Kabul – The Afghan government has adopted a five-year development plan called the “Development Strategy,” describing it as a comprehensive document to achieve the country’s major strategic goals. However, Afghan experts and analysts believe that despite its official comprehensiveness, the plan lacks the essential elements for implementation and may be more political in nature than a practical project responding to the urgent economic and social needs of the Afghan people.

On August 26, the Afghan government spokesman, Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, announced during a press conference at the government media center that the Taliban leadership had approved the document, considering it a comprehensive, unified, and long-term strategy spanning five years.

Mujahid explained that the plan was based on internal capabilities and resources and aims to unify all government institutions under one path for effective development management.

The plan is based on three main pillars:

It includes 10 key sectors, including economy and agriculture, natural resources and energy, transport and communications, education, health, and environmental protection, in addition to 15 priority programs covering governance, security, economy, social development, and investment in local resources.

Mujahid confirmed that the document defines the vision for development in the country, provides a unified framework to coordinate the work of ministries and Taliban administrations, achieve effective resource use, and improve the management of economic and social projects.

The plan covers multiple sectors such as education, health, and social development, but observers noted that the official document did not explicitly address other issues such as girls’ education and women’s right to work.

At the press conference, Mujahid said, “Girls’ education is a secondary matter,” and analysts see the absence of these issues as a fundamental gap in any development plan, especially since more than half of society—women—are deprived of education and work opportunities. They point out that continued neglect of these files could hinder economic and social growth and increase the country’s reliance on foreign aid.

Economists say the success of the plan depends on the ability to improve financial resource management, effectively invest local potentials, support small and medium enterprises to create sustainable jobs, develop agriculture, energy, and infrastructure sectors to ensure long-term economic growth, and achieve food security through improved agricultural production and fair resource distribution.

In this context, economic expert Bashir Dudyal told Al Jazeera, “Without clear policies to support trade, investment, and encourage women’s participation in the labor market, economic growth potential will remain limited. The government needs practical plans based on efficient use of local resources and stimulating innovation in productive sectors.”

Analysts warn that the absence of clear plans, in addition to restrictions on women’s work, may limit the economy’s growth capacity and lead to Afghanistan’s continued dependence on foreign aid.

Observers believe the plan’s success depends on comprehensive political and economic reforms, including involving all segments of society, including women and girls in education and work, as well as improving relations with the international community to attract investments and development aid.

On the other hand, analysts see that the reality on the ground reflects greater challenges, and the plan lacks realistic implementation mechanisms, especially amid the absence of a clear constitution and transparency in financial resource management. The focus on major headlines without urgent solutions to unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity makes the plan more of a political project than a practical program for economic and social development.

Political analyst Aziz Maarij told Al Jazeera, “The government ignored people’s daily problems, such as creating jobs or reintegrating returnees from Iran and Pakistan, and focused on long-term goals unsupported by clear practical capabilities. The Taliban only want to reassure people that they will remain in power for the next five years, while the urgent needs of the people relate to job creation, poverty alleviation, fighting hunger, and securing housing for returnees.”

Academic Ghaus Janbaz told Al Jazeera, “The government pays no attention to establishing usual governance mechanisms such as a constitution or forming a competent and nationally legitimate government. It only focuses on consolidating its power. When we face the absence of fundamental governance elements such as legitimacy, constitution, and a clear system for managing resources and technical capabilities at the national level, what development can we talk about? Most of these statements are just propaganda.”

Other experts pointed out that the return of development aid and international investments to Afghanistan will only be possible when the Taliban carry out the reforms required by the international community, including reopening schools for girls and adhering to the conditions set by UN Security Council resolutions.

Two days before the press conference, Afghan Economy Minister Din Mohammad Hanif asked the heads of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and international relief organizations to focus simultaneously on development projects alongside humanitarian aid, aiming to create jobs and support household economies.

This official initiative reflects the government’s desire to show some cooperation with the international community despite criticisms related to transparency and the implementation mechanisms of the five-year plan.