MPs assail Fazl over pro-insurgency remarks

KABUL.

Fazl, the chief of his own faction of Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI-F), on Friday met President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in Islamabad. Fazl reportedly said peace could not be achieved in Afghanistan in the presence of foreign troops.

A lower house member from northeastern Badakhshan province, Zakria Soda, said Maulana Fazl’s remarks were clear interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

He urged the house not to stay silent over the JUI-F leader’s remarks and show reaction in this regard.

“If the insurgency in Afghanistan is really legitimate then Afghanistan ulema should issue a decree, otherwise give a response to Fazl Rahman,” he said.

First deputy speaker, Siddique Ahmad Osmani, who presided over the session, he strongly condemned Fazl Rahman’s remarks about Afghanistan on behalf of the lower house.

He called on the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ulema Council and the authorities concerned to give a befitting response to the Maulana.

“If no reaction is showed, we will discuss it in an exclusive gathering to make our own decision,” Osmani said.

Lawmaker Manawar Bahaduri from western Herat province said former president Hamid Karzai had visited Pakistan more than 20 times, but there had been no positive outcome.

“President Ghani should not have travelled to Pakistan, which if really facing terrorism should tell Afghanistan that it is with you in crushing the terrorists,” said the MP, who said Pakistan had never been an honest friend.

However, he said President Ghani should try to gain something from his visit to Pakistan.

His colleague from eastern Kunar province, Mohammad Saleh, said he was against president Ghani’s visit to Pakistan. He said the president should have first resolved the issue of acting ministers before leaving for the neighbouring country.

“We are facing problems in the Cabinet due to the acting ministers. As long as we do not develop a system at home, we cannot convince the world to support us.”

But a lawmaker from eastern Nangarhar province, Mirwais Yasini, said both Afghanistan and Pakistan were victims of terrorism and both the countries should take great advantage from the president’s visit.

“I expect much from the visit that it would yield positive results for Afghanistan because we need peace in our country and so Pakistanis in their country. The promises made during the trip should be practically implemented by both the sides,” Yasini said.

Osmani suggested the Afghan president should adopt a tough stance over the issue of insecurity in Afghanistan with the Pakistani leadership in order  it produced positive outcome.

He said the issue of acting ministers should be resolved soon after President Ghani’s homecoming.

ma

Visits: 7