In the post-withdrawal Afghanistan, it is not just the security capability of Afghan forces that is a matter of concern; rather the funding of Afghan forces is also a matter of serious concern. Afghan economy is not stable enough to provide for the expenditures of its troops. The basic infra-structure within the country is not strong enough to shoulder the burden of a strong army and may not be able to do so for at least another decade.
It is really important that the funding must be provided by the international community to maintain its army so that it would be able to face the growing challenges of security. US has been providing most of the expenditure so far and, as per promises, would continue to do so even after 2014 when the international troops are due to withdraw from the country.
However, the country would again be in need of funds so as to keep its forces functional. According to NATO estimations the annual cost of maintaining Afghan security forces will be some $4 billion, and the US expects a contribution of at least 1 billion euros (1.3billion) from other NATO allies and partners. But, arranging the amount for as long as the Afghan forces are capable of standing on their own completely and Afghan economy is capable enough to fund its forces is a very difficult task.
The recent international economic disturbances have had influences on Europe and US and they would be facing many difficulties ahead. If they go for their priorities, they would be definitely looking for the problems at home; rather than the issues in Afghanistan.
NATO in recent meeting in Brussels has claimed that a sort of consensus would be reached by NATO members soon regarding their strategy in post-withdrawal Afghanistan. However, NATO has also mentioned that it would seek contributions from every possible way.
Therefore, NATO's Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in the Brussels meeting has mentioned, "We would welcome financial contributions from Russia, China and other countries to ensure a strong sustainable Afghan security beyond 2014." It is interesting to see how China and Russia would respond to this request. Russia and China both understand the importance of Afghanistan and their role in Afghanistan; however, they would have their reservations once the support has to be spent through NATO.
There are clear indications that funding and achieving sustainable peace and tranquility in Afghanistan after 2014 would be a very difficult task. Major contributions and a lot of hard work would be required to have a sustainable growth in Afghan economy so that it would stand on its own.
With myriads of concerns ahead, Afghan officials believe that investing in mining sector may boost Afghan economy to a great extent. Reports show that Afghanistan has about 3 trillion dollars of mineral resources, which can be of great support for Afghan economy if excavated and utilized properly.
The main minerals of Afghanistan include copper, iron, cobalt, lithium, gold, mercury and some others and Afghan officials believe that they are going to attract many international investors. One of the most important mining projects in Afghanistan is Aynak Copper mine project.
The project was basically won by Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) in 2008. There are expectations that MCC is going to invest more than 3.5 billion US dollars and the project will help create many job opportunities for young Afghans. According to some estimates it would create about 4,000-5,000 job opportunities directly and thousands more indirectly.
It is really important that Afghanistan should have a stable economy and mining sector can play a key role in this regard. Decades of wars and instability have ravaged the basic infra-structure in the country and the country has been suffering because of lack of basic facilities of life.
Mining sector is one of the most important hopes for the country and can really help the country to depend on its own regarding its affairs. But at the same time it must be kept in consideration that we have to be realistic in this regard.
Only high expectations and hopes cannot make the mining sector groom and support the economic system. Proper arrangements have to be made so as to turn the hopes and expectations into reality. The mining sector is not just about digging the minerals out of the earth. It includes a complete infrastructure.
It involves complicated processes, machinery and latest technology. Above all it requires a reliable and working transportation system that must be free of risk and must prove helpful in transporting heavy equipments and human resource to the mountainous areas where minerals are located.
In addition, the same transportation system must transfer the minerals that are dug out to different plants for being refined and changed to usable conditions. The mining sector also requires strong, cheap and reliable communication system that must remain undisturbed by the culprits. As a matter of fact, for the whole process, in order to reach to its final phase, a lot of investment and a decade or more of peaceful socio-political circumstances are required. While forming expectations about mining sector, it is necessary for the government officials to keep in considerations all these facts.
In fact, there is a long journey ahead of Afghanistan before it is self-sufficient. The need of time is to figure out the strengths and weaknesses appropriately and carry out necessary actions. The international community in this regard has to show real sense of responsibility and has to make sure that more than a decade of hard work and assistance of billions of dollars are not wasted in any way.
They have to be very sure of their policies and must develop a concrete strategy regarding funding the Afghan forces beyond 2014 and at the same time must also support Afghanistan to develop its economy. However, the most important factor in this regard is an appropriate political solution to the problems and clashes within Afghan society and growth of a competent political system.