به وبلاگ عبدالقهار سرورِي ‌‌ژورناليست و نويسنده افغان خوش آمديد

New minister for counter-narcotic Zarar Ahmad Moqbel wins vote of confidence amid favor and criticism

By: Abdul Qahar Sarwari
Mr.Zarar Ahmad Moqbel who is a former Afghan interior minister and a key supporter of President Hamid Karzai during presidential election secured the overwhelming vote of Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of parliament in January and became as counter-narcotic minister in the new cabinet of president Karzai.
The reason why I have focused on Mr. Moqbel to write while there are 24 more ministers?
Really it is an important question that in spite of criticism, rumors Mr. Moqbel had been nominated as cabinet minister by the president after presidential election.
Like many other officials, Moqbel had also accused of involvement in misusing power, malpractice, embezzlement, corrupting and backing bandits. Even some lawmakers at Wolesi Jirga were against him to find way in new cabinet.
Even there were rumors that some particular western countries include UK were against Mr. Moqbel and had attempted to block Mr. Moqbel way in gaining endorsement from parliament especially to become as counter-narcotic minister .
As an Afghan writer and journalist I have decided to analyze the reason for Mr. Moqbel’s success in securing strong support from parliament and finally found that all opposition to him and rumors against him to block his way to the cabinet were based on funny and nonsense reasons such as lingual, tribal and personal differences.
Firstly the overwhelming support of MPs at lower house in favor of Mr.Zara Ahmad Moqbel changed all guesses and estimations about him and showed that he enjoys enough support among the Afghan people , even furthermore than those figures who have the control of key departments.
Secondly, Mr. Moqbel is a young, educated, intellectual and active figure who had served people in the past as interior minister and opened the new chapter for Afghan national police and its reform.
Those Afghans particularly the policemen and security officers are of the view that Mr. Moqbel is a right person and eligible to lead the interior ministry. All those who worked under his leadership in interior ministry have good memories and were relaxed with him.

Thirdly, Mr. Moqbel was an active element during Afghan Jihad against the former Soviet Union and also resistance against Taliban and terrorists, but he never was an armed commander or warlord as some people claimed. Rather he was an active figure and elder in political, cultural, logistical and administrative sections. He also had close relations with late commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Also Mr. Moqbel belongs to an important and more respected family in Parwan province of Afghanistan and this privilege has enabled him to have important role in political and social fields in Afghanistan. Mr. Moqbel enjoys the supports of a powerful network of former commanders, tribal elders, police officers and politicians.
Mr. Moqbel has also served as a key member of the political party Hizbi Jamhuri Afghanistan (Afghanistan Republican Party) and before the presidential elections this party had opposed the candidacy of president Karzai but due to Mr. Muqbil’s influence later the party backed president Karzai in the electoral process.
Keeping all these positive points and key elements, majority of Afghan people especially intellectuals believe that Mr. Moqbel will be a successful figure in his new duty as counter-narcotic minister. Nevertheless, Afghans believe that support of international community would have key role in fighting narcotics and other missions in Afghanistan.
Afghans also expect that and international community and foreign friends of Afghanistan ought to Afghanistan to look to this country and its problems through their own glasses and assessment and not on rumors speculated by vested interests.

As the supporters of Afghanistan know that Afghanistan presently is in a fragile and critical situation and any carelessness would negatively affect this country and so, it is advisable to accept truth and follow the positive way.
As it is clear for all that some tribes and sub-tribes live in several parts of Afghanistan, but if we want to have a country we should be a nation and if our supporters want to support a country and a nation, they have to support our unity and integrity.
Some circles and individuals want to divide Afghans to tribes and sub-tribes but we want to be a nation among other nations in the world.
Also some countries because of backing their own puppets and agents blame some independent Afghans but the way is not logic and useful action. End

