Although the bus was bursting with the passengers, it was moving at a snail’s pace to pick more people up – it is usual with public transportation in Kabul. Typically, the passengers were shouting at the driver to move faster; however their persistence were falling on deaf ears. I overheard someone using foul language against the President. Then, I rolled my eyes and saw a middle-aged and plump woman sitting in the back seat still mouthing off.
The approach of the sunset and the stubbornness of the driver tried the woman’s nerves. Perhaps, she would have been stuck in traffic jam few minutes later – that would, on the one hand, threaten her safety and on the other hand arouse her husband’s anger. But can these challenges justify her to insult the President flagrantly?
I am in a dilemma whether to put the blame on the nation or on the government. The people point the finger at the government in the case of public challenges being experienced by the citizens. They argue that more than two decades have passed under a democratic government, yet challenges exist as serious as ever. Let us consider few of the problems which should have been addressed by the government during the two last decades.
The transportation system, particularly in Kabul, is terrible. The citizens have flocked to Kabul from 34 provinces and it is one of the top populous cities in the world. However, the problem of the poor transportation system has been aggravated by unmapped blocks and buildings. If you intend to go somewhere by vehicle, you will be stuck in traffic jam for long hours. Moreover, despite being confused in the hustle and bustle of large numbers of vehicles and piercing horns and pushing and shoving on the street, vehicles are still lacking for the passengers. Mostly, whenever a bus approaches a bus stop, many passengers will rush to get on – especially when it is sunset. The bus will pick up as many passengers as possible, it is really irritating for the citizens but there is no option other than grinning and bear it.
Unemployment is one of the issues which is highly worrisome for the Afghan citizens, especially for the youths. Annually, thousands of students graduate from universities and only few of them will be employed. The economic constraints and high unemployment rate force the citizens to flock to foreign countries. Currently, a large number of Afghan citizens, including university graduates and teenagers, spend in refugee camps outside the country. The long wait affects some of the campers mentally. On the other hand, the current insecurity and political dilemma made the businessmen to end investments in the country and many companies and NGOs have been terminated. Hence, in spite of all the challenges, the government took no action to address them.
Poverty, which is the illegitimate child of unemployment, is rampant across the country. If you walk in Kabul streets, you will see the undernourished children and homeless women whose only claim to fame is to find a morsel of bread and survive the risk of hanger. It is really heart-wrenching to see the children – who are supposed not to be touched with any difficulties in their childhood – selling plastics, credit cards, or polishing the passersby’s shoes just to earn a penny. Furthermore, the wailing and moaning of the female beggars will touch your heart. Such pictures mostly engross my mind for long moments.
Poverty is pregnant with crime. With the existence of economic constraints, the rise in crime must not be surprising. Poverty and unemployment shake hands to force one to resort to crime such as theft, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, etc. even at the cost of others’ life. Therefore, we see an explosion in crime rate.
Insecurity and the issue of terrorism have been changed into insoluble problem. Afghan people lose their lives in daily explosions and suicide attacks carried out by the insurgents. A nightmare of explosion always haunts them in public places. While taking a trip, the common people are stopped and searched by the Taliban militants – that mostly ambush the police and government staff on the roadsides.
After all, freeing Taliban militants by the persistence of presidential palace infuriated Afghan people more than ever before. The Taliban who were said to be involved in terrorist acts were released from the prisons despite the bombarding disagreements from the public and the foreign officials. The public shouts against the release fell on government’s deaf ears. Shortly after the issue, the released Taliban led many terrorist attacks – which resulted in the death of many civilians and Afghan National Police. According to public, it was an irreparably political blunder made by the government. In short, the government did not fight against terrorists and al-Qaeda seriously and the Afghan President called al-Qaeda a “myth”.
These issues are the tip of the iceberg and there are many challenges which should have been addressed by the government during the last two decades. Hence, the government is supposed to take the blame more than any other group.
By and large, the people are used to railing against the government regarding any problems even if they do not pertain to it. As citizens, they have to fulfill their own responsibilities and do not point their finger at the government. The foul temper of our compatriots is under question. So, both the government officials and the citizens are to carry out their activities with full honesty.