KABUL - Parliamentarians and top security officials on Wednesday met behind closed doors on increasing attacks, amid calls for replacing the heads of some security organs.
Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi, Deputy Interior Minister Abdur Rahman Rahman and National Directorate of Security (NDS) Deputy Director Ahmad Zia gave Wolesi Jirga members an in camera briefing on the situation.
The session was initially open, but was declared in camera at security bosses’ request. “We roundly condemn recent deadly attacks across the country,” Deputy Speaker Mirwais Yasini said at the start of proceedings.
He called for removing some security organs’ leaders to control the ongoing wave of terror, though the people firmly stood behind their armed forces in dealing with the situation.
The insurgents, having failed to fight against the security personnel, conducted a suicide attack on civilians in the heart of Kabul on Tuesday, the deputy speaker remarked.
A day earlier, 17 people were killed and 39 others wounded when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the Supreme Court in the heavily-fortified capital. Women, children and court employees were among the casualties.
Shakiba Hashimi, a public representative from southern Kandahar province, endorsed Yasini’s call for top-level changes in security institutions. She voiced her deep concern at the recent wave of attacks.
Her colleague from Kabul, Shukria Barakzai, claimed: “The assaults are being conducted at the behest of Afghanistan’s enemies. Down with the elements who are not committed to their nation.”
In order to ensure a solution to the problem, she also stressed the need for changing senior security officials.
Another lawmaker from Kabul, Obaidullah Kalimzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News explanations offered by the authorities were unacceptable. “A vacuum may arise if we summon them at a time when security conditions are bad and elections at hand.”
Arian Yoon, an MP from Kandahar, observed closed-door discussions on the problem were an improper approach to a subject of great national importance. “Their arguments were deprived substance. As a result, all members walked out of the house.” (Pajhwok)