Kabul-Kandahar highway reopens for traffic

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials in southern Ghazni province on Saturday said the Kabul-Kandahar highway had been reopened for traffic after a week of closure by protestors.

Last week, residents of Maqur district blocked the busy Kabul-Kandahar highway, asking the government to upgrade the district as a new province.

Mohammad Arif Noori, the Ghazni governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the protestors had reopened the road after a week of closure.

He said the demand of Maqur people had been shared with the central government. However, the gubernatorial spokesman said nothing about Kabul’s response.

Shahzada Asim, an organiser of the protest, confirmed to Pajhwok that they allowed only some vehicles to ply the highway.

“We have allowed cars transporting passengers, vegetables and fresh fruits. Our protest is still ongoing,” he said, adding protest would continue until a clear and satisfactory response from the government, he added.

Rumours have been circulating on social media that President Ashraf Ghani had decided to convert a number of districts into provinces. However, the government has not comment in the regard so far.

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