KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Governors’ Association on Thursday described the country’s situation as shocking, demanding a Loya Jirga to be convened to specify dates for holding parliamentary and district council elections.
Comprised of 65 former, 15 current governors and some ministers, the association said the prevailing situation in the country was choking up the nation and it was necessary to take some positive steps.
Abdul Jabar Taqwa, a member of the association and former Kabul governor, said the deteriorating security situation in the country was forcing hundreds of youth into fleeing the country on a daily basis through legal or illegal means.
He said the government should fix the economy to prevent the youth exodus and their joining of rebels.
“Our experiences demand us to suggest that a Loya Jirga should be called into session so that people’s representatives steer the country out of this situation,” he said.
“Afghanistan’s history tells us that if governments face general or administrative problems that are only resolved through people’s representatives and jirgas,” Taqwa continued.
Apart from the Loya Jirga, Taqwa said, dates for holding parliamentary as well district council elections should also be specified in order to reduce the current pressure.
“Currently Wolesi Jirga is working in acting capacity. The same status is of governors and ministers and even the leadership of the government. We should come out of this situation and should have a government with legal authority.”
According to Taqwa, the lack of authority with some governors and cracks in the government were main reasons behind insecurities, saying governors were not only responsible for signing contracts, but they were representatives of the president and should be given real authority.
He said the governors did not enjoy the authority that was established for them in the laws.
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