KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga speaker on Monday said inviting reconcilable militants to peace talks and fighting against terrorists were the main demands of parliamentarians and the nation at large. He urged the government to heed the calls with a sense of urgency.
Addressing the joint sitting of the parliament, Abdur Rauf Ibrahimi, said conducting Wolesi Jirga and provincial council elections, nomination of full-time senior officials, particularly the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Ministry of Defense (MoD) heads, were long-awaited decisions the government had yet to take.
Devising an effective security strategy, equipping security forces, utilising the services of public uprising groups and former mujahideen in eliminating rebels, reevaluating the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) and working out comprehensive military and economic plans for Brussels and Warsaw conferences are urgent needs of the country, he added.
The speaker also called for a decisive drive against corruption, narcotics and addiction, creating plans for ameliorating poverty and reducing joblessness, reviewing the performance of the High Peace Council (HPC), addressing Afghan refugees’ problems were other issues that needed government’s attention.
The speedy trial of cases of terrorism, handing them punishment under the law, ending the culture of impunity, adherence to the rule of law in government offices, particularly in judicial organs, and implementing and honouring the promised the government had held out to the nation were also the parliament’s demands, he continued.
Ibrahimi condemned Tuesday’s suicide attack in Kabul. “We want our executive organs to investigate the incident and reveal the identities of the perpetrators to the nation.” At least 64 people were killed and 347 others injured in the attack. (Pajhwok)