MPs urge Ahmadzai to prioritise security

KABUL members on Wednesday asked the president to give strengthening security a priority.

At least 41 civilians, 34 security personnel and 72 insurgents have been killed during separate incidents of violence over the past five days across the country. Another 81 civilians, 47 security men and 32 rebels were injured during the period.

Lower house member from northeastern Badakhshan province Safiullah Muslim told the house that in most provinces, including Kabul, the security situation had deteriorated in recent past.

“In the past, there would have been insecurity in districts, but now the unrest has reached provincial capitals,” he said, claiming security forces in Badakhshan and a number of other provinces had weakened and were unable to maintain security.

The lawmaker urged the government to take necessary measures for strengthening security forces to reverse the tide.

Similarly, Manawar Shah Bahadri, a lawmaker from western Herat province, said insecurity had increased as compared to the past and people could not travel on highways from one province to another.

Aziza Jalis from northern Sar-i-Pul province said insecurity had increased and claimed some lawmakers were also responsible for that. “Lawmakers have forcibly appointed a number of security officials who are not professional and cannot maintain security,” she said.

MPs present at the house asked Jalis to name those parliamentarians and security officials they had appointed using their influence. But Jalis only named Sar-i-Pul MP Mohammad Hassan Sharifi Balkhabi.

Balkhabi was present and later addressed the session but said nothing about Jalis’s allegation.

First deputy speaker Sadiq Ahmad Osmai, who presided over the session, said the new government had initiated serious works in all spheres, but security was deteriorating with each passing day.

“We urge the president to listen to the advices of Wolesi Jirga members regarding improvement in security,” he said, a call echoed by a number of house members.

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