Afghanistan Times
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Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi-KABUL: After hours of closed door session among lawmakers and top security officials in Wolesi Jirga—the Lower House of the parliament—on Monday, a number of MPs said Pakistan has never supported the Afghan-led peace process and has never been honest in implementing in its commitments it has made in this regard.
The remarks came after six-hour discussion among lawmakers and high ranking security officials including the Interior Minister, Noor-ul-Haq Ulumi, the acting Defense Minister, Inayatullah Nazari, the Ground Forces Commander, Murad Ali Murad and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Chief, Rahmatullah Nabil, who were summoned by MPs to brief on deteriorated security situation in parts of the country, particularly northern provinces.
After the meeting, a number of lawmakers told newsmen that they were not satisfied with the explanations and answers by the security officials. They quoted the security officials, as saying that Pakistan has never helped Kabul in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The deputy speaker of the house, Zahir Qadir, said Islamabad has never cooperated with the Afghan government in bringing peace and stability in the country.
Another MP, Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, said the Pakistani government has taken no step to bring the Taliban to the table of negotiations. “Pakistan has not given up its duel-faced policy towards Kabul and from its enmity with Afghans,” he said.
He blamed interference of Pakistan and formation of Daesh militants by secret hands as key factors behind growing insecurity in the country. “Thousands of unknown men have infiltrated into the northern provinces to take part in attacks against security forces. These men are not popular with local languages,” he added.
He said the enemy is perusing the goal to threat the Central Asia.
Zahir Qadir said that the increasing financial resources of insurgents is one of the top factors for growing insecurity, adding that according to the NDS information, militants earn at least $170 million from poppy cultivation only in southern Helmand province.
According to him, illegal mining is another financial resource of militants. Qadir said that lack of air support, shortage of land forces and withdrawal of 150,000 foreign troops from the country are behind deteriorated security situation in the country.
In the meantime, Zalmai Mujaddidi, an MP from Badakhshan, alleged the government for negligence in ensuring security countywide, and said the government is not interested and determined to defeat enemies by large-scale operations. “Several districts of northern Badakhshan province are under threat by militants. Lapis lazuli deposits are one of the main financial recourses of insurgents in the areas under their control,” he claimed.
It comes as the government leaders have termed security as their top priority and have vowed to leave no stone unturned in ensuring citizens’ safety countrywide.
