Reopen girls’ schools: scholars & tribal elders urge IEA

KABUL (Pajhwok): About 250 religious scholars and tribal elders have asked the interim government to implement development projects and reopen educational institutes for girls.

They issued the call at a gathering at the Presidential Palace on the role of scholars and tribal elders in strengthening ties between the government and the nation.

Besides religious scholars and tribal elders, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulvi Abdul Kabir and other IEA officials also participated in Saturday’s gathering.

The participants shared public problems and demands with government officials, according to a statement from the Presidential Palace.

IEA leaders were urged to take effective steps for resolving people’s economic problems, reconstruction of roads, water management, creation of district councils and reopening schools and universities for females.

Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir listed the implementation of the Islamic system, nationwide security and complete national sovereignty as IEA’s core priorities.

For its economic growth, the country would be connected with the world and the road between Afghanistan and China through Wakhan was under construction, Kabir said.

Information and Culture Minister Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwah called the current government inclusive, alleging some countries wanted to have their spies and puppets included in the current administration.

He said the IEA government aimed to reconstruct the country and serve the nation. People should not be fooled by the enemy's propaganda, he said, promising all problems would be addressed with time.

At the same time, Minister for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MoVPV) Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Hanafi asked UNAMA to refrain from releasing one-sided reports about Afghanistan. Without consulting with MoVPV, the UN mission should not hand down unilateral judgments, he commented.

He added it was the responsibility of all IEA officials to listen to the problems of the people with patience and find solutions to them.

Two years ago, the acting government barred girls from studying above grade six and banned university education for them.

aw/mud