KABUL – Tens of Thousands of People commemorated 21st death anniversary of Shaheed Abdul Ali Mazari in Kabul on Friday. The gathering in Kabul was attended by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah his deputies, ministers, parliamentarians, heads of political parties and other influential figures. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in a video message said that Shaheed Abdul Ali Mazari was martyred in path of struggles for democracy and did not want the repetition of history adding that Mazari believed on social justice and democratic government. The president further said Mazari had special respect for the women’s role in society and believed the women could play a vital role in political spectrum of the country.
He said: “Afghanistan was the country of every Afghan and every citizen and stressed the need for an active political role of every countryman.”
Ghani said the constitutional clause that no Afghan is privileged over another helped us to reduce difference and work of the bright future of the country.
He asked people to get maximum advantage of the opportunities and work hard so that a bright future could be guaranteed for the upcoming generations.
Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, while addressing the gathering, said that the unity government was committed to realising the wishes of martyrs, which were justice, uniform development, political consensus, in dividual and collective rights.
The CEO Abdullah Abdullah called Mazari a symbol of national unity, integrity, bravery, faithfulness and honesty.
“Mazari still holds a place among the people,” said Abdullah, who called Mazari a leader who awakened the masses about their national duty and for the defence of their rights and for what he himself sacrificed for his life.
“We as followers of our martyrs have the responsibility to realize their wishes,” he said, declaring that the government would not enter a behind-the-scenes deal on peace.
“Peace is the demand of the entire nation and the government is committed to achieve that,” he said.
Abdullah also praised sacrifices of the Afghan security forces and said their heroism would never be forgotten.
He hoped that peace efforts of the Afghan government will bring lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“I want to assure people that there will be no secret deal in peace talks and freedom of people and their achievements will be maintained,” he said.
Meanwhile, the second deputy of the CEO, Mohammad Mohaqiq, stressed on peace talks with the Taliban. He, however, threatened that if peace talks failed, then people are ready to defend their country.
He stressed that Afghan security forces should be equipped with modern weapons. “Afghan air force should be equipped. Gaps that our army has should be filled and national police and local police should be equipped, otherwise a disaster will be on the way to come,” he said.
He also criticized the share of political power in the National Unity Government.
“We have five ministers in the National Unity Government (NUG), but authority of these ministers is with others. We want a real partnership and management in all areas including police and national army,” said Mohaqiq. Abdul Ali Mazari, the founding member of People’s Unity party, was killed on March 12, 1995 by the Taliban who invited him for a political dialogue on an alliance against the then Islamic State. But he was arrested along with his five companions in Chaharasyab, near Kabul, and later killed. (DoA/Pajhwok/Tolo)