The people of Afghanistan who have suffered due to prolonged and unnecessary conflicts and lack of confidence which are mostly the outcome of the policies of certain groups and individuals who believe in ethnic and tribal interests. That is why the people are concerned that such elements may once again come to power. The Afghans largely trust President Hamid Karzai and believe that he as a national leader can serve the nation. He works for the whole Afghans and not for a certain region and ethnic. All Afghans irrespective of their ethnic and lingual affiliation can work with the president in an understanding environment. Because of his national personality, the people of Afghanistan prefer him to remain in office for the second term. Karzai has good relations with all ethnic and tribes live in Afghanistan and works equally for the provinces and that is why he widely enjoys the support of the people. Although his administration has experienced ups and downs over the past over the past eight and has not delivered as was expected, it has made considerable achievements in several fields. Those criticize president Karzai they themselves had role in creating problems and weakening the working process of the administration in the country. Moreover, these elements directly or indirectly were parts of the administration. And even in some cases these elements sided with opposition to press the government. By the way, a lot have been done for the rebuilding of the war-torn country over the past eight years and constructing roads, highways, hospitals, schools, freedom of media, brining electricity and many more are the progress have been made during Karzai’s leadership. People by preferring Karzai and electing him for the second time want him to complete his programs for the rebuilding of the country. His good relations with the international community and his respect for the human rights, peace and justice are the factor that people prefer him to others.

The people of Afghanistan in this critical stage are in need of national unity, peace and brotherhood. Using ethnic and lingual card in this circumstance would damage the country’s unity. The war-weary Afghans who want unity and brotherhood are worrying that some by using lingual, region and ethnic card during election may damage and add to the suffering of the nation. The opportunist elements and war-mongering people over the past three decades by using lingual, religion and ethnic cards had badly damaged this country to earn money and power for themselves. The people do not want the repetition of chaotic situation of past decades in the country. And this is not wise to seed the country divided on lingual and ethnic basis. Afghanistan needs unity and by launching national programs and projects should strengthen its unity and take it towards progress. So it is for all the esteemed candidates to avoid using ethnic and lingual card which is against Islamic principles and national unity.

By: A.Q.Sarwari

No doubt, Iran has always been following a negative policy with regard to Afghanistan and the region as it often uses religion, lingual and cultural relations in negative way to create problems in the comity of nations. In the name of religion and with enmity with western powers, the leadership in Iran by using all values as instruments describe some individuals and countries as friends one time while other time term them as foes.
As we have experienced in Afghanistan, the government of Iran during the presidency of Burhanudin Rabbani it supported all the armed opposition groups and Iranian military planes landed on in west of Kabul and supplied weapons to oppositions. Moreover, the intelligence and religious circles of Iran have attempted to divide the people of Afghanistan in ethnic and religious lines to ensure their interests. Interestingly after the fall of the government of president Rabbani the Iranian government took U-turn and stood alongside it. The Iranian planes this time supplied weapons to Rabbani’s supporters in the Northern provinces and even members of Supah-e-Pasdaran or Revolutionary Guards had worked in the northern region in the name of advisors and helpers against Taliban. Further more with the collapse of Taliban regime, Iran adopted new policy and begun supporting Taliban and other insurgents against the government of Afghanistan to keep on instability in this country.
Such double standard policy indicates that Iran wants to keep on instability in Afghanistan and the region. Of course this policy of Iran has been seen in Lebanon, Iraq and other countries of the region.
In addition, Iran after the fall of Taliban regime apparently sided with the international community and contributed in the rebuilding process of Afghanistan while in fact it was in opposite side and has contributed in widening disability in this country. Iran has influenced Afghanistan over the past three decades and under the name of backing schools and learning centers Iran in fact has financed some media outlets and circles to sabotage the presence of international community particularly the US in Afghanistan while the presence of international community is necessary for the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Keeping the hostility of Iran with US and its western allies, Tehran would never cooperate with western nation in the rebuilding process of Afghanistan and instead it would work to undermine it.
Recently some western officials and a senior military officer of US have urged for cooperation with Iran on Afghanistan issue. In fact approaching Iran over Afghanistan crisis is a kind of giving incentive to Tehran to play further role in destructive activities in Afghanistan. In fact mounting diplomatic pressure on Iran would have positive affect in strengthening security in Afghanistan. . Approaching Iran and extending the hand of friendship by the west especially the US would not serve the stability in Afghanistan and the region as Tehran would follow its strategy which is widening disability to benefit from the situation.

