Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Abdullah Raps Delay in Security Pact Signing

Abdullah Raps  Delay  in Security Pact Signing

KABUL - Leading presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday warned a delay in signing the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US and freeing dangerous prisoners without court verdicts could endanger the national interest.

Addressing a news conference in Kabul, the National Coalition of Afghanistan leader urged President Hamid Karzai to explain the fate of the pact to the nation. A refusal to sign the deal and an end to global assistance would help Al-Qaeda regain its strength in the country, he said.

“I have repeatedly told the president that this issue (BSA) concerns Afghanistan’s national interest. All Afghans unanimously want their interests to be protected. A refusal to conclude the agreement imperils the national interest,” he added.

Also an ex-foreign minister, Abdullah claimed uncertainty about the accord was fuelling concerns among the people besides having a negative impact on security, the April elections and the economy. During his latest meeting with the president, he raised the concerns.

“I told the president Afghanistan has been unable over the past 13 years to achieve self-reliance, and that the government should have taken advantage of international assistance to make the country stand on its own feet,” he remarked.

He welcomed the release of innocent individuals from the Bagram jail in central Parwan province, but he disagreed with the procedure for freeing the detainees. Courts, not a government-appointed body, should decide the fate of those arrested on battlefield, he opined.

He also opposed the continuation of Abdul Salam Azimi, who had completed his constitutional tenure, as acting chief justice. The opposition leader demanded the appointment of a new chief justice. (Pajhwok)