Helmand on the brink of collapse, needs action: MPs

KABUL (Pajhwok): Lawmakers from southern Helmand province on Saturday claimed the province was on the brink of collapse, asking the government to take action for controlling the situation.

Following intense fights over the control of Greshk district between the Taliban and Afghan forces and increased violence, lawmakers from the province today sought urgent attention of the government to the situation.

Shir Mohammad Akhunzada, a lawmaker from Helmand, talking at today’s session of Wolesi Jirga or lower house of the parliament, said that the province was in bad situation and on the brink of collapse to Taliban.

He accused security officials of incompetency and said, “If not defeated in Helmand, the enemy would win the whole Afghanistan.”

Talking to the Taliban, he said, “Foreigners are now out and they are at least not present in Helmand, so why you are fighting, what type of Afghan and Muslims are you when destroying people and public facilities.”

GhulamWali Afghan, another lawmaker from Helmand, said, “Enemies of the Afghan people who are supported by neighboring countries want to collapse this province so they would be able to have access to natural resources there, the war in Helmand is for water, mines and narcotics.”

Talking to the government, he said, “If you want to secure Helmand, share your plan with us and we will stand with you, but if you made a deal, then lets Helmand people take action.”

MirwaisKhadim, another representative from Helmand, said: “People of Helmand are burning in the fire of war, neighboring countries and drug smugglers are involved in this violence, each of them has a goal.” He also asked the government to pay attention for the security of the province.

KarimAttal, secretary of Wolesi Jirga and a lawmaker from Helmand, said, “It would not be too far to see Helmand collapses if urgent action is not taken. The fall of Helmand would lead to the fall of southern provinces and Afghanistan…”

He said that the Taliban should know their ongoing war was against Afghans and they were committing massacre of the Afghan people.

Attal called Taliban ‘slaves of foreigners’ and said that neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, was trying to collapse the province and turn Afghanistan again into the center of safe havens of ‘terrorists’.

A number of other lawmakers from the province also held similar comments and asked the government to take urgent steps for controlling the situation.

They also asked for assistance to war displaced families in the province and warned to take other actions if their demands were ignored.

Mds/ma