Balkh residents stage protest against PC member

MAZR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Tens of residents of northern Balkh province staged protest against a provincial council member in front of the Finance Ministry and the presidential palace.    

Around hundred protesters came from Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, to convey their complaints to President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. 

A fiery protester Haji Shah Agha, a shopkeeper from Mazar-i-Shari, told Pajhwok Afghan News that based on an agreement with the Hajj and religious affairs department, as many as 250 people built shops on the property of the department about 40 years back and they pay 1500-60,000afs rent monthly .  

But now provincial council member Mohammad Asif Momand has given them a one month notice to vacate the shops.    

 “We are paying rent and tax to the government and earn our livelihood from our shops for our families. But now, a new member of the provincial council wants to get control of the shops,” the shopkeeper said, adding they would not vacate the shops and the issue should be settled through legal process. 

Haji Baryalai, another shopkeeper, said since 40 years they were doing their business and paying taxes to the government. “If the government wants to renew the contract then we are willing to ink a new agreement,” he remarked.

“I will defend my right to my end. They will be responsible for any outcome if they are not willing to listen to us,” he threatened.

But the provincial council member rejected all allegations and said he was not involved in the issue. “I am a provincial council member and people’s representatives do not interfere in these issues,” he argued.

Qari Hayatullah, director Hajj department, said the provincial council member had official orders from the presidency for construction of a building on that property.  

He said they were informed about the issue through a letter by the Hajj and Religious Affairs Ministry. He supported the protesters views’ and added that shopkeepers should be listened to resolve the issue amicably.

Pajhwok Afghan News could not get the version of presidency despite repeated attempts.

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