Afghan President Under Fire Over Poverty

While a small elite has enjoyed unprecedented prosperity, more than half of Afghanistan's 31 million people live below the poverty line and 40 percent are unemployed. Electricity and water shortages are acute. Illicit crops like opium represent more than a third of gross domestic product. "People want jobs and security, but the government cannot provide them with either," said Akhgar. "People also complain about corruption and government does nothing about it."