People's Message
Referring to the problems facing the province, especially the drought in the past five years, the Leader added that our friends in Afghanistan should comply with their commitments to supply water to the region, IRNA reported.
"We expect Afghanistan to respect the rights of Iran and the residents of Sistan-Baluchestan Province to Hirmand River water and the issue will be followed up seriously by the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that despite its capable manpower and natural potentials, the province is still faced with great problems.
"However, all the existing difficulties will eventually be solved with further efforts of the officials along with close cooperation of the loyal and committed provincial people and a bright future is predicted for the province," he added.
The Leader attributed the deep religious beliefs, culture and knowledge of the provincial people to the presence of the prominent scholars and scientific-cultural figures in the history of the region. Lauding the bravery of the martyrs from Zabul and other provincial areas, the Leader added, "The youth should further attempt to keep vigilance and identify the enemies, since the constant participation of people is indispensable."
Expressing his regret over the obstacles banning the education and social activities of women and girls in the area, he said that there is no difference between men and women in Islam.
"Everyone should contribute to the education and social activities of women and girls, especially their parents, to help the Islamic Revolution benefit from their great capabilities," he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed the strong opposition of the Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf states to the U.S. presence in the region and said that the world superpower intends to justify its presence in the region under the pretext of democracy in a bid to secure its own interests.
"Is the U.S. ignorance of the public opinion in the region a respect for democracy or is it hypocrisy?" the Leader asked. Referring to the will of nations as the only means to resist the global dictatorship, he stressed, "The Iranian nation will keep on resisting the enemies through unity and deep faith."
Before delivering his speech, the Leader was welcomed by Zabul Friday prayer leader, Hojjatoleslam Bayani, who reaffirmed the loyalty of the provincial people to Islam and the leadership and briefed Ayatollah Khamenei on the difficulties of the area.
According to reports coming here from Zabul, the Leader was accorded an unprecedented warm welcome by thousands of citizens in the streets of the city.
The Leader also inspected the Hirmand River, the water reserves known as Chahnimeh, Zehak Dam and the irrigation networks in the Kahak border area northeast of Sistan-Baluchistan on Sunday morning.
During the inspection, ministers of the interior and agricultural jihad and provincial officials briefed Ayatollah Khamenei on the measures taken in the area to remedy the shortage of water and to implement the projects currently underway.
Referring to the sensitivity of the Kahak area, the Leader underlined the need for further efforts to be taken to increase water supply for irrigation purposes and to provide fresh water to the area.
Stressing the special geographical situation of the area, he pointed out that the setting up of the Chahnimeh water reserves is the best way to tackle the shortage of water in the area.
Three Chahnimehs with a capacity of 660 million cubic meters have already been constructed in the Zabul border area, which not only supply the fresh water requirement of Zabul, the surrounding villages and part of Zahedan but also irrigate 45,000 hectares of cultivated lands in the area.
Once the fourth Chahnimeh, with a capacity of 820 million cubic meters which is currently under construction is completed, it will supply the water required to irrigate 18,000 hectares of cultivated land in the area.