Afghanistan's only female governor has become so disillusioned with her role that she is considering quitting the position in six months.
Habiba Sarabi told The National substantial improvements in the central province of Bamiyan have been few during her tenure because the international community failed to give her ideas long-term backing.
She also warned that US and Nato-led forces "have to change their policies" across the country if they want to regain the trust of the population.
"Always the international community is raising the voice of women's rights," she said. "But, practically, when I request some support from them to get more projects it's very difficult.
"Of course politically they are supportive, but financially it's very difficult, and I have to lobby a lot for that."
Mrs Sarabi was appointed governor of Bamiyan in 2005 after serving as minister for women's affairs in the interim administration of Hamid Karzai, the president. She took up the role willingly, believing she could help spearhead development in one of Afghanistan's poorest provinces.
Today, however, Mrs Sarabi, 50, a native of Ghazni, in eastern Afghanistan, is visibly frustrated as she finds herself facing growing discontent from local people.
"Some of them are telling me that they expected a lot from me, that as a female governor maybe the international community would support me a lot. But now they are angry with me," she said.
Although it is among the country's safest areas, signs of reconstruction are few in Bamiyan. The main road used by visitors from Kabul is not paved, making what should be a relatively short and easy journey - about 200 kilometres - long and arduous. Other supply routes are only just undergoing development.
Farmers frequently complain they cannot sell their crops locally or transport them to other parts of Afghanistan.
Mrs Sarabi also said she has spent three years trying to get funding for an urban master plan that would help develop basic infrastructure here.
"Unfortunately, some of the aid is just kind of a temporary solution for the poor people, but I think it's better to do some fundamental work to remove the poverty," she said. "For example, if we can distribute aid to the people ? it will be a solution for one week. We have to [find] the root of hunger."
Mrs Sarabi accused the international community of being too focused on southern and eastern Afghanistan, where the insurgency is fiercest. Now security is slowly deteriorating in Bamiyan as unrest in the neighbouring provinces of Baghlan and Maidan Wardak begins to spill over.
The governor said she had received threats "several times" and revealed that some elders are calling for two notorious officials from elsewhere in the country to be offered her job. Meanwhile, local militiamen continue to cause trouble.
"Of course working in a society like Afghanistan, which is a male-dominated society and a post-conflict society, is very difficult," she said.
"Especially the warlords and the former commanders who had control over this area and wanted still to keep their power - sometimes they are making problems."
Mrs Sarabi, who has three children, lived in Kabul during the Soviet occupation and the ensuing civil war. She moved to Pakistan during the Taliban regime and, like many Afghans, had high hopes after the US-led invasion.
@Email:csands@thenational.ae
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
Started: 2019
Founders: Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Daniel Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $2.45 million
Current number of staff: 86
Investment stage: Pre-series B
Investors: Investcorp, Liberty City Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Primal Capital, Wealthwell Ventures, FHS Capital, VN2 Capital, local family offices
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Islamic Architecture: A World History
Author: Eric Broug
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Pages: 336
Available: September
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Read more about the coronavirus
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
More on Quran memorisation:
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now