Senators in the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) on Sunday criticized central government for not taking bold steps towards resolving the security issue in the country, specifically in Chah Ab district of Takhar.

They said Chah Ab has turned into a second Aleppo due to the ongoing battles being waged by illegal armed groups. 

They said these battles between local armed groups could have a devastating effect on the entire province unless government acts to end the violence in the northern district. 

They said illegal armed groups are killing people and government is reluctant to step in.  

“Up to now more than 125 people have been martyred in one district by the illegal armed groups or drug smugglers, I want to ask how long will the suffering of our nation continue; if government does not take our problem seriously, then we should go and join our people to do something for them,” said senator Afzal Shamil.

Government has in the past assigned a task team to probe the situation in the volatile region, but senators said this did nothing to resolve the situation.  

Meanwhile, senate chairman Fazel Hadi Muslimyar said he will raise the issue with the president. 

“I will raise the issue with the president when he returns from his trip (to Kazakhstan) and ask him to find out the main reason of this issue – whether it is a party issue or a discriminatory issue,” said senate chief Fazel Hadi Muslimyar.