. in Kabul talking to village schoolchildren about writing and drawing (iii) Girls' Schools. In these schools there is now a combined total of 17 classes and an attendance of 292 students. (iv) Village Schools: These schools have a total of 298 students. (v) Boys' Primary Schools: The school at Shewaki has a total of 6 classes, 13 sections, 403 students. That at Charasiab has 6 classes, 9 sections and 378 students. The school at Bagrami has 6 classes, 11 sections and 390 students, while that at Tangisaidan has 6 classes, 7 sections and 209 students. In both the boys' and girls' schools, as well as at the Social Centre, along with the regular subjects dealt with, many educational films have been shown, and also films on the various aspects of farm life. B. Practical Training Programme Twenty students in three different groups have been specially trained to give practical assistance and advice to farmers in agriculture, social conditions, economic development and health. The graduates of this course have been constantly lending a helping hand to the residents of the various communities in undertakings such as digging hygienic wells, seeing that the streets are kept clean, and other development works. II Agriculture. Activities in this field include such items as veterinary services, the treatment and inoculation of contagious diseases, the sowing of experimental wheat, the introduction of artificial fertilisers, the cleaning of seeds and their treatment with special chemicals, as well as the keeping of honey bees. A total number of 19,995 animals have been given protection against, or treated for, diseases. Several farmers have been encouraged to cultivate a new American-type wheat in their land and instruction and advice have been given them in the proper Practical training in preparing a field 41

guidance of a supervisor and four teachers. The subjects taught include Persian, child training, home economics, cooking and embroidery. LOGAR PROJECT I Education. Two village schools have been opened, one in Ab Bazak and the other at Shahi, in Kulangar. A Shewaki farmer busy harvesting his field with his new scythe methods of cultivation. The farmers have also been shown various films and given information on such matters as pruning and protecting young trees and saplings from the cold, irrigation, and protection against plant disease. Consideration has been given to the keeping of honey bees, and Japanese mulberry trees have been introduced. III Health. Health activities in the Project have continued as before. Doctors, nurses and other health attendants have kept in close touch and co-operated with the people. Treatment has been given in all cases, including dental complaints. Some 74,369 people benefited from such treatment in the first six months of the third year of the Plan. More than 200,000 were vaccinated against smallpox and 9,342 new-born children were registered in the Development Project Area. IV Women's Welfare Centre. Thirty-one students have been given training in the Welfare Centre under the II Agriculture. Several farmers have been encouraged to sow a total of 2,051 seres (1 sere=16 lbs.) of a new kind of wheat on their lands. In 11 gardens a programme of pruning has been put into action, and lectures have been given to farmers on pruning and orchard tending. Some 16,871 animals have been treated for, or protected against, disease. Several thousand trees (apples, mulberries, apricots and others) have been pruned while the orchard owners were on hand to see and appreciate the methods. Several thousand new saplings and trees have been planted. III Health. In the comparatively short time since its establishment the Development Project of Logar has received wide acclaim in the community and especially for its health section. Most common among the diseases treated have been those of the eye, contagious diseases being very small in number. Several thousand children have been inoculated against smallpox, while protection against typhoid has been given to the various villages in the unit by the spraying of D.D.T. In the Women's Welfare Section training has been given in embroidery and cookery, and six girls have also been accepted to train as nurses. 42

Youths from Kohistan participating in the Afghan Independence celebrations

The lovely valley of Panjsher in the Province of Kabul 44

Afghan farmers have learned how to use the newly introduced Austrian scythes grasses have also been taken under experiment. At Baghlan an area of 30 acres has been set aside where various trees, seeds and varieties of grass are cultivated. The Baghlan experimental farm has sold 20,026 grafted saplings to farmers and has given away 5,210 other young trees to schools, civic authorities, etc. The Kunduz farm has sold 3,687 trees, fruit-bearing and otherwise and has given away 4,954 trees. Nearly 8,000 trees have been grafted on the Farm. For the improvement of cotton, a quantity of Akala 44 and other types of seeds have been sown for seed. Seven Egyptian wheats have also been cultivated for increased seed. The construction of the Kunduz Agricultural Club will also be completed in the very near future. In Pactya considerable quantities of apricot, peach, olive, orange and pine have been sown and 22,000 graftings of roses, poplars, honeysuckles and others have been planted. In Maimana 580 grafted peach, pear, apple and quince trees have been planted, having been transported from Kunduz. Another 12 seres of almonds, pistachio and clover seeds have been sown. 2,489 pine, acacia, judas and almond trees have also been planted. In Farah 142,300 pine, poplar, rose and other trees have been planted during the year, and some 10 seres of almond, pine, oak and mulberry seeds have been sown. In Parwan 6½ acres of land were set aside for a small experimental farm, in which 1,616 trees of judas and one sere pine seeds were planted. A considerable number of trees have also been planted in the jungles of Chardih Ghorband, Ab-i-Shekh Ali, Bamyan, Andak and Chilmish. 46

In Badakhshan, 30 acres of land were sown with pistachio seeds and 13,805 Japanese mulberry seeds were planted in an attempt to foster sericulture. At Balkhab and Sar-i-Pul 5,500 poplars have been planted and two seres of almonds, apricots and pines sown. Sericulture Sericulture has been practised in various localities of Afghanistan for centuries. More recently, however, it has received the attention of those Govern-ment departments concerned with the increase in production of silk and the raising of the nation's standard of living. Experimental areas have been set aside in many provinces where silkworms are bred under the supervision of experts both Afghan and foreign, the services of the latter having been facilitated by the United Nations Technical Assistance Pro-gramme. Results so far have been encouraging and the future prospects of Sericulture in Afghanistan appear to be very good. During the year a new station has been established in Herat. The Gulbagh station in Kabul was completed at about the same time, and this year arrangements were made for the breeding of silkworms. In these stations the egg-laying moths are hatched, and these in turn are distributed throughout the country. Some 885 boxes of silkworm eggs have been distributed in Badakhshan. In Nangarhar 800 boxes were sold during the year, while at Herat the sales rose to 1,784 cases. Seven boxes were given to the Helmand Valley Authority, 170 boxes to the Cotton Union Co. of Kunduz and 20 boxes to the Village Development Project Headquarters. One sample box was sent to France. Thirty packages of the egg-laying moth were sent to the Baghlan Sugar Refinery for the second term of the year 1337 and twelve packages to the Kunduz Cotton Union Company for the first term of that year. At the Nangarhar station 182 packages of the egg-laying moth have been produced from 2,000 boxes of eggs. Parwan produced 1,000 boxes of eggs, the Tapa-i-Taj Beg station between 4,000 and 5,000 boxes, together with 330 packages of egg-laying moths. The cocoons gathered from all the stations amounted to 40 seres (640 lbs.). It has been decided to establish another station in Nangarhar, where 15 acres of land have been set aside for the cultiva-tion of Japanese mulberry trees. For the time being the grant for this purpose has been fixed at 280,000 Afghanis. Irrigation and Canal Improvements The Ajimir Canal, the Kelagai Desert and the Kokcha River have all been surveyed. Grafting olive trees in Pactya Province 47

Improvement work began on the Ajimir Canal, which irrigates a large area of Baghlan. Cement pipes were used to prevent the canal sides from caving in in some parts. At Jarikhushk and Hassan Tal, where the introduction of electric power was feasible, all the necessary equipment was prepared. A further improvement has been the erection of strong walls with sufficient boulder-backing in places where floods damaged the canal. of beetroot cultivation in Baghlan and Ghori, where seven varieties of seeds from Poland are being used experimentally. The distribution of seeds to farmers in northern provinces during the past year was as follows: Cotton seed in Kataghan 434,585 seres Cotton seed in Mazar-i-Sharif 83,275 seres Cotton seed in Shibirghan & Akcha 59,000 seres A D.D.T. unit preparing for the next lot of spraying When the Kelagai Desert project is completed, some 5,500 acres of new land will come under cultivation. The Archi Canal moreover is being surveyed, and steps have been taken to clean canals throughout the country. In all cotton-growing areas, the Ministry's technical experts are on hand to advise the farmers. The same is true Cotton seed in Maimana 24,705 seres Beetroot seed in Kataghan 143,115 Kg. Wheat in Mazar-i-Sharif, Shibirghan, Maimana, Herat & Farah 10,000 tons 48

