KABUL - With a steep rise in the number of Afghans heading towards Europe, mainly due to security reasons, the alleged remarks by President Ghani have sparked furor among the Afghans after he was quoted as saying that the Afghans are turning into dishwashers by taking refuge abroad.
However, the Presidential Palace (ARG) rejected that President Ghani has insulted the Afghan workers abroad, insisting that the remarks by the President have been falsified.
Syed Zafar Hashemi, deputy spokesman to President Ghani, said the President respects all professions and jobs and his remarks during the interview were aimed at the expert and experienced Afghans who are given less opportunities when travelling to other countries.
He said President Ghani’s remarks have been falsified, specifically by certain social media users where the alleged remarks were mostly circulated.
Hashemi also added that President Ghani has urged the European countries to deal with the Afghan asylum seekers in accordance with the relevant laws of their countries.
The alleged remarks delivered by President Ghani during an interview with a German-based newspaper, sparked furor among the Afghans based in the country and abroad.
At least 146,000 Afghans have reportedly left the country during the current year, mainly due to deteriorating security situation with majority of them departing towards European countries, particularly Germany.
The considerable growth in the number of asylum seekers, Germany launched a campaign in capital Kabul last month in a bid to deter the flow refugees from Afghanistan.
Several posters appeared in the populated parts of the city today, delivering Germany’s message in both Dari and Pashto languages.
“You are leaving Afghanistan: Are you certain?” reads the message posted on one of the billboards, while a short statement posted on the Facebook page of the campaign, reads “Do not believe the rumours and false information deliberately spread by human traffickers about the allegedly easy trip and the easy life in Germany. Do not risk your lives by trying to flee to Europe. Human traffickers are criminals who are only interested in money. They don’t tell the truth and don’t care about human lives.” (KP)