By:A.Q.Sarwari
At last the Independent Election Commission last week announced the postponement of the presidential and provincial councils’ elections until August 20. Citing several reasons including financial and security problems, head of the Commission Azizullah Ludin said that the elections for presidential and provincial councils would be held in next August instead of spring with four months delay. The decision is logic as it was impossible to hold election in the absence of security. Holding free and fair elections requires comprehensive readiness in all fields including security and giving enough time to candidates for campaign. If any problem is arisen of the decision of delaying elections it must be solved by concerned circles. And it is unnecessary to look from negative angle and criticize it. Postponing elections would enable both candidates and the voters to use their rights properly. So, all the concerned bodies including the Election Commission, national and international circles do their best to make the ground ready for holding the coming elections. Of course the responsibility of security organs are also important to provide peace and stability across the country in order to allow the voters to use their franchise Since holding elections and using franchise is essential for electing the president of the country and destination of the nation it is necessary for the authorities to pave the ground for all the citizens including those living outside the control of government to vote for their favorite candidates in this important day.

By:A.Q.Sarwari
At last the Independent Election Commission last week announced the postponement of the presidential and provincial councils’ elections until August 20. Citing several reasons including financial and security problems, head of the Commission Azizullah Ludin said that the elections for presidential and provincial councils would be held in next August instead of spring with four months delay. The decision is logic as it was impossible to hold election in the absence of security. Holding free and fair elections requires comprehensive readiness in all fields including security and giving enough time to candidates for campaign. If any problem is arisen of the decision of delaying elections it must be solved by concerned circles. And it is unnecessary to look from negative angle and criticize it. Postponing elections would enable both candidates and the voters to use their rights properly. So, all the concerned bodies including the Election Commission, national and international circles do their best to make the ground ready for holding the coming elections. Of course the responsibility of security organs are also important to provide peace and stability across the country in order to allow the voters to use their franchise Since holding elections and using franchise is essential for electing the president of the country and destination of the nation it is necessary for the authorities to pave the ground for all the citizens including those living outside the control of government to vote for their favorite candidates in this important day.

By: A.Q.Sarwari
The populace and mountainous Badakhshan province in northeast Afghanistan for the first time is going to have asphalted roads. No governments had paid attention to Badakhshan over the past years and even had not asphalted one meter road in this poor and mountainous province. Due to lack of roads the people of Badakhshan had suffered in the past as dozens of cars and trucks had plunged into Kokcha river and thus claimed hundreds of lives. Like in other provinces, President Hamid Karzai visited Badakhshan province couple of years ago and performed the ground breaking ceremony of Badakhshan highway. The road from Talikan to Kasham has been asphalted and work from Kasham to Badakhshan’s provincial capital Faizabad is on progress. Though some circles want to sabotage the peace in Badakhshan, the peace loving Badakhshanis have realized that supporting such essential projects would enable their province to further develop. It is also expected that following the completion of Kasham-Faizabad road the project of Faizabad-Ashkashim and Ashkashim-Wakhan would be launched to link Afghanistan with China and the central Asian states. The people of Badakhshan also wish that their elected government to connect Faizabad with all the districts through asphalted roads. Badakhshis are however thankful to Germany’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for launching a series of uplift projects there. They also are thankful to the people and government of USA for repairing Faizabad-Argo road and hope that Afghan government with the support of international community to launch more development projects in this mountainous province.

