Ghani commends war-wounded soldiers as pride

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has said the distribution of apartments to families of martyred and disabled soldiers was his government’s top priority.

At an Iftar meeting with disabled soldiers at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday evening, Ghani patiently listened to problems and demands of the special people.

Defense and interior ministers also attended the Iftar meeting, a statement from the president’s office said.

Sohail, one of the disabled soldiers, said on behalf of others: “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the defense of our motherland.”

He said their salaries were regularly paid in the past but they were delayed for months after the responsibility shifted to the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs & Disabled (MoLSAMD).

Sohail shared with the president their suggestions about coupon distribution, adequate salary, haj quota for the disabled soldiers, their children’s education cards to their families.

Ghani, after listening to the disabled soldiers, said: “You are our pride and a bitter memory of war. You are pride because you have sacrificed your body parts and blood for the defense of the country.

“I have no words to appreciate your spirit and courage. At the same time, you are a bitter memory of the war. Your families and I cannot tolerate your disabilities,” the president remarked.

The president ordered officials of ministries of interior, defense and labor and social affairs and martyrs to task three representatives each with meeting the disabled soldiers and finding solutions to their problems.

“Respecting and supporting you is everyone’s responsibility, including myself,” Ghani remarked while speaking to the soldiers.

Ghani also ordered other relevant organs to prevent land-grab incidents, particularly the land belonging to the disabled people. The government planned distribution of residential buildings to families of the disabled and martyred soldiers, he concluded.

mds/mud