Police threaten to join forces with Taliban

KABUL (Pajhwok): Dozens of policemen staged a protest demonstration in front of the Parliament on Sunday, demanding the prompt payment of their six-month salaries.

The protesters claimed they had been performing duties on the Kabul-Nangarhar highway but the Ministry of Interior had not paid them for months.

Janatullah, representing more than 50 policemen, told Pajhwok Afghan News some 200 policemen guarding the vital trade route had not been paid.

Warning of defecting to the Taliban, he claimed the ministry was just providing them food and weapons. The protestors claimed it was not the first time they demanded their right.

Farid Kochi, a parliamentarian, assured them the issue of their unpaid salaries would be raised in the Meshrano Jirga (Senate) in the forth coming session.

Ghulam Siddique Siddiqui, MoI Spokesman, acknowledged delays in salaries, saying there were some hurdles. He, however, claimed the obstacles would be removed soon and the policemen paid within a week or two.

sks/mud