Shinwari people remind Ghani of his promises

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Residents of six Shinwari districts of eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday urged President Ashraf Ghani to honor his promises with them regarding reconstruction of some places destroyed during security operations in the past.

President Ashraf Ghani recently traveled to the Shinwari districts and promised to reconstruct residential compounds, schools, mosques, healthcare facilities, roads and other public properties destroyed during the past five years in security forces operations.

Some areas in Haska Mena, Ghanikhel, Durbaba, Nazian, Achin and Spin Ghar districts have been destroyed in operations against Daesh or so-called Islamic State (IS) in some parts of the districts.

Tribal elders from the Shinwari districts claim the authorities concerned have not yet acted upon President Ghani’s promises.

Malak Kaftar Khan, a tribal elder, told Pajhwok Afghan News that President Ghani’s promises were construction of damaged homes, roads, mosques, clinics, schools, madris, supporting needy families, addressing telecommunication issue and construction of a Teacher Training Center and a hospital but so far nothing could be done.

Malak Abdul Samad Khan, another tribal elder, told Pajhwok that some schools, mosques, hospitals in the Shinwari districts had been partially damaged but others totally destroyed.

He said due to the mentioned problems, thousands of Shinwari families continued to live in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, and some others had displaced to other areas.

Meanwhile, Governor Shah Mahmood Maikhel told Pajhwok that efforts were underway to address the demands of Shinwari residents.

He said a delegation from the Presidential Palace visited the province to closely understand the issues. He said they shared people concerns with the delegation which would share them with President Ghani soon.

Miakhel added 168 projects worth more than 400 million afghanis were completed and some were under construction in the Shinwari districts.

He added 250 tons of wheat assistance was distributed in four districts of the Shinwari zone and efforts were underway to transfer the aid to the remaining two districts in near future.

He said 10,000 residential compounds would be reconstructed in the Shinwari districts after President Ghani decree in this regard.

pk/ma