Blinded in blast, Paktika man establishes Peace Park

SHARANA (Pajhwok): A resident of southern Paktika province, who lost both his eyes in an explosion, has established a recreational park named ‘Peace Park’ with his personal expenses.

Sakhi Argoni, 32, is a resident of Argon district. Around four years back, 80 people were killed and more than 100 others wounded in a car bomb explosion in the centre of Argon district. Argoni was one of the wounded.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, he said he lived together with his extended family, but he could not see his wife and children after the incident.

“I was in my shop when a powerful explosion happened, it knocked me unconscious and when I came to senses in hospital, I had lost both of my eyes, the vision in my eyes is yet to return,” he said.

Argoni said he would not have lost his eyes had there been peace in the country. But after the incident, he decided to create a Peace Park in Argon district.

“Peace is my biggest dream that is why I built the park with my own cost and management, so people come here, take rest and relief,” he said.

He said that he had established the recreational park on three acres of land with spending around 20 million afghanis and he now charged 50 afghanis from every person entering it so he could prepare his family expenses.

“I have created a place for recreation, I am the manager of it, it has everything for playing, swings, mini vehicles for children, playgrounds, hotel, stores and other facilities needed in a park,” he said.

He complained against the Taliban and the Afghan government that all people wanted peace, but only a few figures denied it, and insisted on continuation of war for their personal interests.

Esmatullah, a person visiting the park, said that the park had a special reputation in whole of Paktika province.

“This park is built by a person who is a victim of war and cannot see,” he said, adding that his request would make no difference, but he still would want to ask the government and Taliban to embrace peace so no more people become disabled like Argoni.

Afsar Khan Sulaimankhel, a provincial council member of Paktika, thanked Argoni for creating the recreation place for people and promoting peace.

“He displayed a great courage, God bless him. He built such a park, we ask the Taliban and the government to agree on peace and stop killing the youth on different excuses,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and a large number of others disabled and migrated to foreign countries during the last four decades of the conflict in Afghanistan.

This report has been produced by Pajhwok and financially supported by UNDP.

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