KABUL - The presidential palace said Ghani agreed that all legal demands by protestors would be met but MPs said the president essentially rejected their demands At a meeting with a Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) delegation who are mediating between government and protesters, President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday evening promised that all legal demands of the protesters would be met, the president’s deputy spokesman Dawa Khan Minapal said Sunday.
“Last night the president met with Wolesi Jirga members who shared the problems with the president and the president promised them that all their legal demands will be met,” said Minapal.
Protestors have called for the dismissal of heads of security institutions, the suspension of the deputy head of the directorate for the Presidential Palace Protection Unit, the removal of the Kabul Garrison commander, and the firing and prosecution of those who shot at protesters during the mass Kabul demonstration.
However, Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, an MP and a member of the delegation said Ghani did not only reject their demands but that the president also behaved inappropriately with the delegation.
“His (President’s) behavior last night was improper. Such behavior is uncommon and is not acceptable in dialogue and in a political setting,” Nasiri said.
A number of delegation members also said the president said the protesters’ demands are not within his authority and that the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) need to make the decisions.
But another MP Gul Pacha Majidi said: “At last night’s meeting, the president really appreciated the delegation and the Wolesi Jirga for feeling responsible and considering the national interests at such a time.”
“The delegation urged the president to suspend the security officials, but the president said the suspension of security officials’ jobs is not part of his authority,” MP Iqbal Safi said.
The parliamentary delegation is however working on a plan to end the recent challenges and also address protesters’ demands and the plan will be sent to parliament on Monday for approval.
Once the plan is approved by parliament, then it will be sent to the president, said the MPs. (Tolonews)