Weapons distribution by politicians an unproved claim

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of politicians have claimed that weapons are being distributed in different provinces which they call a major crime and a threat to Afghanistan’s future, but security officials reject the claim as untrue.

Following the announcement of US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, the claim of distribution of weapons in some provinces is being echoed, with a number of people fearing the eruption of a civil war with complete withdrawal of foreign troops.

US President Joe Biden has said that foreign troops, especially US forces, will leave Afghanistan by September 11, with most of the troops have reportedly left Afghanistan.

Claim: weapons distribution is underway by some political elites

According to Pajhwok and TOLO News, Zabihullah Mujadidi, the leader of the Jabha-i-Nijat Mili Afghanistan, on Saturday said at a meeting organized by the Hizb-i-Harakat MiliIslami Afghanistan titled “People’s will; Peace talks and battlefields” that a number of the country’s politicians had started distributing weapons to their supporters in different provinces.

Without naming any politician, he said the distribution of weapons in current sensitive situation was a huge crime and a threat to Afghanistan’s future.

Also, Rahmatullah Nabil, a former spymaster, had previously told Azadi radio that weapons were being distributed in the north and some other provinces of the country.

Meanwhile, Zabih Barakzai, a Facebook user, on 5^th June also reported the distribution of weapons in some provinces.

Some members of the Parliament have also claimed that arms distribution has begun in some province, however, they did not name a specific province or individual.

Fact-checking:

Tariq Arian, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told Pajhwok Afghan News the distribution of weapons across the country by some politicians was not true.

He said security and defence forces of the country were a legitimate structure and any other structure forming must be under the supervision of the security sector, otherwise those who do so would be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, Rahmatullah Andar, spokesman for the National Security Council, told Pajhwok no illegal weapons had been distributed in the country and such process would not be allowed.

According to him, the security sector has distributed and licensed weapons to the country’s security and defence forces only within the framework of the law.

“Distribution of weapons is against the law and legal framework therefore it will be suppressed,” he added.

Outcome: Some sources claim the process of arms distribution has begun in different provinces, but security sources strongly deny these claims.

Verdict: Reports about the distribution of weapons in provinces by politicians is an unproved claim.

Basir Fitri

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