Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Sunday inaugurated the construction of Qaisar-Laman highway, an essential road that connects the countries' western region to northern provinces.

In his opening remarks at a ceremony attended by hundreds of people in provincial capital Qala-e-Naw, Ghani said the project is a key development project of Afghanistan and can play an important role in reviving the ancient silk road.

The first and second phase of 82 km of the total 233 km highway is expected to be completed within the next two and half years.

"Afghan government is committed to providing balanced development opportunities for all residents of the country including the people of Badghis province," Ghani told the audiences at the ceremony broadcasted live by a local television channel Tolo.

source: xinhua