CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): Some residents of central Parwan province on Saturday expressed grave concern over the performance or work done by the new provincial council (PC) in the province.
But PC members say some of the work has been done and they were planning to initiate more development projects.
The PC members that emerged successful in the last year’s provincial council elections included Ghulam Bahawuddin Jilani, Abdul Matin Quddosi, Saleh Mohammad, Khwaja Mir Mohammad Azim, Asmatullah Mohammadi, Mohammad Mujib Shoresh, Mohammad Khalil Fazli, Qari Abdul Aminullah Shokori, Shams-ul-Haq Shaikhani, Maleka Mayel Zada, and Hasiba Efat.
Mir Hamdullah Munib, Abdul Zahir Salangi, Rahman Ahmadi, and Hosi Bayani are among members who served in previous terms as well.
Ghulam Bahawuddin Jilani has been elected as the council’s head, while Aminullah Shokori was named as deputy and Shams-ul-Haq Shaikhani as secretary.
Some residents of Parwan expressed concern over the performance of provincial council members.
Mohammad Sharif, a resident of Charikar, told Pajhwok Afghan News he still hasn’t seen any commendable work to be done by the council.
He said problems of road construction and potable water were immediate needs of the people that they should’ve addressed.
Najibullah Wahidi, a civil society activist, said during the campaigns the candidates had made pledges to change people’s lives in each and every aspect. “But the council still hasn’t done something appreciable.”
For instance, he said, the Hofian Sharif road in the provincial capital and lack of dormitory at Parwan University were among problems that needed to be addressed urgently.
“We are not pleased with the council’s work. We don’t expect them to work for us from their own pockets, but for development projects they should work hard with government officials,” he added.
Hashmatullah, another resident, said the council was still new and needed more time to get things done. He added the council’s members have already started joint work with authorities to resolve electricity problem of the province.
Hashmatullah was of the opinion that people should not expect big work in less time from the council.  “If there are facilities for them and they won’t work then that would be their negligence.”
Shams-ul-Haq Shaikhani, provincial council secretary, said they regained the right to oversight and evaluation of local departments which was a big achievement. He said the council was committed to thoroughly evaluate the performance of local departments.
He added the provincial council is in contact with local officials and have regular meetings with them. Shaikhani added they have also established committees to evaluate the performance of security, reconstruction and other officials.
Shaikhani said electricity sub-station project in Jabal Seraj district was halted but after efforts by provincial council members and in coordination with local officials the project was reactivated.
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