Khost residents ask govt to lift ban on motorcycle ride

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The residents of Khost City, the capital of southeastern Khost province, are complaining about huge problems they face as a result of the ban on motorcycle riding in the province.

Police have banned motorcycle riding in the province in order to improve security, but residents say they have been facing problems due the ban.

They believe security could not be improved by banning motorcycles and if the government really wants to ensure security during the elections, it should consider other options.

Shafiullah, a resident and student at the Khost Teacher Training Centre, is one who daily uses motorcycle.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News the Teacher Training Centre was away from their home and without motorcycle, it was difficult for him to attend classes.

“The government has banned bike riding and we don’t have money to purchase car, today again I missed my class, I want to tell the government not to create problems for us and think about another option for security improvement,” he said.

Saifullah Khosti, a civil society activist, said if security institutions maintained greater coordination and fully used their detectives, there would be no need to ban motorcycles.

“It is not a solution to ban motorcycles because most of the people travel on motorcycles to workplaces, I want the government not to create problems for us,” he said.

But police chief Ahkhtar Mohammad Noorzai told Pajhwok Afghan News that the decision to ban motorcycle riding had been taken in the military council to improve security for electioneering.

“We know that public will suffer but this decision has been taken to ensure the safety of people and ensure peaceful conduct of elections,” he said.

It is worth mentioning that motorcycle riding has already been banned in Nangarhar and other provinces ahead of the Oct 20 parliamentary elections.

nh/ma