The wheat has been specially imported from the Soviet Union and its distribution supervised by technical experts from the Ministry. It will be observed during its growth, and arrangements have been made for a further increase in wheat production through the distribution of these seeds to other provinces later on. Some 40 tons of a special American wheat, found highly productive and resistant to disease during several experimental seasons, are being imported for distribution in the province of Kabul. In the field of animal husbandry also, steps for improvement were taken during the year. New establishments for animal breeding were opened at Jamalmaina and Bini Hissar in Kabul. There cows, sheep, horses and various types of fowl are bred under close supervision and the better animals thus obtained are being circulated round the various communities for further reproduction. Throughout the year some 269,594 animals have been vaccinated against divers diseases; 329,575 animals have been treated with medicines administered by mouth, and 1,161 animals received treatment in the Ministry's veterinary hospital. In order to produce a special breed of dairy cows, eleven cross-bred calves have been allocated to individual farmers, and in the Artificial Insemination Laboratory 780 cows were inseminated from the best breeds of foreign bulls. 4,073 of the best eggs, together with 215 hens have also been distributed among the farmers, the purpose being to step up the quantity and quality of chickens from the double view-point of egg-production and food value. The Veterinary Course was extended to three years and the Chicken-Breeding Course continued as before. A large and modern egg-hatching establishment was completed in Bini Hissar. The animal husbandry laboratory at Kataghan was also completed and activities there begun. One of the famous Kataghani breed of horses brought to Kabul for breeding purposes Construction work was started on animal husbandry laboratories at Kandahar and Herat. With a view to increasing the number of trained personnel, two people were sent to Beirut, two to Western Germany, one to England, one to Iran and one to Australia, for advanced training. The arrangements made for the construction of laboratories and the study of diseases affecting staple food crops at Herat and Kataghan were successfully concluded. At the present time diseases affecting wheat, sugar cane, vines and pears are being investigated. As part of the campaign against plant diseases, the following medicines and equipment were procured from abroad: 440 spray guns (with and without wheels), 750 gallons of Malathion, 12,400 pounds of D.D.T., 2 tons of Ceresan, 660 tons of Hexachloro. A three-week course for the promotion of a campaign against plant diseases was begun in January, 1958, and continued 49

throughout the year. In the provinces, especially in the Kabul Province, the trainees are continually helping farmers in their campaigns. Stations for the same purpose have been set up in many places where films from various countries showing their methods of combatting plant diseases, are shown. At Kohdaman some 133,600 vines were treated by graduates of the course. Around 5,251 seres of powdered sulphur were sold to owners of vineyards at a nominal price. At Dehsaleh, east of the capital, 236,745 vines and 2,590 trees were sprayed. Last year's activities also included the sowing of lucerne, some other foreign plants and the Shapisandi wheat for demonstration purposes, and the showing to farmers of the uses of artificial ferti- lisers such as ammonium nitrate and super phosphates. Reports too were presented to the Ministry on the various diseases encountered by agricultural teams at all stations. Three demonstration centres were opened at Sarai Khwaja, Paghman and Jalrez and their purpose, in showing the most modern and scientific methods in bee-keeping, was to encourage bee-owners to produce more honey. Tree-spraying against insects is an important facet of agricultural activity. The photo here shows part of an orchard at Char Asiab, near Shewaki, being sprayed 50

A bird's-eye view of the Gulbahar Textile Mills, which will go into full operation next year 100 kWh. power at Farah may be mentioned. The Gulbahar steam-generated power plant (2,800 kWh.) is also well under way. TEXTILE PROJECTS Fabrics and clothes constitute the biggest import items for Afghanistan, using up vast sums in foreign currency. Textile projects, therefore, enjoy a certain amount of priority in the Plan. 1. Gulbahar Textile Plant It is the biggest factory in Afghanistan, consisting of 47,000 spindles and 1,422 automatic weaving machines with sections for white, coloureds, prints and waste products. The construction work has been going on for several years now. During last year the entire spinning section and a part of the weaving machines were installed and began trial operation. Other sections are also com- pleted in the neighbourhood of 70-90%. It is expected that the factory will go into full production in the next fiscal year. 2. The Umeed Rayon Plant This plant, consisting of 40 automatic weaving machines and producing up to 650,000 metres of rayon annually, began operations in January. 3. The Kandahar Woollen Textile Plant A new project is in hand which will, with the co-operation of a Polish organisa- tion, enhance the quality and increase production of the present factory at Kandahar. New machinery for its expan- sion is already being installed. CEMENT With no cement factory, Afghanistan was facing a rather grave problem by an annual expenditure of her hard-earned 52

The newly built Cement Factory at Jabalussaraj, which produces 100 tons of much needed cement a day.

One of the aircraft of the Ariana Afghan Airlines being checked prior to one of its international flights

foreign currency and, at times, due to a halt in the import of cement, an inability to implement her development projects. Losses sustained due to these problems in the not too distant past have been overwhelming. The first sizeable cement factory in Afghanistan started operation in 1958 and achieved its maximum daily production of 100 tons only this year. But since the need for cement is constantly increasing, the decision was made to embark on the immediate construction of another and bigger plant. The new plant with the daily capacity of 200 tons (expandable to 400 tons per day) is being constructed at Kataghan with the co-operation of the Czechoslovak Techno-Export. All the raw materials necessary are to be found almost on the spot and electricity will be supplied by the Second Puli-Khumri hydro-electric plant. Construction work has already started and some machinery has arrived on the site. It is expected that the plant will begin operation in the fifth year of the Plan. WORKSHOPS All the machines and items of mechanical transport imported into Afghanistan require constant maintenance and repair. If facilities for this were not available, the machinery and vehicles would be lost to the country without having fully served the purposes for which they were imported. This in turn damages the nation's economy. So to reduce such heavy losses the establish-ment of several repair workshops for vehicles and other machinery in various parts of Afghanistan has been undertaken as part of the Economic Plan. These workshops are being built at the following sites :— H.M. The King visiting the Cement Factory at Jabalussaraj 1. The Jangalak Repair and Hardware Factory. This factory was primarily estab-lished as a workshop and training centre for the Textile Company. This year it was made independent of the Textile Company, and with Govern-ment capital, it was transformed into a factory for metal work and repair of vehicles. There are the following sections in this factory: smelting, casting, spare parts manufacture, engine repair works and repair shops for other machinery. The vehicle repair shop can handle 1,000 per year. The tractor repair shop can handle 50 per year. The stationary engine shop can handle 25 per year. 55

2. The Mazar Vegetable Oil Plant In order to make use of cotton-seed and other oil-bearing seeds at Mazar-i-Sharif, a plant has been purchased from Czechoslovakia and construction work on the factory has already started. 3. Fruit Conserving Plant at Kandahar Afghan fruits have a significant place among exports from the viewpoint of securing foreign currency. However, due to lack of proper means for drying, packing and otherwise preserving them, Afghanistan's fruits have had rather limited sales to date and have not gained the important position in world markets which they deserve on account of their superior quality. In order to remove this drawback, it was decided to set up a fruit conserving plant. When the preliminary surveys had been satisfactorily made, construction work began this year on the plant with the help of the Czechoslovak Techno-Export. The plant has the following sections:— (a) The preserving unit capable of handling 30 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts. (b) The juice-making unit handling 10 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts (c) The fruit-drying unit which can handle 10 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts. (d) The cleaning and sorting unit capable of handling 100 tons of fresh fruit in 24 hours. The plant can also wash, clean, sort and pack 9,000 tons of raisins annually. It will in addition have a laboratory, repair workshop, carpentry section, used water purification unit, steam unit and a 120 kWh. diesel generator. CHINAWARE 1. Shakir Chinaworks A new oven was added to the equipment of the above factory this year, thereby increasing the factory's daily output to 5,000 pieces. A tile manufacturing unit has also been procured and installed at the factory. 2. Kunduz Chinaworks Another factory under the joint ownership of the Baghlan Cotton Union Company and the Marobini Company of Japan has already been completed. This factory, producing 5,000 pieces per day, was inaugurated in 1958. THE KANDAHAR INDUSTRIAL ZONE With the co-operation of the I.C.A. a project has been undertaken in the vicinity of Kandahar for the establishment of several small factories within a zone. Technical problems like the supply of electricity, water, essential services, security and facilities for workers would be a joint responsibility for all the factories. This group will comprise the following factories:— Cigarette - manufacturing, flax cord manufacture, vegetable oil production, The China Factory of Kunduz, which was established with the joint capital of the Kunduz Cotton Union Company and the Marobini Company of Japan 57

repair, ironcasting and bicycle assembly, tanning, woodturning, shoemaking, construction material from cement, etc. The survey work on these factories has been finished by an American firm and it is expected that work on some of the factories may start in the next fiscal year. FOREIGN CURRENCY In the first three months of the third year of the Plan about $2,500,000 were placed at the disposal of industry-owners at low industrial exchange rates, in order that the necessary machinery and equipment may be imported. This figure only covers present payments in this respect. The real cost of machinery and equipment purchased and imported during the current year is much higher in view of the fact that they are secured from various countries on a credit basis. NEW ORGANISATIONS The following companies have been registered at the Ministry of Mines and Industries in the first three months of the third year of the Plan:— 1. The Coal Union Co. 10,000,000 Afs. 2. The Industrial Section of Kabul Fruit Co. 2,000,000 Afs. 3. Lutfi Repair Workshop 400,000 Afs. 4. Ghori Factories Construction Co. 35,000,000 Afs. 5. Nangarhar Sugar Factory 17,000,000 Afs. 6. Kandahar Fruit Conserving Co. 40,000,000 Afs. SELECTED INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS 1335 1336 1337 1. Electricity ... Da Breshna Loy Shirkat kWh. 1,631,246 28,819,339 51,324,748 2. Textiles ... The Textile Co. ... Metres 15,405,328 19,963,384 21,449,588 3. Yarn ... The Textile Co. ... Metres 112,848 123,146 61,492 4. Sugar ... Sugar Co. ... Tons 4,780 4,793 4,732 5. Woollens ... Woollen Textile Co. Kabul Metres 195,781 155,183 163,832 6. Kandahar ... Metres 47,486 63,466 43,595 7. Ginned Cotton Cotton Co. ... Tons 3,147 3,102 3,224 8. Laundry Soap Cotton Co. ... Cakes 1,286,842 1,101,396 1,134,496 9. Toilet Soap ... Cotton Co. ... Cakes — 20,368 28,217 10. Matches ... Match Co. ... Dozens 200,648 185,994 608,670 11. China ... Shakir Co. ... Piece — 104,442 110,519 12. Cement ... Cement Co. ... Tons — — 20,951 (10 months) MINES The Ministry's activities in the Mines Department have also continued according to plan both in survey and research and in actual exploitation and development of active mines. 1. Hydrological Survey A hydrology section had already been opened in the geological survey department. This year, however, it was further expanded and strengthened as a result of the arrival of experts from the West German Federal Republic, with whom a technical co-operation agreement has been signed. Hydrological and hydrometric activities have since been undertaken on a much larger scale. 58

