A number of MPs in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) on Saturday slammed government for not implementing the “Consolidating National Unity Plan” that was outlined by a parliamentary delegation to decrease tension between protesters and government.
A number of MPs complained that more than a week had passed since the plan had been outlined but that only sections of the two articles had been implemented.
Bringing fundamental reforms in security institutions, removing suspicious elements from within security forces and also conducting comprehensive investigation into the shooting of protestors at the recent Kabul rally were the key recommendations included in the plan.
Following the deadly truck bombing in the capital on May 31 and the subsequent shooting of protesters by security forces in downtown Kabul, angry protesters carried out a sit-in protest and said they would continue to do so until their demands were met.
In addition to tensions between the protesters and government, the relations between Jamia-e-Islami party and government also deteriorated. On the back of this parliament formed a 34-member delegation to mediate between protestors, Jamiat-e-Islami and government.
The delegation then outlined a plan to end the tension, but now after more than a week, some members of the delegation said government has shown little interest in implementing the plan outlined by the delegation.
“Unlike the past, this time we hope that government considers parliament’s plan and works on it. Because the issue is very important and crucial to Afghan people,” a member of the delegation, Fatima Aziz said.
However, some other members of the delegation have a different points of view in this regard.
“The protesters removed a few tents and said we did this because we do not want to create problems for the people. So they did not respect parliament's plan while government has accepted two big issues. One was a National Day of Mourning and the other was suspending the Kabul garrison commander and Kabul police chief and introducing them to the Attorney General's Office,” said Obaidullah Barikzai, another member of the parliamentary delegation.
The Presidential Palace has not commented in this regard, but protesters said if government does not address their demands, they will continue their sit-in protest.
“All the tents have been removed, except the central one. But still we do not feel any pressure from parliament on government to implement the plan outlined by the delegation,” Haroon Motarif, a member of the leadership team of protesters said.
“Suspending the jobs of the Kabul garrison commander and Kabul police chief is not enough and we think this is just to deceive people. We want the judicial institutions to identify the person who ordered fire on protesters and he should be introduced to the people,” said Parwani, spokesman of the Uprising for Change Movement.
Meanwhile, the Wolesi Jirga delegation on Saturday night met with members of Jamiat-e-Islami party.
Jamiat-e-Islami spokesmen did not comment about the meeting, but sources said the party insists its demands need to be met by government.
“Leader of Jamiat-e-Islami party said they will stand by their people and if parliament members can play any role in resolving the tensions, they will accept it,” a member of the parliamentary delegation, Mohammad Reza Khoshak Watandost said.