Paroon (PAN): People of the restive Nuristan demanded the government should take stringent measures to improve deteriorated security and flush out insurgents from parts of the province.
People demand creation of more job opportunities, implementation of rehabilitation projects, construction of roads and equal opportunities of higher education both for male and female.
Amanullah Inayat-ur-Rahman, provincial council deputy head told Pajhwok Afghan News Nuristan was a neglected province because security agencies did not have writ in the province. “Insecurity halts most development projects in the province. Nuristan has no infrastructure like that of a province and even the governor house is not safe,” he remarked.
He informed Naugram is the only district where government employees attend their offices while staff of rest of the districts lives in the capital, Parun.
He informed several district chief officers didn’t return to their duty stations because of insecurity, adding that most of the areas were turned into buffer zones between government and armed groups.
“The central government needs to take measures to improve the chaos and lawlessness and rehabilitate the people of the province,” he remarked.
Shaikh Al Qura’n Khuda Dad, a resident of Parun said the rehabilitation projects in the province were not up to the satisfaction of the people and the government was needed to increase the number of development projects.
He said people were deprived of comfortable transportation services because the roads were in dilapidated conditions in the entire provinces. He said construction of roads would bring development and like the districts with the capital city.
Khatirah, member of provincial council said government department have no buildings in the province, adding that many offices were established and serving in rental houses. Coming down hard on the government, she said government was equally responsible for the continued state of human rights violation in the province.
She called on government to establish schools and university for women in the province.
“Few women are there in Nuristan province who studied up to 14th.” She added.
She said students were being taught in schools without formal curriculum, adding that the government had failed to reopen the closed schools.
Sameer Aqa, resident of Du Ab district said 80% schools were forced to be closed down in the district due to insecurity while the relevant quarters failed to ensure law and order.
He went on to say that breeding cattle was the profession of people, a known source of income of the dwellers of the province.
He asserted Nuristan province was rich in minerals and precious stones which tend to create employment opportunities if government takes measures to tap them effectively.
Fakhruddin, a former member of armed opposition groups alleged government failed to fulfill the promises held out with insurgents prior of laying down their arms.
He said government had turned deaf ear to launch rehabilitation projects elsewhere in the province, adding that government did not extend the direly needed support despite pouring in foreign aid.
“The government must provide employment for us” he demanded.
Gul Hassan, a disabled villager said despite allocation of seats in government institutions for handicapped, no one could be hired with the exception of few teachers.
Hamid-ur-Rahman, a student of Pashto department at pedagogical institute said education system was extremely pathetic in the province. In his chat with Pajwok Afghan News, he said government should take serious steps to beef up education sector by hiring experienced and talented staff.
“Graduates be given chances to teach in school and colleges in order to meet teachers shortage in the province,” he suggested.
He claimed insecurity and mayhem was getting momentum in the province day by day posing serious threat to country’s security.
It merits mention that the province has immense geo-strategic importance with its location to the northeast of the country and bordering Pakistan.