https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09KABUL527_a.html
AFGHANISTAN'S PANJSHIR: THE PROVINCE THAT WORKS - PART II 2009 March 10, 07:31
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(SBU) Panjshir province is a unique success story within
Afghanistan. Having achieved unparalleled security, poppy-free
status, and solid governance largely free from corruption, Panjshir
has set the stage for further development, including roads and
mining. The Panjshiris have accomplished all of this with no
Coalition forces other than the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team
(PRT), no Afghan National Army (ANA), few NGOs, and limited
resources from Kabul. This cable addresses governance and
development in Panjshir, while Part I (reftel) addressed security
and counter-narcotics.
Panjshir appears to be largely free of corruption, and the
PRT has seen no direct evidence of provincial officials enriching
themselves through their positions. Indeed, Governor Bahlol has
cited corruption as Afghanistan's greatest problem, saying it has
led to an ineffective government that has lost the trust of the
people, ultimately strengthening the Taliban. When a PC member
appeared to possibly strong-arm a PRT contractor to enhance a
contract for a canal contract running through his property, the
governor summoned him to his office, threatening to arrest him if he
received any personal benefit from the project. Bahlol has also
advised the PRT to avoid awarding construction contracts to his
brother-in-law, a competent contractor, due to the appearance of
impropriety.