KABUL, Dec 22: Delegates of the Constitutional Loya Jirga took a day off from constitution-making to air their grievances regarding the lack of the reconstruction work in Afghanistan.
The CLJ delegates meeting inside a well-heated tent setup in the campus of Polytechnic Institute took turn to pour their heart out in front of the cabinet ministers on Monday. Most complained about the slow pace of reconstruction and rehabilitation work in their respective areas.
All this was happening as Kabul received the season’s first snow adding further to the chill and woes of most residents, who have no electricity.
Also, at least four rocket attacks on the capital on Sunday night and early Monday morning did not hamper the CLJ proceedings.
The rockets landed three kilometres from the venue of the Loya Jirga.
A spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force said they had some “controlled explosions” planned for Monday, but he did not say whether the two blasts heard early Monday morning were part of the plan.
CLJ spokesperson, Safia Siddiqi told reporters the 10 subcommittees had completed their deliberations on the 162- articles draft constitution and had turned over their recommendations to the reconciliation committee.
“The reconciliation committee has started its work and would continue to work on Tuesday and firm up its report to be presented before the Loya Jirga for final debate and approval”, she told Dawn later.
Ms Safia, who is one of the four vice-chairpersons of the 502-member Loya Jirga, said the delegates would be allowed to air their grievances on Tuesday while the reconciliation committee continued its work.
She was optimistic that the Loya Jirga would come to a close on Thursday but acknowledged that the proceedings could extend into next week if delegates did not arrive at agreement.
The most hotly-debated amongst the issues are whether Afghanistan should have a strong presidential government or should it become a parliamentary democracy.
AFP adds: Taliban claimed responsibility for four rockets that hit Kabul overnight.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack and a assault occurring on Saturday night on a border post near Spin Boldak town in which five Afghan soldiers were killed and three wounded.
“We claim responsibility for the rocket attack last night in Kabul and the Spin Boldak attack,” the man who called himself Abdul Samad told AFP by satellite phone.
Abdul Samad warned of further attacks to disrupt the Loya Jirga.
“There are still more attacks to come,” he said.
