Hopes rise as security barricades being removed in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The process of removing concrete barricades on roads and streets has begun in some parts of Kabul, with residents saying the move would revive hopes for lasting peace and security.

These security barriers have been put up on many roads and streets in Kabul since 2001 to protect offices and other buildings from attack. The security measures not only turned the city into a war zone, but also caused traffic havoc and made it difficult for people commute.

The Taliban captured Kabul on Aug 15 and now control all of Afghanistan except Panjshir province. However, security concerns in the country, especially in capital Kabul, have eased and concrete barricades are no longer needed.

In a statement yesterday, the Kabul Municipality said all citizens and public and private entities have been informed to remove security barriers in the next one week.

It said the municipality was obliged to maintain urban order, conduct operations and clean public roads and properties in the city.

In compliance with the municipality order, people have taken action and removed cement walls and other obstacles in some parts of the city.

Abdul Sabur, a resident of Qambar Square in Kabul, said: “Not only me, but all the people of Kabul are happy with the removal of the security walls. We longed for the day when peace, war and security problems are eliminated and security barriers removed from the city. Removing concrete security walls raises hopes for lasting security.”

He added: “The previous government had erected these concrete walls around security posts and other places, which meant they could not only protect the people, but protected themselves only with the barriers.”

A resident of the Arzan Qaymat area of ​​Kabul says some of the concrete walls on roads in the area have been removed.

“In the past, many streets were closed in the area due to security measures, where houses of officials had encroached on half of the roads and they had set up barracks for troops,” he said.

Jafar Faisal, a resident of Kabul’s 5th District, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a number of important things happened during the Taliban’s last one week rule, including the removal of security obstacles.

He said the previous government had not been able to provide security to people and the authorities lived behind iron, armored and cement walls.

As a result, he added, the gap between the government and the people widened and people suffered from various problems.

He said he was happy that the Taliban were taking steps to bridge the gap between the government and the people to gradually build trust and confidence.

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