By:A.Q.Sarwari
The government of Iran has adopted harsh policy against Afghans and expels the poor laborers from the country. Considering Iran as a neighboring country often go to the country for job but the Iranian government and its police arrest and expel them in an insulting manner. Though Iran is an Islamic country and a neighbor of Afghanistan with lingual, cultural and religious cultural communality with Afghans, the Iranian leadership pays little attention to the rights of its Afghan brethren. No doubt, the situation in Afghanistan and the continued instability plus high rate of unemployment have forced many Afghans to go to Iran for work. But the government of the Islamic republic instead of treating them as Muslim brothers arrest them under the excuse of grabbing the job opportunities from Iranians while the wage of Afghan labors in Iran is much lower than their Iranian counterparts. Iranian authorities in many cases after arresting refugees and insulting them expel these poor laborers to Afghanistan. The intelligence and religious circles of Iran under the mask of friendship and neighborhood have created problems for Afghanistan. Thousands of poor Afghans have been held in Iran’s camps while hundreds of others have died in Iranian deserts. In a new policy, Iran recently deprived Afghans of studying in Iranian schools by imposing new restrictions. Those Afghans who have been expelled from Iran say that the Iranians pay no value to Afghans and often use harsh language against them. Iranian police even arrest Afghans with valid visa and keeping them for 24 hours in container are taken to jails and after few days are expelled to Afghanistan. Even those Afghans who went to Iran to tour the Islamic republic and learn from its so-called high culture were illegally arrested and sent back home. One of those Afghans who was sent back in the month of Ramadan while saying his ordeal said that thousands of Afghans had been kept in one camp and the Iranian authorities described them as “garbage” and told them “why you are not fighting against Americans?”. He also added that Iranian officers in the camp in one day of Ramadan or fasting month asked the young detainees to ride on elders as donkeys and ordered the elders to take the young detainees around the camp and they the officers laughed. The arrogant officers even filmed the scene in their cellular phones. Meantime, millions of Afghans have been living in another neighboring country the Pakistan with dignity and enjoy the all rights like the Pakistanis. Thousands of Afghans cross the border town of Torkham daily even without travel documents. Moreover, thousands of Afghans have been living in other Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirate after illegally entering there but live in with dignity. If they send the Afghans back to their homeland they send them by plane without any insult. Even the non-Muslims countries where Afghans live do not violate their rights and deal with them as human being. As a neighboring country involved in Afghanistan, the Iranian government has been contesting other nations including the western and Islamic countries in Afghanistan and create lingual, ethnic and religious problems to damage the national unity of Afghans.

