KABUL (Pajhwok): The Council of Ministers on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the arrest and beating of Allah Gul Mujahid, a member of Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA).
The council, which met here today, took several decisions, including the creation of a special unit to reclaim usurped lands and come up with a plan to address the fuel shortage problem.
In a statement, the Administrative Affairs Office said the cabinet instructed the intelligence directorate to thoroughly probe Mujahid’s arrest and thrashing and take legal action against the officials involved.
Case against Allah Gul Mujahid
Mujahid, a former member of the Wolesi Jirga, was detained by government forces from his home about one and half month ago. A video on social media shows security personnel beating and handcuffing Mujahid and throwing him into a Hilux pick-up. He was slapped and hit with a rocket.
Hours after his arrest, Mujahid said in a video clip the Taliban were his brothers and his detention was based on misunderstanding and that he had been released.
But this week, an audio clip was released, in which Mujahid says: “After I was beaten people raised their voices. I released a video message and said the Taliban are my brothers and we reached a mutual understanding. Subsequently, People calmed down. All of my friends had been upset.
“The Taliban’s approach was cruel and against the Islamic law. I have been a mujahid and a member of parliament. I served the people, but they treat criminals and law-abiding citizens in the same way.”
There have been rumours that Mujahid is abroad and three weeks ago Wahdat newspaper reported he had arrived in Turkey. But Mujahid, in the audio clip, said he was in Afghanistan.
HIA leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar had said on Friday he was unhappy that Mujahid had been treated against Islamic principles, guidelines and teachings.
Other cabinet decisions
The meeting focused on reviving and maintaining national parks, improving the overall situation and government institutions in Panjsher province, reforming official structures for the new budgetary year and reclaiming grabbed lands.
The cabinet tasked a delegation of officials from the Ministries of Defense, Amar Bilmaroof Wa Nahia Anil Munkar, the Intelligence Directorate and the Kabul Police Headquarters to investigate complaints of traders and moneychangers and ensure their security.
The statement added: “The position of the Islamic Emirate was reiterated in the cabinet meeting that all government departments are obliged to provide necessary facilities to businessmen, traders, industrialists and investors to ensure the prosperity and self-sufficiency of the country and to take positive steps towards economic development. Obstructing and delaying their plans, programmes and projects is a crime.”
sa/mud
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