Bamyan residents want BSA signed

BAMYAN CITY (PAN.

A number of teachers and civil society representatives exchanged views on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). But some participants believed some parts of the text needed to be carefully studied, especially by legal experts.

Arifa Akbari, a civil society activist, said: “We have concerns over the delay in signing of the agreement. If it is not signed, Afghanistan will return to civil war and mayhem, which will harm women.”

She said eight active women, who extended services in the area of human rights, also participated in the meeting.

Hussain Dad Ahmadi, another civil society worker, said no participant opposed the security deal, urging the authorities to ink the pact as soon as possible. 

Civil society organisations asked local officials to convey their suggestions through Bamyan’s public representatives to central authorities and Loya Jirga participants.

Nearly 3,000 tribal elders and civil society leaders are expected to take part in the traditional gathering that will advise the government on whether or not the draft agreement should be signed.

The governor’s spokesman, Abdul Rahman Ahmadi, said the participants’ recommendations would be shared with representatives of the grand assembly hailing the province.

He said: “At the meeting, participants also discussed economic needs of Afghanistan, a possible return to civil war and keeping intact achievements of the past 12 years.”

He added 20 people, including tribal elders, were scheduled to represent the central province at the Loya Jirga.

Calling on Taliban and their allies to attend the Loya Jirga due next Thursday, President Hamid Karzai on Saturday reiterated his government’s position that the assembly would only discuss the security pact.

There have been rumors that the jirga will also discuss other issues, including a delay in next year’s landmark presidential elections in the wake of rising security risks.

The president said the April 5 presidential and provincial council elections would be held the schedule and in line with the constitution.

mm/mud

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