Paktikans stage protest against targeted killings

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Residents of southeastern Paktika province on Thursday protested against increasing targeted killings in the provincial capital, asking the government to bring the killers to justice.

Thousands of people participated in the protest demonstration in Sharana city in reaction to recent murders.

Haji Niaz, a resident of Sharana, said at least eight individuals had been killed during the past two months by specific circles but no action could be taken against them so far.

He suggested, that police chief for the first district, Mohammad Wali Qalamdost, sacked for unknown reason, should be reinstated because during his period robberies, targeted killings and other crimes had been prevented.

Haji Momeen, a tribal elder, said the government should meet people’s demand amid coronavirus pandemic.

Aziz, a provincial council member, said the government should answer people’s demand and asked people to avoid protesting during the coronavirus.

Jamel Ghairat, a provincial government spokesman, said reshuffling police was the government’s authority and people should avoid baseless demand.

sa/ma