A view of a picturesque dwelling in the Khost district of Pactya Province

The dam and hydro-electric power station at Pul-i-Khumri 60

A repair workshop was started at Darulaman for the upkeep of the depart- ment's equipment. New machinery and equipment was purchased in addition to that secured through the West German Government's and other countries' technical assistance schemes. A deep well was drilled at Kunduz for the fruit-preserving factory there. Investigations are in hand for deep wells at Kabul for the Teachers' College, Kabul University, Charkhi Bridge and at Kandahar for the motor repair workshop. A plan has been undertaken to deter- mine the flow of water in the Afghan waterways. Special equipment is being used for the purpose at Tangi Gharoo, Sarobi, Daronta, Panjsher, Ghorband, Kunar and Puli-Khumri. 2. Geological and Meteorological Survey The geological survey of Afghanistan, started last year, was strengthened this year with the help of the West German technicians and equipment placed at our disposal as a result of a technical assistance agreement with the West German Federal Republic. A special radio-activity survey is being carried out with the co-operation of a French team. Also a study is being made of the river deposits to ascertain the presence and extent of heavy minerals, with the co-operation of a French technical assistance team. 3. Topography and Aerial Survey The American Fairchild Co., with whom the Government have an agree- ment for securing of complete topo- graphical data on Afghanistan, has now undertaken to do the following work by 1962, in accordance with an addendum to the agreement brought about by the I.C.A. Aerial photography on the scale of 1/30,000, 1/60,000 of a major part of the country and photo-mosaic of 1/50,000 and 1/100,000 and topographical maps of 1/50,000, 1/100,000 and 1/250,000. Further, the work of photography and ground control surveys has continued in accordance with the previous plan and agreements with the U.S.S.R. Techno- Export and the American Fairchild Co. A large area has been photographed on scales of 1/30,000 and 1/60,000. Arrange- ments have been made for the estab- lishment of modern archives for the safe-keeping of aerial and topographic maps. Additional photographic equip- ment has been imported from West Germany. 4. Petroleum In accordance with an agreement con- cluded with the U.S.S.R. Techno-Export organisation, a survey is under way in the search for petroleum in a large area of northern Afghanistan. To date, the following work has been accomplished in this respect:-- (a) General geological research of 8,000 sq. km. and special study of the Angut, Yateem Tagh, Khwaja Garook and Shibirghan areas covering an area of 1,300 sq. km. (b) Aerial magnetic charting of 42,000 sq. km. (c) Photo-geologic charting of some desert areas. (d) Gravimetric work in desert areas 27,0000 sq. km. (e) Seismic study and charting on definite lines and areas covering 600 sq. km. (f) The drilling of a research well 1,500 metres deep at Angut Hill in order to study the general geological formation of the area. (g) The finding of suitable sites for future drillings in other parts of the designated area. 61

Various buildings have also been erected at Mazar-i-Sharif and at Sari Pul for residences, headquarters, workshops, laboratories and garages for the rather long job of searching for, and probably discovering, oil in the north. COAL PRODUCTION Work has continued on mechanisation as well as the study of the extent and quantity of coal at the Karkar and Ishpushta mines. The following work has been accomplished at the Ishpushta mine:— (a) The charting of all underground works from the very beginning to the end of 1337 on the 1/2,000 and 1/1,000 scales. (b) The preparation of future excavation and development plans for coal-faces Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5. (c) The completion of the tunnel to coal face No. 3 to a length of 250 metres and setting up a proper haulage way and electric fans in it. (d) The setting up of a haulage way and metal rails for the transport of coal from the coal face No. 4 halfway to coal face No. 5 to a length of 700 metres. Karkar Mine (a) Charting of the whole work from The Kabul Lapidary and Joinery Co. does most of the decorative marble work, such as table tops the beginning to the end of 1337 on a scale of 1/2,000. (b) The preparation of future excavation and development plans. (c) The setting up of metal columns in the transport tunnels and the expansion of the coal face to a length of 900 metres. (d) The construction of homes for 100 miners. Over and above the work carried out at the mines, at the headquarters of the Coal Union at Puli-Khumri a workshop has been set up; 17 buildings have been constructed for officials and 12 houses for the miners with families. Work has also been completed on an electric generator, using coal as fuel, with a capacity of 250 kW., and on several garages. A forestry programme, designed to produce the necessary timber for the mines, is going ahead as scheduled. 25 acres of land at the Union's estate have already been planted with new trees. A further 94 acres have been planted with trees in a proposed 250-acre plantation site at Eshkamesh. In order to shorten the distance between the Soof valley mines and the places of consumption in Kabul and elsewhere, a new 112 km. long road has been built between these mines and Simingan. At Herat's Karrukh mine production continued throughout the year for local consumption, which is rather limited. Coal production figures at Ishpushta for the years 1336 (1957-58) and 1337 (1958-59) were 8,950 and 12,350 tons respectively. The figures for the same periods for Karkar were 10,699 and 21,396 tons respectively. 62

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS THE main effort of the Ministry of Public Works has been directed towards the continual improvement of the country's highways. This was not the Ministry's only sphere of activity, but the need for completing the work already begun on highways in the east and north was the most pressing, and therefore attracted the most attention. The third year of the Plan in the Ministry of Public Works saw: (i) The continuation of projects included in the first and second years of the plan, (ii) the putting into effect of projects Countryfolk co-operating with the Government's Labour Corps in building the new Kabul—Torkham highway (Cont. from page 63) The Ministry's representatives have participated in the following conferences and international meetings during the year :— 1. E.C.A.F.E.'s Natural Resources Conference at Calcutta. 2. Natural Resources Committee meeting at Bangkok. 3. Annual E.C.A.F.E. meeting at Broad Beach, Australia. TRANSPORT AFFAIRS In 1958 the Ministry had established a department of transport for the transport of coal and other mining products. 104 lorries secured through I.C.A. are now in use by this department. A workshop had also been established for the necessary repairs to the department's vehicles. 64

included in the third year of the Plan. (iii) the undertaking of problems the expenses of which are met from the annual budget. In the sphere of road building the Ministry's Department of Labour Corps has been very active throughout the year. The immediate effort was directed at the completion of bridge building and flood defences, and the construction of concrete ramparts at Torkham and Kizil Kala. On the Torkham-Jalalabad highway, 78 kilometers have been made ready for asphalting, work on the latter having by now begun. This work is going ahead as a result of a Project Agreement between the Afghan Government and I.C.A. (signed June 25th, 1958). The entire length of the highway has been graded, and at least 15 cms. of additional material laid on it, to be topped by 3-5 cms. of granite chippings. On the Jalalabad-Kabul highway, work on a stretch of 130 kilometres was completed in spite of many physical difficulties. It is estimated that only 5 per cent. of the preliminary work on this road remains to be done before it is ready for asphalting. 76.8 kilometres of the Kabul-Matak highway to the north have been completed, of which 40 kilometres have been asphalted. The Kizil Kala-Doshi highway, with a total length of 235.6 kilometres was completed in spite of such natural obstacles as hills and gorges, and the fact that climatic conditions for most of the time were almost unbearable. One of the major problems involved in completing the road between Doshi and Kizil Kala has been the construction of the Alchin Bridge on the Kunduz River. The preliminary steps for the construction of this bridge were taken in the second year of the plan, when an agreement was signed with the Techno-Export Agency of the Soviet Union. Construction work began immediately, and before the beginning of the third year the bridge was officially opened. The main advantage of this bridge lies in the fact that the distance between Kunduz and Kizil Kala can now be covered in one hour instead of in eight. The consequent economy in petroleum, the running cost of vehicles, the facilities for trade and transit, not to mention the easier flow of human traffic, all add to the importance of this engineering feat. It may be of interest to know that the length of the bridge is 120 metres, its breadth 8.9 metres, while the maximum weight it is capable of supporting is 60 tons. Salang Highway At present, there is only one road connecting Kabul with the Northern Provinces of Afghanistan. This road was built in 1931 under the reign of King Mohammed Nadir Shah. Since, at the time, Afghanistan was not in a position to undertake difficult road constructions, it was thought best to follow the easiest route from the technical point of view. Thus the road was built from Kabul to Charikar and the Ghorband defile, over the Shibar Pass and through the Shikari defile to Doshi and from there to Pul-i-Khumri, Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif. The main handicap of this route is the long detour which it imposes from Charikar to Doshi. A straight line between Charikar and Doshi would cover about 80 km. but the existing road over the Shibar Pass conecting these two points is 250 km. long. There is only one practicable passage through the formidable barrier of the Hindukush on the straight line from Charikar to Doshi, and that is the Salang Pass, at an altitude of 3,648 metres. Even there it will still be necessary to dig a 2 1/2 km.-long tunnel. When the present road to 65

People of Pactya Province constructing a secondary road at Mangal the north was built, it was impossible to envisage such a task; technically and economically the country could not have borne the burden of such an enterprise. Today, however, with the technical assistance that is furnished to us by the Soviet Union, this project has passed from the realm of imagination to that of reality. The Labour Corps of the Ministry of Public Works, guided by engineers from the U.S.S.R., has actively undertaken the construction of the Salang Highway. This new road, which is part of the general project of road improve- ment and construction from Kabul to the North of Afghanistan, branches off at Charikar from the existing road and joins it again at Doshi, shortening the present route by 150 km. Work on the road has been divided into three phases: Phase I :From Doshi to Do Shakh Phase II : From Jabalussaraj to Awlang and Phase III : From Awlang to Do Shakh through the Salang tunnel. 66

