Afghan assembly to mediate between gov’t, protesters

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - Parliament has intensified its efforts to mediate between the Afghan government and protesters, who are demanding fundamental shake-up in the government following a recent terrorist attack.

The protests which erupted after last Wednesday’s massive truck bombing in the diplomatic corridor that killed up to 150 people, have entered 6th day.

Up to six protesters, including a son of prominent politician, died in a clash with police on the first day of the protests on Friday.

At least three sit-in camps have been established in the capital Kabul while sporadic protests have also taken place in a number of other provinces.

The protests, backed by a number of opposition figures, are demanding resignation of the president, the chief executive and the interior and defense ministers.

Fearing a political and security crisis, parliament on Wednesday called for restraint amid critical situation in the country.

Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house), in Wednesday’s session approved a suggestion from lawmakers to form a parliamentary commission to mediate between the protesters and the government.

The house has decided to nominate one member each from 34 provinces for this commission.

“Protest is everyone’s democratic right but they should not block public roads, which affects the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people on daily basis,” Nawab Mangal, a member of parliament said.

The protests were started by local civil society activists, but following the death of a Salim Ezidyar -- son of a politician associated with the Jamiat-e-Islami party -- in clashes with police, they have evolved into politically-charged movement backed by the Jamiat and opposition parties.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, who is also an acting president of the Jamiat-e-Islami, stayed away from the ‘Kabul Initiative for Peace and Security Cooperation’ conference a day earlier to lodge his protest.

Rabbani and other Jamiat figures such as Atta Mohammad Noor, governor of Balkh province, are pushing President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to terminate his National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar, a call rejected by Ghani.

Meanwhile, the Kabul Garrison General Command has urged protesters to abstain from any gatherings or demonstration, citing the risk of terrorist attacks on large public gatherings.

According to a statement released by the KGGC, there are intelligence reports about possible suicide attacks by anti-government elements among public rallies.