Afghanistan - MP fears Dostum may not return to Kabul

Pajhwak Afghan News ^ | June 3, 2007 | Zabeehullah Ihsas

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MAZAR-I-SHARIF, June 3 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A legislator and member of the delegation visiting the northern Jawzan province to investigate last week's violence has expressed the fear that Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid may not return to Kabul to face the probe.

Mueen Mrastial, member of the Wolesi Jirga, expressed the apprehensions after the former warlord failed to reach Kabul on Sunday as directed by the parliamentary delegation heading by President Karzai's advisor Nadir Ali Mehdavee.

At least 13 people were killed and over 40 wounded when supporters of Rashid Dostum clashed with police in Shiberghan, capital of Jawzjan province last week.

Police said they had to use force to disperse the protestors because they were pelting stones at the police headquarters and some armed men among them opened fire at the police personnel.

In order to investigate the incident, the central government had sent a delegation which called Jawzjan Governor Juma Khan Hamdard and Abdul Rashid Dostum to Kabul to meet President Hamid Karzai.

The governor arrived in Kabul on Sunday; however, the former chief of the Junbish-i-Milli Party did not turn up, which triggered suspicions among members of the probe team.

Spokesman for Jawzjan governor Rohullah Samoon told Pajhwok that the governor had arrived in Kabul in line with the directives of the delegation. However, Dostum is still in his native town of Shiberghan.

Contacted for comments, leader of the Junbish-i-Milli Sayed Noorullah said Dostum did not visited Kabul because of his engagements in Jawzjan.

Mrastial said the two rivals had to arrive in Kabul on Saturday or Sunday. However, Dostum's absence showed that he was not willing to participate in the probe.

Meanwhile, head of the cultural wing of the Junbish-i-Milli Humayun told Pajhwok Afghan News that any decision against the will of the people would further deteriorate the situation in the province.

"We will block all the roads this time," said Humayun, who asked the government to accept their demands or face more protests from the people.