Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: As security, economic, and political crises are deepening, different voices are being raised to overcome the plethora of challenges, which is a cause of concern to the entire nation and the international community. To know what some prime movers from the former government think about the current situation and what they think could be the effective way out, Afghanistan Times conducted a brief interview with Shahzada Massoud, a former advisor to ex-President Hamid Karzai, and Pacha Khan Zadran, a former lawmaker, on Sunday.
Shahzada Massoud, said that calling a Loya Jirga is the only solution to the problems faced by people of Afghanistan.
He said the leaders of the National Unity Government (NUG) have failed in fulfilling their promises.
Massoud said that insecurity mounted after formation of the NUG, adding that the government also failed to address economic and political crises.
“Leaders of the NUG—President Ashraf Ghani and the Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah— have agreed to convene a Loya Jirga within two years to amend constitution and create position of acting prime minster. However, calling constitutional Loya Jirga is not possible, because the Wolesi Jirga’s tenure has officially ended and we don’t have district councils so far,” he said.
Masoud said that people urge the government to convene a traditional Loya Jirga to find a solution to current crises. “Throughout the history Loya Jirgas have proved helpful in bringing the country out of crises,” he added.
He urged Afghans to remain united and said that unity is the only key to success.
Pacha Khan Zadran, said that leaders of the NUG failed to fulfill the promises that they had made with people of Afghanistan during 2014 presidential campaigns. “The two leaders are busy in appointing members of their teams in high positions,” he added.
He said that mounting challenges have widened distance between people and the government. “Thus, the only remedy to the current crises is to convene traditional Loya Jirga,” Zadran added.
“If the government is not ready, then people should come to the fore to convene Loya Jirga and find a way out to current challenges,” he added.
He said that the government should respect whatever decision the Loya Jirga takes.
Zadran added that they don’t have enmity with the government, but their concerned about stability of Afghanistan.
In the meantime, a member of the Mesrano Jirga, Zalmai Zabuli, called on the government to convene Loya Jirga immediately in order to overcome current crises.
