Unable to find work since months, deplore Balkh painters

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): House painters in northern Balkh province say their work would increase ahead of the new Persian year, but this year they are unable to find work.

Before the regime change, the painters said the provincial government in Balkh used to paint squares, roadside fences, private and government buildings every year ahead of the new year festivities and they would get job opportunities, something unseen now.

Saifuddin, one of the house painters, told Pajhwok Afghan News he daily arrived at the Municipality Square hoping to find work, but he had not been able to find any work since last several months.

Calling himself a good painter, Saifuddin said in the past ahead of the new year, he would not sit idle for a day and would continuously work.

He said in the past in days preceding the new year festival, government and private properties, squares and fences were painted and they would remain busy, but this year there were no such things.

Another painter, Ahmad, also said his only skill was painting, but he could not find work these days. He said this year, common people were penniless and the government was paying no attention to the beauty of the city like the past.

Dil Agha, another painter, held similar views and said he arrived at the municipality square every morning to be hired by someone. He said he often returned home without earning any money.

On the other hand, paint sellers in Mazar-i-Sharif also said their business had shrunk compared to previous years.

Haji Fazl, a paint seller, said in the past particularly ahead of the new year festival, their business would thrive, but this year they had no buyers.

Mazar-i-Sharif mayor Maulvi Naqibullah Tariq said the municipality paid attention to the beauty and cleanliness of the city throughout the year, but had no special preparations for the new year.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists would throng Mazar-i-Sharif city on the eve of the new year in the past, but after the regime change, no measures are taken to celebrate the festival that falls on March 21.

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