Nangarhar rally condemns Patang’s dismissal

JALALABAD (PAN.

Last week, the lower house voted to unseat Patang as interior minister for what MPs called his failure to combat corruption and heed parliamentary summons.

However, President Hamid Karzai later took the issue to the Supreme Court, asking Patang to continue to serve as acting interior minister till further orders.

To condemn his removal, dozens of civil society activists and youth staged a protest in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, chanting slogans in support of Gen. Patang.

They accused some lawmakers of working against the national interest, claiming they mostly debated issues of their own interest. They added such MPs had nothing to do with matters of people’s welfare. They also condemned lawmaker Anwar Sadat for his anti-Pashtuns remarks.

One of the rally participants, Samiullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News lawmakers should stop promoting their own interests and instead work for the betterment of their constituents.

“These lawmakers have reached their current positions based on votes they received from the masses. Now it is their duty to set aside their personal interests and keep supreme those of voters,” he said.

At the end, the protestors issued a statement which asked both houses of parliament to take decisions in line with national interest. It said many countrymen believed Patang was sacked after he exposed some MPs making illegal demands on him.

ma/mud

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