Phase I consists of the following: The road from Doshi to Do Shakh at the northern end of the Pass will be 10 metres wide on the flat ground and 9 metres wide on the rougher ground. According to the nature of the terrain the curves will have the following lengths: 125 metres, 60 metres and 20 metres only in very exceptional cases. The maximum gradient will be 7 per cent. and in exceptional cases 10 per cent. The asphalt cover over the sub-base will have a thickness of 6 cm. 98 drainage constructions have been planned and 28 small bridges with a 5 to 2 metre span. 15 large and medium bridges will be built with spans varying between 53 and 30 metres. Buildings and houses are to be erected for various purposes in connection with the road. Phase II of the Salang road consists of the following: The road from Jabalussaraj to Awlang at the Southern end of the Salang Pass will be 30 km. long and will have widths of 10 metres on the flat ground and of 9 metres on rougher ground. The curves will have lengths of 125 metres, 60 metres and in exceptional cases 20 metres. Gradients of the road will be 7 and 10 per cent. The asphalt cover over the sub-base will be 6 cm. thick. The plans include the construction of 26 drains, 11 small bridges, 12 crossings and 11 large and medium bridges with spans varying between 85 and 30 metres. The bridges will be built of iron girders and concrete slabs. Buildings and houses related to the road construction will be erected. Phase III consists of the following: The road from Awlang to Do Shakh, including the 2½ km. Salang tunnel will be 25 km. long. The width of the road will be 10 or 9 metres according to the terrain. The plans include the construction of 63 drains, 12 small bridges with 2 metre spans, 5 small bridges with 4 metre spans and 2 large bridges to be constructed of iron girders and concrete. Houses and buildings necessary to the road construction and maintenance will also be erected. Work on the Salang Highway Project was started in June, 1958. In the First Phase the following has been achieved: A unit of the Ministry of Public Works Labour Corps during road building work at Doshi

The road from Doshi to the foot of the pass has been 45 per cent. completed. The construction of the bridges and drains which number a total of 157 has been 72 per cent. completed. Other buildings have been completed as follows : Housing for the engineers, 100 per cent. The 2 storeyed hotel, 25 per cent. The general workshop, 25 per cent. The transport building, 25 per cent. The ironmongers' workshop, 80 per cent. The electricity station, 80 per cent. The bathhouse, 95 per cent. The explosives storage building, 100 per cent. The general depot building, 60 per cent. The petrol tank building, 25 per cent. The Minister of Public Works explaining some of the construction work on the Salang Highway to His Majesty the King (left) The laboratory building, 100 per cent. Work on the Second and Third Phases will start as soon as the necessary equipment and materials have arrived. Apart from the obvious economical advantages to be derived from the construction of this road, it is felt that it will also have beneficial social repercussions in that travel from the south to the north of the country will be made easier and more agreeable. The expenditure incurred so far for the construction of the Salang Road is as follows : 19,791,406 Afghanis, which represents the total expenditure incurred by the Government of Afghanistan and 12,237,367 U.S. dollars which represents the contribution of the Government of the U.S.S.R. through a loan agreement. Shpoonbaba Bridge The erection of the Shpoonbaba Bridge on the Kabul River at Tang-i-Gharoo was begun in the early summer of last year and finished in the winter. 19 metres in length and 9 metres wide, it is made entirely from concrete and steel. The Ministry's Supervisory Department has the responsibility and technical facilities for supervising the entire highway system in Afghanistan, and for undertaking the immediate repair of any damage done to bridges, drains, etc., on these roads. It is the duty of this Department moreover to supervise the asphalting work on highways included in the Plan, machine and technical projects, and transit affairs. Furthermore it has undertaken the supervision of the import of various types of machinery for road construction, surveys, laboratory equipment and spares of all kinds. The Department's function with regard to the transit project is to supervise the construction and asphalting of the Spin Boldak highway, the agreement regarding which was 68

The forests of Pactya Province on the Sulaiman ranges of mountains

70 H.M. The King riding a yak during a recent trip in the Pamir, 'The Roof of the World.'

The old caravan route over the Salang Pass which will soon be replaced by the new Salang Highway, incorporating a tunnel 2½ kilometres long signed with I.C.A. on June 30th, 1958. The survey and design work on this project was given to an American company early in 1959, while aerial photography of the highway was carried out in June and finished in July. It is estimated that constructional work on this road will start in the autumn of this year. Airports The construction of airports at Bagram and Kabul, two of the country's most important construction projects, has been a further responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works. Work on the construc tion of the Bagram Airport began in February, 1958, and by now 90 per cent of the concreting work and 60 per cent of the buildings have been finished. The remaining work will be completed as quickly as possible. The runways have a length of 3,000 metres and a width of 54.4 metres, while the total area of the airport is approximately 63,200 square metres. Runway work finished on the 7th June, 1959, 32,000 cubic metres having been the amount of concreting material used. Most of the hangars will be finished in August of this year. The taxiways are 4.3 kilometres long, and their date of completion was June, 1959. A drainage system 5,520 metres in length has been constructed to collect and take away excess water from the airport. Five houses have been completed for airport officers, the transformer station is 65 per cent finished, and a road leading to the airport is under construction, of a total estimated length of 10 kilometres. Furthermore there will be a hospital (20 beds), clinic (60-patient capacity), and other structures for various purposes. 71

Kabul Airport An agreement for the construction of the Kabul Airport was signed with the Soviet Techno-Export Agency in May of this year and work began in July. The major part of this work will lie in the construction of runways, taxiways, hangars, gas station, electrical and water power houses, canalisation, central heating unit, passenger lounge, communications unit, and roadworks along the airport. It is planned to have the work on the Kabul Airport completed in entirety within three years. Kandahar's International Airport ON 30th October, 1957, work was started on the construction of the International Airport of Kandahar. Today, all the technical constructions of the airport are completed or nearing completion. This airport is destined to become the most important one in Afghanistan and one of the largest in Asia. It will be able to accommodate the latest type of modern jet aircraft and take care of the maximum amount of traffic. In addition to an efficient terminal building, a hotel will be constructed at the airport itself to provide for passengers in transit. The construction work so far has been carried out by the Morrison Knudsen Afghanistan Company. The total area of the airport is 3,200 hectares or 16,000 jiribs at an estimated elevation of 1,009 metres above sea level, and the construction of the following items comprise the aims of the technical part of this project: 1. An asphalt runway 3,200 metres long and 45 metres wide. 2. The latest type of runway lights. 3. Three high-speed turn-offs and connecting taxiways. Top: The 3,200 metres long runway of the International Airport, Kandahar. 2nd: One of the hangars for future jet planes. 3rd: Customs Office and Control Tower. 4th: Terminal building of Kandahar International Airport 72

4. An apron 82 metres long and 57 metres wide. 5. A large air-conditioned hangar able to accommodate the largest types of aircrafts. 6. Several depots for the storage of goods in transit or otherwise. 7. A hydrant fuelling system for the rapid refuelling of aircraft, specially jet-propelled airliners. Architectural and engineering services for the non-technical parts of the airport construction will be provided by the "Pacific Architects and Engineers" firm of Tokyo. Their services are for the following: 1. Transmitter building. 2. Communications Centre Building. This will include an air traffic control centre for the whole of Afghanistan. 3. Building and facilities for stand-by generators. 4. Freight building. 5. Terminal building. This will be a two-storey building able to accommodate 100 passengers at one time. Built over the two-storey passenger section will be an air-conditioned control tower. The terminal building will include the following: (a) A ticket lobby with booths for 10 airlines (with possibility of expansion to 200 booths). (b) A waiting room for local passengers with a snack bar. (c) A waiting room for passengers in transit. (d) A waiting room for distinguished travellers. (e) A restaurant available to local and intransit passengers. During the last stages of the construction of Bagram Airport, Government officials were invited to inspect it (f) A kitchen to serve the restaurant and meals on aircraft. (g) Baggage and customs facilities. (h) Passport and health control offices. (i) Bonded lockers. (j) Rest rooms and for the public. (k) Offices for airlines. (l) Airline operations apron service. (m) Airport administrative offices for manager and staff. (n) A control tower and equipment room. (o) Premises for the meteorological group. (p) A message centre and briefing room. (q) A transformer vault. 78

