Data Gathered Date: 

Sunday, September 8, 2013 - 13:15

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): People of northern Baghlan linked greater unity among various ethnic groups as a way forward to ensure development of the province.
 A religious scholar Maulvi Muhammad Aman said division among people on ethnic basis and the rights of minority groups were the problems being confronted to the province.
He said most of the people were locked in personal rivalries and animosity, which lasted for several decades and they were in a useless competition among one another.
Many political parties such as Jamiat-i-Islami, Hezb-i-Islami and Harakat-i-Islami were active in Baghlan during war against soviet troops, he said, adding the move resulted in armed clashes among the parties, leaving many youth dead or injured.
Druing the past decade, efforts could not be intensified to address grudge among people or parties, he remarked.
Muhammad Nasim, a tribal elder from Pul-i-Khumri said some profit seeking individuals strived to misuse public aspirations, calling upon people of the province to forge greater unity among themselves to thwart the evil designs of anti-social elements.
“The government is direly needed to create awareness among people about the rule of law and their rights,” Abdullah, a school teacher said.
He said the government would not bridge the gap among people, adding Baghlanis must push authorities to promote public awareness and Islamic culture in the province.
Farishta, a civil society activist said earlier domestic income of the province being met through exploration of coalmines, Semint-i-Ghori, Ghori power and textile factories. He said now the government recently started levying taxes on factories from taxpayers in Kabul and it is unclear whether the taxpayers pay the tariff or not.
“The central administration must allow the relevant factories owners to deliver their levy to Baghlan revenue office in order to be used in economic development of the province,” she added.  
In 1356, the government was paying special concentration to Baghlan and had set up many textile and sugar factories, helping people to lead a comfortable life, she remarked. Currently, many productive resources left inactive, putting negative impacts on people’s economy, she said, asking the authorities to invest in power, gardening, and agriculture and mines sectors of the province.
Noor Bibi, a female from Baughman demanded the officials to purge judiciary from corrupt practices and replaced them with judges who should ensure rule of law and good governance. The 50-year old woman said: “Many people distanced themselves from the government at a time when they realized that authorities are not willing to address their legitimate problems,” she added.
Zarifa, a 12th grade student from Bibi Hawa High School said men and women had no equal representation in government departments, adding that women should be given greater role in government institutions.
 She said several seminars were held in the name of gender equality in parts of the province but the concerned officials miserably failed to implement women rights and ensure role of women in society.
Authorities must facilitate education opportunities to youth in peaceful environment, Jawid, another resident of Baghlan said.
He said many people were deprived of education and residents of a number of districts were working in their farm land, having no knowledge about their rights. It would be a good initiative toward developing the society, if officials concerned provide education facilities to people and inform them of their rights.
Khalid Sharifi, a student of computer science faculty of Baghlan University said the province was in grip of insecurity and boys had no access to get education. He demanded the government should adopt measures to ensure strict security because the development of every sector depended upon enhanced security and peace.