4 months on, Paktia police building still in ruins

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): The provincial police headquarters building in southeastern Paktia province could not be rebuilt after being damaged in a powerful car bombing four months back.

The lack of the police compound has created many problems for the police personnel and people visiting the headquarters.

After the terrorist attack, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak visited Gardez, the provincial capital, and promised reconstruction work would be launched soon on the building and other damaged places.

However, their promises remain unfulfilled as no practical work could be launched to rebuild the facility.

A month earlier, vice chief of army staff Lt. Gen Murad Ali Murad, expressed concern about the damaged police compound during the introducing meeting of the new police chief for Paktia.

He had urged measures for rehabilitation of the police building. Murad said no work had taken place for restoration of the damaged building and other such places.

But on Monday, Paktia governor Shamim Khan Katawazi strongly criticized the MoI for not paying attention to reconstruction of the police headquarters and all destroyed areas.

“The attack was unprecedented and barbaric on the country level which killed and wounded our many compatriots but the MoI did not cooperate so far and everything remains in their initial stages,” he said.

On the other hand, Mohammad Rahman Qaderi, a public representative, said the attack not only damaged the police building but also demoralized the force.

“There is no department which performs without employees, chairs and desks and it negatively police, in fact it is very sad that no work is done so far,” Qader grumbled.

Meanwhile, Abid, a resident of Syed Karam district, who visited the police headquarters for obtaining passport, said due to the lack of a proper place and administration, the affairs took a lot of time.

He said currently, the police headquarters’ daily affairs were being done in front of the special force unit rooms.

Pajhwok tried to reach police officials for comment but police chief Gul Agha Rohani refused to comment. However, deputy police chief Nasar Ahmad Abdul Rahimzai only said no practical step had been taken so far.

“So far nothing with regard to reconstruction of the police building is carried out, and there is no place specified for the newly appointed police chief,” Rahimzai added.

Brig. Gen. Gul Mohammad Raskh, commander for 303th Spin Zar Zone police region, expressed serious concern over the issue and said efforts were underway to take measures soon.

sa/ma