The Students of the Aviation Course at Kandahar Airport Projects After agreements with the International Co-operation Administration of America it was arranged that a number of airstrips would be built in some Afghan cities, for the benefit of air traffic between the capital and these cities. Five such airstrips, at Herat, Baghlan, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Kunduz, are included in the present plan. The site for the airstrip in Badakhshan has already been chosen, survey work is being carried out, and on the completion of the initial stages construction work will begin. As the runway of the Herat airstrip was found to be unsuitable for use during the winter months, arrangements were made to prepare another runway. At the present time a 2,200 metres long and 200 metres wide runway is in the process of construction. The Baghlan airstrip has already been surveyed and the site of the Hassan Tal airstrip chosen. When the latter is ready the transport of merchandise from Kataghan to Kabul and the outside world will be much easier. Similarly, survey work on the Farah and Kunduz strips are being conducted. Towards the end of 1333 (early 1955) definite steps were taken in the field of meteorology. Assistance received from the World Meteorological Organisation included the sending of specialists and technical equipment, while arrangements were made to establish meteorological stations in Kabul and the provinces, in addition to 25 observatories in Kabul and various parts of the country. It was planned furthermore to build five pilot balloon stations in Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif and Jalalabad, two radio sound stations in Kabul and Kandahar, and several laboratories and workshops; and also to purchase the necessary equipment and vehicles. Training in meteorology is divided into four courses: (i) Weather Forecast. The need for this did not become apparent until the Afghan Airlines began their regular services. A course was begun at Kabul into which graduates in science of the University of Kabul were accepted. The course is one year long, and some of its graduates are sent abroad for higher and more specialised training. At the present time the work of the graduates of this depart- 76

ment is handicapped by lack of the necessary equipment, so the Afghan Air Authority is arranging the purchase, importation and installation of such equipment in the near future. (ii) Radio Sound. The use of pilot balloons for collecting information about weather conditions is also new in Afghanistan. A course has been established in this subject as well and it is hoped that its graduates will help to spread meteorological knowledge throughout the country. (iii) Technicians' Course. The purpose of this course is instruction in the use and repair of meteorological equipment. Graduates of the High School level are accepted into it and receive training from Afghan and foreign teachers. Some graduates of this course too are sent abroad for higher training and a few who have completed their training are now working in Afghanistan. There are four meteorological workshops in the country—for radio sound equipment, comparison, the repair of self-recording equipment, and general repair. (iv) Observers' Course. The training given here is in the use of meteorological equipment in observing weather conditions. A good number of students have already graduated from this course and are at work in meteorological stations throughout the country. Students at a Meteorology Course at the Training Centre 77

The Kabul-Jalala- bad highway at Tangi-Gharoo The new Dilaram Bridge, Kandahar Part of the completed cotton storage accommodation at the Kunduz Cotton Union Com- pany 78

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AN important measure taken in the field of communications during the third year of the Plan was the agreement for the installation of a 1,500 line telephone service for the city of Kandahar. According to the Agreement, signed with a Czechoslovakian company, the equipment necessary for this service will arrive in Afghanistan within fifteen months. Another important step was the installation of exchanges and new lines throughout the country. In this connection, eleven new exchanges have been installed in the capital and the provinces—such as in Lashkargah, Kandahar; Sher Shah Maina, Kabul; Herat and Parwan. Among the switchboards set up elsewhere in the country can be mentioned those at Badakhshan, Shibirghan, Chahar Burjak, Farah, Chakhansaur, Nangarhar, Pul-i-charkhi, Kabul and the Pactya Province. Lines amounting to about 200 kilometres in all have been extended during the year in Akcha, Guldar, Saighan, Moosa Khel and Shokhi; while the telephone service between Mazar-i-Sharif and Maimana has been doubled. The new channel system units purchased for telephone and telegraphic purposes between Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, and between Kabul and Spin Boldak, from the Siemens Company have arrived in Kabul. When these are installed it will be possible to carry four telephonic and six telegraphic communications on each pair of wires. As this new service cannot for technical reasons be operated on the present steel wires the Ministry has had to obtain new equipment, including copper wires, for use in the new channel system. 5,000 metal poles with all accessories such as brackets and insulators and 270 tons of copper wire have been purchased and imported from the Soviet Union, and improvement work began on the Kabul—Kandahar line in September, 1958. The work completed on the Kabul—Spin Boldak line through Kandahar is as follows: i. The channel system line between Kabul and Ghazni has been renewed to a total length of 80 kilometres. ii. The Ghazni—Gardez—Mukur line has been renewed to a length of 30 kilometres. iii. The Mukur—Kalat line has been renewed to a length of 40 kilometres. iv. The line between Kalat and Kandahar has been renewed to a length of 40 kilometres. v. The Kandahar—Spin Boldak line has been renewed to a length of 55 kilometres. It is hoped that the work on the whole project will be finished by March, 1960, when the channel system will officially come into operation. A new agreement has been signed with the Soviet Union for the purchase of 5,500 poles (with accessories) to be used in the renewal and improvement of the channel system line between Kandahar and Herat. The price of these is estimated at 300,000 dollars. A specialist from the International Telecommunications Organisation has been invited by the Ministry to give advice on the improvement of channel system services in Afghanistan; and on the basis of the report he presented to the Ministry, arrangements are now under way for the purchase of necessary equipment for the extension of the channel system between Kandahar and Islam Kala through Herat. This project will require approximately 60 tons 79

America through the Exchange Office in Amsterdam, arrangements were made with the Ariana Airlines, and mail for Europe and the U.S.A. continued to be despatched three times a week. There are now twice weekly deliveries of air mail between Kabul and Karachi. Arrangements were made with the Viennese 101 Office for the despatch of air mail to Kabul in special envelopes in accordance with the decisions of the Ottowa Postal Congress. A 12 per cent. increase has taken place in postal revenues. On important national and international occasions new stamps have been issued, including the 40th anniversary of Independence Day, Children's Aid, the anniversary of the United Nations, the Red Crescent, Pakhtunistan Day, Atoms for Peace, Human Rights, the International Exhibi- tion in Kabul, and the visit to Afghanistan of the President of Turkey. Afghanistan's representative joined in the annual communications conference of E.C.A.F.E. and the International Tele- communications Union's meeting in Tokyo. As a result of talks held between the Afghan representative and the organisation's authorities, the Inter- national Telecommunications Union promised to give a further assistance of 175,000 dollars within the next three years to the Ministry of Communications. This sum will be used in the survey of com- munications plans and for the School of Communications in Kabul. The Union moreover promised the services of a specialist in the channel system, and also gave 6,000 dollars worth of equipment to the Ministry during the year. The French S.F.R. Company too has presented the Ministry with some equipment for the wireless telegraphic system. Back view of the new 50 kW. broadcasting transmitter at Kabul 81

Afghanistan's representative also participated in the International Postal Conference in Ottowa. The Ministry sent four of its officials to Germany and Belgium for specialised training in the telephone and channel system. The graduates of the School of Communications last year were 35 in number, and they have started work in the telegraphic comunications systems of the Ministry. Twenty line inspectors also finished their practical training courses and joined the working staff of the Ministry. Three Specialists from Germany have been employed, under whose supervision work on the channel system and other line extensions has continued during the year. A French specialist has been employed as well for work with the wireless telegraphic section of the Ministry. Afghan technicians now man all branches of the Ministry of Communications, including this department of Wireless Telegraphy at Yakatoot, Kabul 82

An orange grove in Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar Province

A view of the Greater Pamir with a few yaks grazing in the foreground.

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH One of the main activities of the Ministry of Public Health has been to increase its contacts with the outside world. Various delegations and individuals have been sent abroad, either to participate in health conferences and seminars or to further their own knowledge in particular fields with the object of giving better service to the Afghan nation on the conclusion of their foreign studies. In the same way many experts, undertaken, such as malaria control, typhoid control, the campaigns against T.B. and smallpox, and training courses for nurses and medical students. A writ has been issued for conducting compulsory vaccinations against smallpox throughout Afghanistan. The construction of a health centre was begun at Kurlanger, Logar, during the year. A hospital was opened at Shibirghan and medical personnel were sent to the Mobile Hospital Unit of Kandahar and The 1338 graduates of the Midwifery Course at Kabul's Maternity Hospital specialists and health advisers have been received at the Ministry from such outside sources as W.H.O. and U.N.I.C.E.F. These personalities in turn have helped the Ministry in promulgating new health measures or in continuing those already the X-Ray Unit of Nangarhar. The graduates of the Nursing, Midwifery, Dispensers' and Sanitarian Courses, as well as those of the School of Assistant Physicians and Assistant Dentists were sent to various provinces to begin active 85

work in hospitals all over the country. A new Radiography and Radioscopy Unit has been installed in Kabul and has begun to operate, 12,739 people having been X-rayed during the year. Also a new course called the Physicians' High Course has been inaugurated, in which X-ray specialists are given the most recent information in the field. Thirty-eight students have been given specialised education in the campaign against malaria and have been sent to various campaign areas. Four qualified doctors have been sent abroad for further training in the struggle against this disease. One of the new midwives receiving her certificate of graduation, complete wtih her photo, from the Deputy Minister of Public Health An assistant dentist from the Central Institute of Dentistry at Kabul HEALTH STATISTICS A. CURATIVE INSTITUTIONS Hospitals and Poli-clinics 52 Mobile Units 6 Technical personnel 773 B. PREVENTIVE INSTITUTIONS Malarial campaign centres 11 Anti-V.D. centres 5 Maternity centres 17 Tuberculosis campaign centre 1 (a) Anti-Malaria campaign Area of Activity Kabul, Kandahar, Farah, Girishk, Herat, Pactya, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kataghan, Nangarhar, Badakhshan Population covered 2,234,510 DDT used (lbs.) 534,000 86

