National unity govt. proposal sparks protest

QALAT (Pajhwok): Hundreds of residents of southern Zabul province on Wednesday staged a protest against the proposed formation of a national unity government, saying such a set-up was against the constitution.

Tribal leaders, youth, provincial council members and writers gathered in Qalat, the provincial capital, voicing reservations about the national unity government — a power-sharing arrangement.

One of the protestors, Mohammad Daud Gulzad, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Zabul residents were against such a government. He asked the international community to respect the Afghans’ votes.

The creation of the chief executive post was also against the constitution of the country and the Zabul people would defend their votes and would prevent implementation of illegal deals, Gulzad pledged.

Another participant and a member of the provincial council, Haji Atta Jan, said they would extend their protests and block roads if their votes were not respected.

“We braved all threats on election day and voted for our candidate; we won’t let anyone insult our votes,” he said, adding presidential candidate Dr Ashraf Ghani did not have the right to play with people’s mandate.

Later, the protestors staged a rally and blocked the Kabul-Kandahar highway for an hour.

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