By: Abdul Qahar ( Sarwari)
qahare_sarwari@yahoo.com

Finally the Jabha-e-Millie Afghanistan or National Front of Afghanistan was formally launched on Tuesday last from former foes and different groups. Keeping in mind its composition, if it continues to exist for one year it would set record of unity as its leaders fought each others for years in the past. Majority of the Front or the newly formed political alliance are sitting officials of the government or those who had association with the administration over the past five years. These people who are unhappy with President Karzai in their manifestation said they would want to implement Islamic law, change the presidential system into parliamentary one through parliament and modify the constitution.
Headed by former president professor Burhanudin Rabbani, a peace loving Jihadi leader who was out of power over the past five year also said that the alliance would strengthen democracy and respect human rights. Several leaders of the newly formed Front are subordinates and associates of professor Rabbani who had paid little attention to his views in the last five years. Mustafa Zahir the grand son of the former King Mohammad Zahir Shah and the two leading members of the then communist regime
Syed Mohammad Gulabzoi and Noorul Haq Alumi are also among the members of the alliance. The leaders of the alliance are those people who in the past have several times changed their stances and groups on various issues. Some of these personalities have even violated the discipline and manifesto of their groups, parties and their leaders more than once since the collapse of Taliban regime to guarantee their personnel interests. These people are those who have even insulted their leaders and overlooked people’s will when were in power. Mr. Fahim and Qanooni are mentionable in this regard.
Interestingly, these people now want to change the ruling system while they played key role in approving the constitution in early 2004. The question is why the former defense minister Mr. Fahim, former interior minister Mr. Qanooni, former commerce minister Mustafa Kazimi and General Dostum have began advocating replacing the current presidential system to parliamentary one while in the Constitutional Loya Jirga or Grand Assembly in early 2004 these people used their influence to backed and ratified the system.
Interestingly, the first Vice President Ahmad Zia Masoud and minister for water and power Ismael Khan are also among the leaders of the National Front. How is it possible in the presidential system to allow leading members of the government join opposition party? Cabinet of the government, according to the law of the land is apolitical. While Mr. Zia Masoud is the second in command after the president and what he want to do more. If he wants to serve the nation he can do from his present portfolio much easier than any other post.
Another important thing that raises question is what has forced the former foes to get united under one umbrella. It would be a good gesture if their gathering is merely for the nation’s interest; otherwise, the people of Afghanistan have fed up of confrontation and turmoil.
Strengthening and lasting of the newly formed Front obviously is in doldrums keeping in mind its composition and enmity among its leaders. In the beginning the leaders of the alliance attempted to dissolve small components of the Front but have failed to do as the small parties rejected the demand. The rejection of the demand by the leaders of the small parties to annex their groups to bigger groups speaks of disharmony among its members and illustrates the future of the alliance. The past experiences have proved that the leaders of these groups and outfits make alliance when they face problems but dismembers when the situation changes, so, the newly launched National Front apparently would not last more than six months. It would set a record if continues to exist for one year. Their achievement over the past five years and grabbing lands is a measure to the motto and programs of the leaders of the newly formed National Front. People, who are familiar with the leaders of this Front and tested them over the past five years question why Mustafa Zahir, Gulabzoi, Alomi and Mohammad Akbari did join the alliance, possible to assume president’s office. It is also unknown what has prompted professor Rabbani to re-test the honestly of those who have been tested. By the way, we hope it to benefit Afghanistan.

By: Abdul Qahar Sarwari

Following the fall of Taliban regime the international community begun generously contributing to help rebuild the war-shattered Afghanistan. The country was ruled by warlords, drug barons and terrorists at that time while the world community has spared no efforts to change it into a responsible member of international community. Unfortunately extreme trust to some circles and figures and lack of accountability, the world’s assistance towards rebuilding Afghanistan has failed to deliver as expected by war-weary Afghans. Still the warlords, gun lords and the greedy people are in influential and can do whatever they want. These influential figures are still have weapons and military power and have even become more powerful due to illegally grabbing public lands and earning money over the past five years. These people even are in control of legislature and security apparatus. The reason that the government has failed to check poppy cultivation and its smuggling is the involvement of these people in the black business and their influence in government departments. Terrorists will not be eliminated unless illicit drug is controlled in the country. Another factor that can boost democracy in the country is to provide job opportunity and alleviate poverty. In Afghanistan unfortunately certain figures by changing dress have been misusing the name of democracy and human values for their own interest. These circles through establishing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and fraud aid agencies earn money and spend on wrong ways. Moreover, some opportunists by disguising themselves democrats and assuming offices in government departments have misused democracy and instead acted on ethnic lines and thus damaged the young democracy in the country. Another circle which has succeeded in its malicious design in the mask of democracy was the warlords, war criminals and drug barons as they acquitted themselves and secured prestigious place in society. The international community has honestly and generously contributed to rebuild Afghanistan but opportunist circles have misused it. Sectarianism and acting on political group and ethnic lines which is against national interest and democracy is even tangible among government functionaries. The international community would pay high price if it continue to ignore the above facts about the mismanagement in the post-Taliban nation. If the war criminals and drug barons had been punished in the beginning today the situation in Afghanistan was much better. The fund contributed to fight illicit drug often is used by powerful figures to boost its business and the money has been allocated to bolster democracy had often been used by certain circles in supporting personnel business and earning illegal capital which in fact has undermine the government popularity at the eyes of people.