KABUL (Pajhwok): Meshrano Jirga deputy chairman Mohammad Alam Ezedyar on Sunday said that the Taliban had proved they were the main reason behind continuous foreign troops’ presence in the country.
Speaking at a general session of the upper house, Ezedyar said the Kunduz conflict was launched to build up mentality for the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan.
He said the continuous presence of foreign troops was no panacea for the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Be he added eradicating sources of financing and equipping terrorists should be targeted and political, military and economic pressure exerted on circles supporting Taliban and terrorism.
“The US and NATO having a role in fighting terrorism should act upon their promises towards financing and equipping Afghan security forces. Unless our air force is not equipped, the army is not armed with heavy weaponry and economic independence is not achieved, problems of Afghanistan won’t be resolved,” he noted.
In the wake of foreign forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, he added, the Kunduz conflict was launched in such a way to build up mentality for the presence of foreign forces. “The Taliban and their supporters have shown they are the ones who pave the ground for continued foreign presence in the country.”
President Barack Obama on Thursday announced he would keep 5,500 American troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016 to train and advise Afghan security forces in fighting terrorism. Currently around 9,800 American troops are stationed in Afghanistan.
Sher Mohammad Akhundzada, a Wolesi Jirga lawmaker, said: “We are not against the presence of US troops, but we need their long-term cooperation. The US should rescue Afghanistan from the clutches of Pakistan and prevent terrorism financing in Pakistan.”
He said the Afghan people and government needed a strategic partner like the US, but added the Afghans wanted their sincere cooperation.
Farida Kochi, another lawmaker, said: “The US is financing Afghan government and the Taliban. If they don’t stop supporting certain circles in Pakistan, Afghans would rise against the US.”
The Meshrano Jirga first deputy chairman said people should understand that the fall of Kunduz city had different reasons.
He cited a recent human rights commission report that showed targeted killing and violations of people’s honours rampantly occurred.
“Looting and other heinous crimes took place couldn’t be described in words.”
He said the fact-finding commission on the fall of Kunduz should take into consideration all aspects of the incidents in its investigations, including the reports by the human rights commission.
The Taliban insurgents on September 28 overrun Kunduz city for three days before it was retaken by security forces.
Apart from causing financial and property losses, the conflict forced around 20,000 families into fleeing homes to neighbouring provinces as well as capital Kabul.
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