Provincial Council Elections

Deputy secretary alleges Ghazni PC of inefficiency

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): An anti-militancy and toy gun campaign launched by provincial council members, civil society activists and children has ended on Saturday in southeastern Paktia province.
Wadan Afghanistan Party (WAP) launched the campaign in the province in which children broke their toy guns and picked up books and pens instead in a move to express hatred for guns and fighting.

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Hundreds of residents in central Bamyan province on Saturday took to the street against the killing of 24 Afghan Local Police (ALP) members by rebels and criticized the government for what they alleged demonstrating negligence.
At least 30 militants and 25 ALP have been killed and 18 other rebels wounded in Kabul-Bamyan Highway and clashes in central Maidan Wardak province on Friday.
The ALP forces also lost control of 12 security posts. However, security officials said Afghan forces regained control of all 12 posts in Jalrez district

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): The Khost-Gardez Highway in southeastern Paktia province will be opened for traffic by the end of this year, officials said on Thursday.
The construction of the 105 kilometers long highway has been delayed for last seven years due to certain reasons.
Eng. Abdullah Durrani, director public health, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 88 km long road had been completed and construction work on the remaining 17 km had been kicked-off.

TARINKOT (Pajhwok): Provincial Council in central Uruzgan province on Wednesday observed that lukewarm approach to tackle residents’ grievances have created gulf between people and government.
Uruzgan provincial council has nine members. Due to differences between members, the council elected its administrative board six months after being sworn-in.
Abdul Karim Khademzai, provincial council secretary, in an interview with Pajhwok Afghan News claimed some local officials had established private prisons where people were tortured.

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): As many as 600 internally displaced families in southern Helmand province demanded their registration to get their due share of rights, an official said on Thursday.
Mohammad Nadar Watanwal, director labor and social affairs, told Pajhwok Afghan News the number of injured and disabled by the conflict had been increased during this year.
More than 440 disabled persons and 134 bereaved families had registered in last three months alone. The number had increased since the lives of civilians had been completely neglected in the ongoing war, he said.

MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): A public representative on Thursday accused an Afghan Local Police (ALP) commander of running a private jail and torturing people there in the Jalrez district of central Maidan Wardak province.
Sharifullah Hotak, a member of the provincial council, said the ALP commander, Karim, was involved in torturing local residents in his private jai, forcing many families to flee homes for other areas.

MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): Construction work on three roads has been initiated in first Kohistan district in central Kapisa, which would be completed with a cost of $12 million, an official said on Thursday.
Abdul Fatah Shafiqu, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News that construction of 100 kilometers long road would connect first Kohistan, second Kohistan and Kohband districts with each other.
The transit road which would have four link roads in first Kohistan would be ready for traffic this year, he added.

Construction work on 3 Kapisa road kicked-off

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): A number of Afghan Local Police (ALP) in Balabuluk district in western Farah province joined Taliban ranks, an official confirmed.
The number of deserters has reportedly stood between five to 20. Iqbal Baher, Farah police spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News 13 ALP personnel, including their commander Sher Aqa, joined Taliban on Tuesday night in Grani locality.
He did not go into details but Farid Bakhtawar, provincial council head, said at least 15 local policemen have joined Taliban and taken away their arms with them.