(b) Anti-Typhoid campaign Area of Activity Population covered DDT used (lbs.) Provincial centres, districts, and villages 2,277,000 307,800 (c) Anti-Tuberculosis campaign Radiographed and tuberculin tested ... 16,996 B.C.G. vaccinated ... 2,123 Treated in hospitals, etc. ... 1,498 Treated in their homes ... 190 (d) Smallpox vaccinations ... 849,000 (e) Number of out-patients at hospitals and poli-clinics 860,216 Patients admitted to hospitals and treated ... 9,792 C. NEW MEDICAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED Laboratories ... 12 X-ray equipment ... 9 Dental surgeries ... 9 THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN KABUL THE Maternity Hospital was established in 1951. At first it had only six beds, but within the year this number was increased to 35. By 1955 it had risen to 65, and continues as such to date. The hospital is divided into two sections, internal and outpatients. The internal section is further divided into Maternity and Gynæcology. There are five outpatient sections, known as Policlinics, in Kabul where pregnant women are examined every fifteen days until the time of birth; for which event the patient is either admitted into hospital or remains at home under the supervision of hospital personnel. The hospital authority also supervises a Midwifery Course, founded on the 15th December, 1951, from which there have been 62 graduates so far. The average yearly number of patients admitted into the Maternity Hospital is 1,600. There have been 1,500 natural births and 125 Caesarian operations last year. Around 310 patients have given birth to their children at home, under the supervision of hospital midwives. The number of patients treated in the Policlinics during the year is as follows : (i) Shahrara Policlinic: new patients, 1,596; former patients, 5,378; new gynæcological cases, 775; former gynæcological cases, 480. (ii) Central Policlinic: new patients, 774; former patients, 2,232. (iii) Maiwand Wat Policlinic: new patients, 1,193; former patients, 2,783. (iv) Chaman Policlinic: new patients, 967; former patients, 2,859. (v) Shershahmaina Policlinic: new patients, 784; former patients, 2,329. The number of people using the facilities of the Maternity Hospital is increasing constantly. Gone are the days when they preferred unqualified midwives and had their children delivered at home in conditions far from hygienic. 87

MINISTRY OF TRADE DURING the third year of the plan the Ministry of Trade dealt with a number of activities pertain- ing to an increase in trade relations with other countries, and national and inter- national exhibitions were held for the further publicising of Afghan commodi- ties to consumers at home and abroad. Here we present details of some of the year's activities. FOREIGN TRADE A. Agreements. During the year several trade agree- ments have been signed or extended and various delegations have gone to foreign countries or been received from foreign countries for the furtherance of commer- cial and trade relations. (i) A delegation from the Czechoslovak Government arrived in Kabul to sign an agreement and protocol for the exchange of goods and prices between the govern- ments of Afghanistan and Czechoslovakia. After due discussion and talks between the parties, a barter agreement and protocol for prices was signed on October 12th, 1958. (ii) A protocol for the exchange of goods and prices between Afghanistan and Poland, which is signed alternately in Kabul and Warsaw, was extended on October 21st, 1958, in Kabul when a Polish delegation arrived for talks in Afghanistan. (iii) On the invitation of the United Arab Republic Chamber of Commerce, a delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Planning left for Cairo on December 8th, 1958, to participate in an economic conference held there. (iv) As a result of an agreement between Afghanistan and France and with a view to expanding economic relations between the two countries, an Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement was signed by representatives of both sides in Kabul on January 6th, 1959. (v) An Afghan economic delegation participated in the annual E.C.A.F.E. Conference from January 9th to 19th and from January 21st to February 21st in Bangkok. An exchange of views took place on the expansion of trade relations between Asian countries and the possi- bilities of exporting and importing goods between the countries concerned were established. Direct talks and communi- cations took place later between Afghani- stan and other participants in the Conference. (vi) An Afghan delegation participated in the 15th session of the E.C.A.F.E. Committee Meeting held in Australia in March, 1959. (vii) A commercial delegation was sent to Yugoslavia upon the invitation of the Yugoslav Government in March, 1959, to inspect commercial and industrial organisations in that country. (viii) The Protocol for the Exchange of Goods and Prices between Afghanistan and the U.S.S.R. was renewed for the year 1959 when a delegation under the Minister of Trade visited the U.S.S.R. in April. (ix) Upon the unofficial invitation of the Italian Government a delegation consisting of representatives of the Ministries of Mines and Industries. Public Works and Trade, Da Afghanistan Bank, Commercial Bank, and the Gulba- har Textile Company went to inspect the various industries and commercial organisations of Italy in June, 1959. (x) A Japanese technical, co-opera- tive and economic delegation came to 88

The Afghan Minister of Trade (right) calling on his Indian counterpart on a recent visit to New Delhi Kabul during the year 1337 and exchanged views with organisations concerned on the strengthening and further development of trade relations between Japan and Afghanistan. (xi) As trade between Afghanistan and India did not flow in accordance with expectation—and indeed there were cer- tain difficulties in its way—the Ministry of Trade, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacted the Indian Government with regard to the renewal of trade agreements between the two countries. As a result a delegation left for India in July to discuss possibilities of removing the difficulties present and signed a new agreement. (xii) Upon the proposal from the Polish Embassy in Kabul for the renewal of the existing Agreement and Protocol for the Exchange of Goods and Prices for 1959 and 1960, the Ministry has agreed to receive a Polish delegation in Kabul and it is expected that when a new agreement has been reached a protocol between the two governments will be signed in War- saw. (xiii) The protocol for the Exchange of Goods and Prices for 1959-60 will shortly be signed between Afghanistan and Czechoslovakia in Prague. B. Foreign Investment. During the year four requests were received for investment in Afghanistan : (i) A request for the establishment of a casings industry by a Japanese merchant with a capital of one million Afghanis. (ii) A request for the establishment of an organisation which would furnish machinery for sorting fruits. The proposer is a German subject and the proposed capital is 7,500 dollars. (iii) A request for the establishment of an electrical workshop by the Siemens Company with a capital of 100,000 D.M. (iv) A proposal by the Franklin Development Institution of New York for participating in the Ministry of Education Press with a capital of 300,000 dollars. These proposals are receiving attention at the Ministry of Trade. C. Transit and Transport Difficulties. As Afghanistan is a land-locked country, the consequent effect on the country's economic development has not been very favourable. The Ministry of Trade, with a view to preparing transit and transport routes for the flow of goods to and from Afghanistan, has contacted the governments of Pakistan and the U.S.S.R. with regard to the signing of transit treaties with the said governments. As a result some facilities have been introduced in this respect. During last year a Pakistani delegation, headed by the Pakistani Minister of Finance, arrived in Kabul and held talks on transit prob- lems. An agreement was signed after these talks. This delegation was followed by another Pakistani delegation under the Minister of Trade which sought ways of implementing the aforementioned agree- ment. A further delegation, this time from Afghanistan, left for Pakistan to discuss the difficulties created in imple- menting the transit agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Afghan-Soviet Transit Agreement of 1954 was extended when a delegation 89

His Majesty The King opening the Second International Exhibition in Kabul from the Soviet Union's Sofracht came to Kabul and held talks with the authorities of the Department of General Transport. To ease the transport of goods over the Oxus (Amu) River to Kabul and other areas the Ministry of Trade has established an office entitled Bandar-Wali (Port Authority) at Kizil Kala. This office will be responsible for all works and activities in the northern ports such as Kizil Kala, Tashguzar and Kilift. D. International Exhibition at Kabul. The establishment of international exhibitions throughout the world has been considered very favourable for the development and expansion of trade relations and the sale of goods. In 1337 an international exhibition was held in Kabul to introduce Afghanistan's traditional industries and goods. Invitations were sent to friendly countries for their participation in the exhibition, and as a result several nations did participate. The 1337 exhibition in Kabul was more attractive and covered greater territory than the one which was held two years before. In all some forty Afghan institutions and fourteen foreign governments, as well as several foreign private organisations (which have agencies in Afghanistan) participated in the international exhibition. The occasion was held to be both successful and effective. During 1337 Afghan representatives participated in an international exhibition held in Italy between December 6th and 21st, 1958. Afghanistan also took part in India's Industrial Exhibition, when a delegation headed by the Afghan Minister of Trade was invited to India. Another Afghan delegation also joined in the Cairo Industrial Exhibition. INTERNAL TRADE The Ministry of Trade has taken considerable interest in the development of internal commerce and in furnishing ways and means for the purchase of goods and their export, as well as such other items as sorting and packing, and the transport of goods for trade throughout the country. There follows a list of the Ministry's activities in these respects. A. Credits Furnished. (i) Cotton: in order to encourage the cultivation of cotton, one of the country's most important industrial products, the Ministry has in the past few years furnished the following credits to various organisations: Organisation Credit Kunduz Cotton Company 86 million Afghanis Amin Co. Ltd. 40 million Afghanis (ii) Karakul:— Organisation Credit Karakul Company—through Da Afghanistan Bank 34 million Afghanis (iii) Wool:— Organisation Credit Wool Company—through Da Afghanistan Bank 61 million Afghanis B. Sorting and Standardising. (i) Cotton: the Ministry has assisted by 90

supplying specialists for the better sorting of cotton for export and for other markets. As a result of this considerable satisfaction has been achieved from the Afghan Barter Agreements with several countries. (ii) Fruit: fresh and dry fruits are among the important produce and export items of Afghanistan. In order to increase the export of this item to foreign countries a new company was established at Kandahar with a capital of 500,000 Afghanis. A Ministry of Trade representative is assisting this company for the sorting and standardising of fruits. Another company has been established in Kabul with a capital of 7,500,000 Afghanis and aims to do the following: a. export fresh and dry fruits and seeds, b. regulate the market from the view-point of export and the requirements of foreign trade markets, c. seek foreign markets for fruit from Afghanistan. d. import machinery for the cleaning, purifying, packing and conserving of fruits. Until recently the market for the export of Afghan fruit was India and Pakistan. The Ministry has made efforts to expand this market, and with this end in view has despatched samples of Afghan products to various eastern, European, African and American states. Orders have been received from a number of these for such fruits as raisins, pistachio, almond, walnut, dried apricot, etc. Several machines for cleaning raisins were imported during 1337 and distributed to various raisin-producing localities in Kandahar and Kabul. INSURANCE The Afghan export and import items are being insured by foreign companies such as Sterling and Union. A U.S.S.R. A karakul ram and his shepherd. Thousands of flocks of karakul sheep are raised in the Northern Provinces Insurance Company has also agreed to insure Afghan commodities. A proposal of a French insurance company with respect to Afghan goods is now under study. Arrangements have been made for the despatch of a representative of the Ministry to Germany for higher and more specialised training in the field of insurance. The Ministry is also studying the possibility of establishing several Afghan insurance companies and has taken steps in employing an insurance specialist from Germany for the time being. NEW COMPANIES AND TRANSPORT ORGANISATIONS During 1337 and with the active encouragement of the Ministry, several companies and transport organisations came into being. Following are details of a few of them:- Company Capital Afghanis Machine workers Ltd. 5,000,000 Mohabbat Co. 2,400,000 Siddiki Transport Co. 1,780,000 Pashtani Co. 1,400,000 Bakhtawar Co. 2,400,000 Wadani Co. 2,500,000 91

