Electoral crisis hits hard businesses in Khost

KHOST City (Pajhwok): Residents of southeastern Khost province on Thursday complained the electoral tension had rendered many people jobless besides increasing insecurity.

They asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to announce results from the disputed presidential election in order the political crisis could be subsided.

The vote audit process has already finished days ago, but the two presidential candidates remain reluctant to implement the agreement they signed last month on forming a national unity government.

A resident of the Zazi Maidan district, Allauddin, told Pajhwok Afghan News business activities had slowed down due to the prolonged election process.

A mason by profession, the resident complained he was unable to find work these days because residents had stopped construction works. “The joblessness resulted from the dispute between the two candidates,” he said.

His colleague, Gulbut Khan, said he found work for a day or two during an entire month, saying the election deadlock and recent insecurity had a negative impact on businesses and people’s lives.

“We demand both the candidates urgently solve their differences and work for peace and stability,” he added.

A power generators seller in Khost City, Nasratullah, said he had invested millions of afghanis in his business but the sale was zero.

“We have been paying shop rent from our own pocket for the last few months, because of no sales,” Nasratullah added.

Wahiddulllah, who deals in auto rickshaw tyres, said he was compelled to close his business if the situation continued. He asked the candidates to set aside differences and let the IEC announce the results.

mds/ma

Visits: 0