Govt has long ignored our problems, needs: Gujars

KABUL (Pajhwok): Gujar tribesmen say the government has long ignored their problems and needs in areas of education and health and demand greater participation in politics of their renowned individuals.

Reaching in numbers almost 1.5 million, Gujar tribe men and women live in parts of Kapisa, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar and Khost provinces.

The Constitution recognizes 14 languages of Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Baloch, Pashae, Nuristani, Aimaq, Kerkiz, Qazalbash, Gujar and Barahavi tribes officially.

Mohammad Dawod, one of the Gujar tribesmen, lamented their tribe had been ignored in formation of the cabinet, adding that the government should include cadres from their tribe in the Cabinet to ensure justice among different tribes.

During an exclusive talk with Pajhwok Afghan News, Dawod said Gujar people had been deprived of their rights over the past 20 years and no attention paid to their living conditions.

He asked the government to construct roads for Gujar people in mountainous areas where they lived  besides schools for their children and hospitals for their patients.

Abdul HaqHaqyar, head of the Gujar North-Eastern Council, complained about lack of roads, schools and clinics in areas inhabited by the tribe and added the Gujar people remained deprived of essential living facilities and their cattle-grounds had been grabbed by powerful people.

He added they often raised their voice against injustice and persecution of their tribe but the authorities never paid attention.

“This tribe is only remembered during presidential and Wolesi Jirga elections, but after the election is over and candidates win the polls, they forget the Gujar tribe and their political rights.”

Maulvi Abdul MananArif, deputy head of the Gujar Social Council, said over 3,000 Gujar families lived in Baghlan-e-Markazi district but no attention had been paid to them.

He said when this issue was shared with Firs Vice President AmrullahSaleh, he demanded them to ensure security of Baghlan so the government would build schools for them.

“Our Education Ministry demands money from us to build schools and the first vice president demands security from us. The Taliban shadow governor is not from Gujar tribe so why would he accept our request,” he said.

However, the office of First Vice President said Gujar tribesmen had two times met the first vice president who directed authorities to address their problems.

Nh/ma

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