Protesters seeking Qaisari’s release close IEC office

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Hundreds of protesters demanding the release of a detained militia leader Nizamuddin Qaisari on Wednesday closed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) office in northwestern Faryab province and set alight dozens of national identity cards or Tazkera.

Also demanding the return of First Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and unconditional release of Qaisari, the protesters closed the IEC office doors and torched hundreds of Tazkeras with election stickers attached to them.

Among the protestors was Atta Mohammad Faizi, head of the Junbish-i-Islami party’s provincial head, who said their protest would continue until the government and the international community gave them a positive response.

Abdul Jameel, another protester, said they voted to President Ashraf Ghani to power but he ignored the Uzbek people and assured Dostum’s powers.

Mohammad Aman Aman, the IEC head for Faryab province, confirmed the protesters had closed the IEC office and all officials had been sent on leave.

Eight days earlier, a large number of people in Faryab, Bamyan, Jawzjan, Sar-i-Pul took to the streets and protested against the arrest of Nizamuddin Qaisari, one of Dostum’s commanders.

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