KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Hundreds of tribal elders, religious and political figures from southern provinces staged a protest demonstration on Sunday against the proposed formation of a coalition government.
Over 1,000 elders from Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces gathered in Kandahar City to show their opposition to a coalition government in the country.
Haji Niamatullah, a member of Kandahar Council, said men and women in the province had participated in the presidential elections with great zeal but their votes had not been respected.
“The election process has been lingering for the past five months now, leaving people in frustration, which is no more bearable,” the public representative remarked.
He argued people had already seen the troubled history of coalition regimes in the past, suggesting the candidate with majority votes should have the right to form a new government.
Representing Zabul, Mullah Abdul Salam said leaders in Kabul were not forming a unity government; instead they had cut a power-sharing deal. “In case of such government is set up, Taliban and Hekmatyar too shall be made part of it.”
Haji Ahmad Jan, a tribal elder from Helmand, said despite threats people in his province had voted -- aspiring for peace and stability. “The enemies have taken advantage of the lingering crisis but the candidates are busy safeguarding their own interests.”
Speakers, including tribal and religious leaders, urged the international community to keep the interests of the whole Afghan nation in mind, not just the presidential runners.
A resolution was adopted, calling for respect to the people’s ballots and expressing strong opposition to the idea of a coalition government.
sks/mud
