Afghanistan Times
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By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: Members of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) of parliament on Saturday protested over air pollution in the capital and provinces, warning government to take serious actions for solution.
Scores of the parliament members marched from the gate of the parliament building to plenary hall. They carried banners, chanting slogans “we want clean air”.
Lawmakers expressed deep concerns over increasing air pollution and trashes in Kabul and other provinces, asking government to protect air in capital and provinces.
Parliamentarians called air pollution a silent killer, saying that dusty and damaged roads, low quality fuel and gas, old cars, consuming of substandard materials by factories and houses are the main factors behind high level of pollution in Kabul.
Substandard canalization system and houses, lack of greenery and standard transportation system are other challenges, which negatively impact on air condition.
“Today, a number of lawmakers staged protest over a vital challenge, which can be death threat to people,” said Speaker of the Lower House, Abdul Raouf Ibrahimi.
He said that lawmakers as representatives of people make efforts to force government for action against air pollution.
Till date, the government has failed to control air pollution in capital and provinces, thus legislators run protest to coerce the government for action, he added.
Lawmaker Abdul Qader Zazai Watandost, supporting protest over air pollution, urged the government to make visible efforts in order to control air pollution in the country.
It is pertained to mention that parliament recently summoned minister of commerce and industries, Humayon Rasa, head of National Environment Protection Agency of Afghanistan Mustafa Zahir and Kabul Mayor Abdullah Habibzai to answer to the questions of lawmakers regarding increasing of air pollution and trashes in Kabul city.