Kataghan Seeds & Transport Co. 3,500,000 Kadiri Co. 3,500,000 Hakim & Omar Co. Ltd. 2,000,000 Kataghan Joint Stock Co. 1,700,000 Balkh Joint Stock Transport Co. 5,000,000 Shakir China Works 7,700,000 Further increase in D.M. Siemens Co. 200,000 Further increase in Afghanis Bus Service Co. 4,423,000 RESEARCH STATISTICS A. Regulations. During 1337 the Ministry has prepared and presented for the inspection and study of expert organisations the following A young girl of the Shakh Valley, Maimana, in native costume, deftly weaving one of the carpets for which Afghanistan is famous regulations: i The Law of Foreign Investment (this has now passed all its legal procedures and become a national statute). ii The Law of Trade Brokerage. iii The Law of Registering Trade Marks. iv The Law of Motor Vehicle Brokerage. A special department of the Ministry has been continuously active in preparing trade statistics in Kabul and in all the customs houses throughout the country as well as at the borders. The monthly reports filed at all these customs houses are forwarded to the Ministry where they are systematically arranged. The annual trade volume statistics are derived from them. The 1337 Export Statistics were arranged on the basis of the International Code System and published in Persian and in English in one volume early in 1338. The import statistics for 1336 are in the process of being printed. Arrange-ments have been made to purchase all the necessary machinery for the future publishing of general statistics in Afghan-istan within the country. During the year a course in statistics was instituted in which a number of officials from the Ministry as well as representatives from the statistical depart-ments of other ministries and organisa-tions took part. The course gave general information on statistics during the three months of its duration. PRICE CONTROL The Ministry has established an Office of Price Control with a view to removing the possibility of profiteering and of creating balanced rates for goods, especially pertaining to those goods which 92

A wild ram of the Chinari Mountains, near Kabul.

are in the daily consumption list. The success achieved by this office has been very encouraging. TRADE TRIBUNALS The Ministry has further been respon- sible for the establishment of trade tribunals in Kabul and the provinces for the solution of various problems, should they arise. The three tribunals in each province have been active throughout the year and have solved a number of prob- lems brought before them. The primary courts have solved twenty cases, the appeals courts sixteen cases. EXPORT STATISTICS FOR 1336 (22nd March, 1957 – 21st March, 1958) THE total figure for exports from Afghanistan during the year was 1,984 million Afghanis. This was 360 million Afghanis over the figure for 1335. Exports in 1335 amounted to 1,624 million Afghanis and in 1334 to 1,527 million Afghanis. Based on an international classification of commodities, Afghan export goods are divided into 16 major categories. Each of the major divisions is subdivided, bringing the total number of exported goods to 119 items. Major categories of export goods are : Fresh fruits—twelve kinds. Dried fruits—thirty kinds. Fresh vegetables—sixteen kinds. Seeds and spices—nine kinds. Hides and skins—six kinds. Furs—five kinds. Wool—four kinds. Planting seeds—five kinds. Medicinal herbs—fifteen kinds. Fabrics—four kinds. Carpets and rugs—seven kinds. Semi-precious stones—three kinds. Cotton, casings and live animals. The countries to which Afghan com- modities have been sent are : India, the Soviet Union, the U.S.A., Great Britain, the West German Federal Republic, Czechoslovakia, Pakistan, Holland, Leba- non, Poland, Singapore, Austria, Japan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Iran, Egypt, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Bahrein, China, Iraq, and France. During the year the major receiving countries were : million Afghanis India .......................................... 580 U.S.S.R. ..................................... 455 U.S.A. ........................................ 336 Great Britain .............................. 255 Germany ................................... 118 Czechoslovakia .......................... 112 Pakistan ..................................... 97 Afghanistan's leading customers were therefore India, receiving 29 per cent. of the export commodities during the year, Russia receiving 23 per cent., U.S.A. 17 per cent., Great Britain 12 per cent., Germany 6 per cent., Czechoslovakia 6 per cent, and Pakistan 5 per cent. There follows a list of the country's major export commodities during 1336 with their export values and the amounts which were sold : Com- Export modity Value Amount million Afghanis Dried fruits 530 27,400 metric tons Karakul 446 2,900,000 pelts Raw cotton 320 17,706 metric tons Wool 215 6,972 .. .. Fresh fruits 144 31,497 .. .. 95

Carpets and Kelims 96 239,050 sq. metres Casings 60 2,000,000 coils Seeds and Spices 70 Hides and skins 55 1,400,000 pieces Afghan export commodities have brought in from major receiving countries during the year the following amounts : India ... ... 564 million rupees Pakistan ... 129 .. .. U.S.S.R. ... 76 .. dollars Great Britain ... 16 .. pounds sterling Germany ... 35 .. marks Czechoslovakia 14 .. dollars U.S.A. ... ... 17 .. .. From the above statistics it can be seen that more than fifty per cent. of Afghani-stan's trade income in 1336 was derived from dried fruits, karakul, cotton, wool and fresh fruits. Dried fruit, which was the leading export commodity, earned 26 per cent. of the total trade income, while karakul brought in 22 per cent., cotton 16 per cent., wool 10 per cent., and fresh fruits 7 per cent. This order of importance of commodities was not the same in 1335. Comparing trade figures of 1336 to those of 1335 it can be seen that during the latter year karakul was the leading export commodity, forming 25 per cent. of the country's trade earnings, while dried fruits earnings were 22 per cent. of the total. Similarly, cotton brought in 12 per cent., wool 10 per cent. and fresh fruits 11 per cent. A study of the export trade also indicates that the export of some commodities has been steadily rising—such as karakul which shows a steady rise One of the numerous designs of Afghan carpets is the Feel Pye (Elephant Pad) one shown above 96 A mountain torrent in the Greater Pamir

from the year 1331 up to 1336, from 158 to 446 million Afghanis. However, during the year 1336 as compared to 1335 Karakul exports declined from 25 per cent. to 23 per cent. of the country's total trade. On the other hand export of other commodities, such as cotton, is following a fluctuating pattern from a maximum of 320 million Afghanis to a minimum of 140 million. IMPORT TRADE OF AFGHANISTAN DURING the year 1336 the total imports of Afghanistan were 1,966 million Afghanis, while the country's exports during the same year were 18 million Afghanis more than the imports. The export trade consists of raw material, while the import products are mainly consumer goods and an increasing amount of capital goods. The variety of goods imported amounts to 306 commodities, ranging from nails and needles to trucks, turbines and tractors. Commodities using a substantial part of the foreign exchange earnings of the country are natural and artificial silk, amounting to almost 500 million Afghanis, cotton piece goods amounting to over 300 million Afghanis, sugar over 150 million Afghanis, vehicles over 150 million Afghanis, petrol almost 150 million Afghanis, tea over 100 million Afghanis and paraffin 25 million Afghanis. Between the years 1330 and 1336 the country's import trade has undergone a change, not only in volume, which has almost trebled, but also from the viewpoint of consumers. Cotton piece goods which formed 40 per cent. of Afghanistan's foreign trade in 1330 declined to 16 per cent. in 1336 and were replaced to a large extent by natural and artificial silk which rose from 5 per cent. to 25 per cent. The change in demand from cotton piece goods to artificial silk indicates the rise in income of the lower income groups. Import of vehicles during the same period went up to six times its former amount and gasoline to five times, this being an indication of increased economic activity. Import Statistics Commodity Groups Millions of Afghanis Food ... ... ... 295.14 Beverages and Tobacco ... 7.48 Inedible raw materials, except fuels ... 2.93 Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials ... ... ... 139.50 Animal and vegetable oils and fats ... .35 Chemicals ... ... ... 49.09 Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material ... ... ... 1,068.55 Machinery and transport equipment ... 220.15 Miscellaneous manufactured articles ... 177.09 Miscellaneous transactions and commodities, not elsewhere specified 5.97 Grand total ... ... 1,966.25 During 1336, 30 per cent. of the import trade of Afghanistan came from the U.S.S.R., 20.6 per cent. from Pakistan, 18 per cent. from Japan, 11 per cent. from India, 8 per cent. from the U.S.A., 4 per cent. from Germany and 3 per cent. from England. The leading trade partners from whom the country received its supplies during 1336 were the U.S.S.R., Pakistan, Japan, India, the U.S.A., and Great Britain. Since 1330, imports from the U.S.S.R. into Afghanistan have increased by six times, from Pakistan by four times, from Japan by seven times, from the 97

