Dostum backers block highways in Takhar

TALOQAN (PAN): Hundreds of Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum’s supporters blocked the Takhar-Kunduz and Takhar-Badakhshan highways for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, officials said.

The protesters asked the local administration to appoint members of Mujahideen to government positions. If their demand was not met, they would continue their protests, they warned.

A member of the provincial council, Haji Jamshid, claimed Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi had urged Mujahideen Council head Perum Qul to halt the protests.

Jamshed, a member of Junbish-i-Milli, complained Ibrahimi had failed to keep his promise to check vacant positions in the province and send a parliamentary team to the province.

They had resumed demonstrations after the speaker’s failure to honour his commitment, Jamshed.

“We call for the governor’s replacement with a member of the Mujahideen Shura,” demanded another protestor, Qari Bismillah, who also sought greater say for the Mujahideen Shura and the Junbish Millie in the government.

All people were entitled to be appointed to government institutions, said the governor’s spokesman, Syed Suleiman Muradi. The demonstrations were being staged in support of Dostum, he added.

Participants of the rally chanted slogans in support of Dostum, said the Takhar police spokesman, Khalil Aseer. The protesters should not create problems for passengers, he concluded.

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