By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: The Afghanistan Governors Association (AGA) expressed its concerns over outstanding challenges and asked the government to hold the traditional Loya Jirga to discuss the issues and solutions.
While expressing concerns over the prevailing situation, the former governor of Kabul and the representative of AGA, Abdul Jabar Taqwa, said that the government should seek solutions to overcome the existing challenges across the country.
On behalf of the AGA, he asked the government to call the Loya Jirga in order to discuss the problems with tribal elders, public representatives and other nobles.
The ex-governor furthered that by killing time the government would miss opportunities and the country would face more challenges. He said that foreign hands were trying to exploit Afghans for their own interests. “Therefore, there is need for wise steps to deal with such serious challenges,” he said.
Taqwa said that there was lack of coordination among provincial officials, adding that maladministration at provincial level could be one of the factors responsible for increase in insecurity in the provinces.
He said that if a governor drafted a plan, the police chief and the army commander would not follow it until they get permission from the ministries of Interior and Defense. The ex-governor proposed that the government should bring changes in the provincial administrative structure to resolve the problem.
Members of the parliament are caretakers, affairs of several provinces are run by the acting governors and some acting ministers are also part of the government. The issue of caretaker is annoying public and multiplied problems, he said, suggesting that the government should announce date for the parliamentary election.
Talking about the mass exodus, he said that young people are leaving the country due to unemployment and insecurity. Daily hundreds of young Afghans wait in queues in front of embassies to get visa while others go to Nimroz province to enter into Iran. Despite the risks, youth want to go to developed countries. He urged the government to address the issues as soon as possible.
It is pertinent to mention that the AGA is a newly established body comprised of 65 former governors, 15 new governor and three cabinet ministers.