U.S.A. by three times, and from Germany by seven times. Other countries such as Italy and Czechoslovakia which prior to 1335 had little or no trade with Afghanistan have become new trade partners. On the other hand, due to the adoption of new trade policies by some countries their volume of trade with Afghanistan has declined. India, which used to be Afghanistan's leading partner, now ranks fourth in the latter's suppliers' list. The above analysis shows that the import trade of Afghanistan has followed a steady pattern with moderate changes during the year. Based on statistics provided by the Customs Houses, both export and import figures have increased, but the excess in exports has been much larger than the increase in imports. This has resulted in a surplus of 18 million in 1336, in contrast to the deficit of 124 million Afghanis in 1335. DA AFGHANISTAN BANK DA Afghanistan Bank was established in the year 1929 with an initial capital of 120 million Afghanis. As the country's central bank it issued paper money for the first time in 1930, and began a foreign exchange service. In 1943 it undertook the control of foreign exchange throughout the country. Da Afghanistan Bank was established on the basis of a Joint Stock Company, of which 93.33 per cent. of the capital belongs to the Government and the remaining 6.77 per cent. is privately owned. In accordance with its constitution, Da Afghanistan Bank has the monopoly of issuing bank notes in the country. Among its other duties are : (a) fixing the exchange rate, (b) regulating the rate and circulation of money, (c) regulating the exchange and market value of money, (d) conducting the Government's Treasury affairs, (e) taking the necessary measures for fixing Afghan currency with the concurrence of the Government. Da Afghanistan Bank issues and regulates paper money, supervises the affairs of the Treasury and those of the Govern-ment, municipalities and other Afghan offices inside and outside Afghanistan insofar as they are concerned with banking; participates in the issuing of legal documents pertaining to the Government and municipalities; purchases and sells gold and silver, foreign currencies, shares and loan documents; conducts safe deposit affairs and accepts savings accounts; gives loans to municipalities and, on conditions of public interest, to other banks, industrial and trade organisations, besides functioning in usual ways. The affairs of the Bank are conducted by a body 762 in strength. It has taken the initiative in establishing the country's other main banks: the Mortgage and Construction Bank; the Agricultural and Cottage Industries Bank; the Commercial Bank; and the Industrial Cassette. It has also established agencies in the provinces and outside Afghanistan. In the Autumn of 1954 the capital of the Bank was increased to 400 million Afghanis. A quarterly magazine entitled "Da Afghanistan Bank Magazine" was published for the first time in the autumn of 1956. This is issued free to people and organisations interested in economic affairs. The amount of paper money in circulation at the end of 1337 (early 1959) was 1,870 million Afghanis. A proportionate 98

A view of the beautiful valley of Paghman, near Kabul

100 Water released through the Kajaki Dam gushing out from the site of the future hydro-electric power station, back into the Helmand River. This will be the largest power station in Afghanistan, with a capacity of 120,000 kWh.

increase was also made in the gold and silver backing for the paper money in that year, and this amounted to 60.2 per cent. Interest There are two forms of interest rate in Da Afghanistan Bank, the Commercial Interest rate and the Government Interest rate. (i) Commercial Interest rate: (a) Commercial loan 8 per cent. (b) Joint Stock loan 8 per cent. (ii) Government rate: (a) Government Loans 4 per cent. (b) Municipalities 4 per cent. (c) Government undertakings 4 per cent. Discounts (i) Discounts on the documents of industrial organisations 7½ per cent. (ii) Repeated discount 7 per cent. (iii) Cultural discount 5 per cent. Foreign Exchange The Foreign Exchange rate is divided into two sections, namely, the differing rates for the Government's ordinary and developmental budgets on the one hand and for industrial undertakings on the other. (i) Ordinary and developmental Budget rate: Currency Purchase Sale Afghanis (a) 1 U.S. dollar 20 20.25 (b) 1 Swiss franc 4.662 4.720 (c) 1 French .. .048 .0413 (d) 1 German mark 4.7618 4.8214 (e) 1 Indian and Pakistani rupee 4.2 4.2525 (f) 1 English £ 56 56.7 (ii) Industrial and Governmental Undertakings rate: Currency Purchase Sale Afghanis (a) 1 U.S. dollar 28 28.35 (b) 1 Swiss franc 6.52 6.6084 (c) 1 French .. .0517 .0578 (d) 1 German mark 6.6667 6.75 (e) 1 Indian and Pakistani rupee 5.88 5.9535 (f) 1 English £ 78.4 79.38 OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR AFGHANISTAN Received in the Year 1337 A. U.N.O. The United Nations and its specialised agencies placed the sum of $700,603 at the disposal of the various government departments. Of this, $57,470 were spent in the purchase of equipment and the rest was used for the employment of 74 specialists and the school fees of 11 students. The breakdown of the specialists' subjects was as follows:— 9 specialists connected with U.N.T.A.B. 1 specialist connected with International Communications Union. 2 specialists connected with World Meteorological Organisation. 4 specialists connected with I.L.O. 21 specialists connected with F.A.O. 8 specialists connected with U.N.E.S.C.O. 11 specialists connected with I.C.A.O. 18 specialists connected with W.H.O. 101

Aid from U.N.I.C.E.F. has been entirely used for the purchase of D.D.T., powdered milk, soap, medicines, etc. The Government paid their share for membership in the various specialised agencies, as well as a sum of 2,561,763 Afghanis, $4,400, £1,500, and 5,000 Pakistani Rupees for the administrative expenses of U.N.T.A.B. Another sum of 3,456,000 Afghanis was also paid by the Government for the local expenses of the United Nations specialists. In 1958 the United Nations Organisation arranged the establishment of a special fund to give assistance in the developmental projects of the underdeveloped countries. Afghanistan accepted membership of the Fund and undertook to pay the $6,000 annual fees. Two requests have been made to the Fund for their assistance— (a) in the preparation of population and agricultural statistics in 1960, and (b) in the survey of water resources and agricultural land. The United Nations Organisation also set up an organisation for international administrative services (O.P.E.X.). This new organisation places its specialists at the disposal of governments as executive officials and not as advisers. Afghanistan requested eleven such officials for the departments of population, statistics, agriculture, planning, communications and mines and industries. But as the organisation is new the responsibilities of these executive officials have not yet been clearly defined, and they enjoy diplomatic immunity, in spite of having complete executive authority in Government departments. It seems to be wrong from the viewpoint of public administration principles to hold an office and exercise complete authority, and yet not be responsible. Afghanistan has therefore made her request for help from this organisation conditional on the responsi- bility of its administrators to the Afghan Government. B. I.C.A. The technical assistance rendered to Afghanistan by the International Co-operation Administration of America in the year 1958 amounted to $2,850,000, which was made up as follows :— $ 1. For agricultural projects ... 279,000 2. For mineral and industrial projects ... 190,000 3. For communication projects : Road improvements $32,000 Transportation ... 307,000 Transit project ... 22,000 361,000 4. Public Health ... 5,000 5. H.V.A. ... 76,000 6. For Educational projects: Institute of Technology $127,000 School of Agriculture 96,000 Institute of Education 462,000 Faculty of Agriculture & Engineering 335,000 Kabul University... 55,000 1,075,000 7. For Public Administration... 79,000 8. For other projects ... 785,000 Grand Total $2,850,000 Assistance from an I.C.A. Special Fund to Afghanistan amounted to $23,743,000, for the following projects :— $ Agricultural projects ... 50,000 Road improvement ... 175,000 Civil aviation ... 175,000 Transit ... 18,993,000 Public health (H.V.A.) ... 100,000 Aerial photography ... 1,150,000 102

103 A mountain torrent in the Greater Pamir

Technical sports ... 100,000 Development of H.V.A. resources ... 3,000,000 $23,743,000 The Ministry of Planning has obtained official permission to secure a loan of 25,000,000 dollars from the U.S. Development Loans Fund. This Fund has been recently established to help in the economic development of under-developed countries by providing loans to individuals and organisations without government backing. The money lent is repaid in the borrowing country's currency. C. WEST GERMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC As a result of a Technical Assistance Agreement concluded with the Government of the West German Federal Republic on January 30th, 1958, the said Government is helping Afghanistan in technical schools, in providing fellowships, in geological survey, in the establishment of an office for the economic use of water resources and experimental workshops. The amount of money involved is around four million German marks. On the basis of this agreement, so far the following specialists are busy at work in Afghanistan:— 2 teachers at Kabul School of Mechanics. 2 teachers at Kabul Handicrafts School. 2 teachers at Kandahar School of Mechanics. 1 plant-specialist for the Booto Co. (Medical Herbs Co.). 1 specialist for sorting of cotton. Two delegations are at present working with the Ministry of Mines and Industries in geological and hydrological research. Some scholarships have been awarded to Afghan students for higher education in Germany. The survey of the Kokcha River, to cost approximately $160,000, has also been promised. A few economic advisers will also shortly be placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Planning. D. FRENCH AID On the basis of the 1958 Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement signed with the French Government, that Government has undertaken to send the following specialists to Afghanistan:— 1 chief engineer for the Ministry of Public Works. 4 specialists for the Ministry of Mines and Industries. 2 specialists for agriculture. 1 chemist for the Ministry of Public Health. A six-man group is already conducting radio-activity research in Afghanistan in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Industries. E. JAPANESE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE There is a strong possibility that a technical assistance agreement may be signed with Japan. At the moment, the Japanese Government has expressed its willingness to offer a few scholarships to Afghan students and to place some specialists at the disposal of Afghanistan under Japan's Technical Assistance Programme to Middle and Near Eastern Countries. Two Japanese experts have been requested for the Kargha dam and canal work near Kabul. F. CZECHOSLOVAK TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The loans given to Afghanistan by the Government of Czechoslovakia for the Afghan economic ventures have been helpful. As a result talks are going on between the two Governments for the signing of a Technical Assistance Agreement, the conclusion of which is expected shortly. FROWDE & CO. (PRINTERS) LTD., LONDON, S.E.1