First Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum called on his supporters to end their protests and open ports in the north of the country as he returned to Kabul on Sunday after 14 months in exile in Turkey.
Most of the government organizations and private businesses, including two major ports in the north, have been shut for over two weeks in six northern provinces of the country due to protests against arrest of a local illegal armed commander Nizamudin Qaisari in Faryab, who is general Dostum’s envoy in public uprising affairs.
Speaking at a gathering of his supporters and prominent members of the potential political coalition which is supposed to announce its presence this week, Dostum said that the first and foremost demand of protesters was his return to the country and it was met, so they should put an end to the rallies.
“As your leader I call on all of you guys to stop protest. Let all public and private organizations to resume operation. No one is allowed to disturb any government or private organization,” said Dostum.
The vice president called Qaisari’s arrest unfair, stressing that he will discuss his early release with President Ghani.
“Some people whose personal interests were at stake had sent wrong reports about Qaisari’s activities to the central government. Tomorrow I’ll sit with the president and discuss the issue with him,” Dostum stated.
Speaking about the current situation in the country, Dostum said that the most important mission of the government is peace talks.
“Peace talks with the Taliban are the most important mission of President Ghani, CEO Abdullah and the government in general.”
He said peace needs bold decision and sacrifices to be achieved. The Vice president announced his complete support for the peace process, vowing that his party and supporters were ready for any sacrifice to bring peace to the country.
Dostum said the reason behind his stay in Turkey was health issues which took longer than expected.
Speaking to the same gathering, Mohammad Mohaqiq, deputy CEO of the national unity government, also supported the government peace initiative, calling on Taliban to stop fighting and join hand with other Afghans to build Afghanistan.
Mohaqiq said the new political coalition that was supposed to announce its presence this week will offer a comprehensive plane for peace talks with Taliban.
In the meantime, at least 14 people, mostly security forces, were killed and 60 others were wounded in a suicide attack near Hamid Karzai airport just moments after general Dostum’s convoy passed the area.
Dostum calls on his supporters to end protests
