Just minutes before a representative for the Kabul protesters, Asif Ashna, listed their demands to government, President Ashraf Ghani appealed to the public to remain calm.
The Presidential Palace said via Twitter: “After terrible days in Kabul, President Ashraf Ghani appeals for calm. We need unity to face the challenges ahead.”
This comes after over 100 people were killed in a massive truck bombing in Wazir Akbar Khan on Wednesday, followed by a further five on Friday after police opened fire on a group of demonstrators.
Manwhile, Ashna said the Kabul protesters want the leaders of the National Unity Government, President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah, to step down.
He also called for the resignation of the National Security Directorate (NDS) chief Massoum Stanekzai; for the resignation of the head of the national security council Haneef Atmar; and for the resignation of the minister of interior Taj Mohammad Jahid.
Ashna said these heads of security organizations also need to be prosecuted.
In addition, the protesters called on NATO to suppress internal and external forces working to support terrorism.
He also called on the international community to denounce Wednesday’s truck bombing and deem it a war crime.
Ashna called on other groups with demands to join their protest action. He said until their demands are met, they will continue to demonstrate.
Five people were killed on Friday during a protest march through the streets of Kabul. One of those killed was Mohammad Salem, the son of Mohammad Alam Izdyar, a Meshrano Jirga senator.
The demonstrators said Saturday they would wait for government’s response following the issuing of their demands. However, they warned they might take to the streets and march towards the Presidential Palace after Salem’s funeral service at 3pm local time Saturday.
By mid-afternoon, the crowd at Sherpur circle, in Ankara Street, in downtown Kabul, had swollen to about 2,000 and reports indicated a number of people had come in from Panjshir and Parwan provinces.
However, the Kabul Garrison commander and the deputy minister of interior on Saturday both called on demonstrators and members of the public to avoid large gatherings citing a heightened terror threat level.