Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) on Sunday said that the country’s National Security Council (NSC) has approved the plan for the demilitarization of some units of the Afghan National Police (ANP) in principal, but the plan has yet to be finalized.
 
The interior ministry said the current structure of the ALP had been defined for temporary purposes and with the passage of time, these forces would be merged with the Afghan National Police (ANP).
 
“The local police is a temporary force within the structures of the ministry of interior, whenever their mission is ended, we will try to merge those eligible in the ranks of the national police force,” said MoI spokesman Najib Danish.
 
Meanwhile, the move has been met by mixed reaction in parliament.
 
“If the intention behind the move is honest and the decision is away from all sorts of ethnic discrimination and party affiliation, then it is a positive sign,” said MP Abdul Wadoud Paiman.
 
But the ministry of interior insists that it is trying to move the police force more in the direction of its fundamental duty which is implementing rule of law rather than participating in combat missions.  
 
The MoI believes that the plan will help to improve the situation in the country and implement the law in society.
 
But, some senators argue that with the consideration  of the situation in the country, there is a need for the Afghan National Police (ANP) to keep its combat forces.
 
“It is very regrettable as we continue to face war in every district and province across the country,” said senator Lailuma Ahmadi.