Outreach links Afghan government, community

Published Feb. 8, 2012
By 1st Lt Cammie Quinn
PRT Paktya public affairs office

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Members of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan travelled to a remote district to address community concerns and reopen a newly reconstructed district center, Feb 1.

Abdul Rahman Mangal, Paktya Province deputy governor, accompanied by Team Paktya military and civilian members, conducted a government-outreach mission to Chamkani District in Paktya Province.

Other Afghan Government members included in the mission included a lower house parliament member, the Afghan Uniform Police Chief, National Defense Secretariat chief, Provincial Peace Council chair, Provincial Joint Secretariat Team cahir, and a provincial council member.

Government members regularly visit Paktya's districts to provide a voice to Paktya residents through government outreach missions. Outreach missions link the community to their government, by creating a venue in which villagers express concerns and receive direct answers.

"The government travels throughout the province to listen to the needs and problems of the people," Mangal said. "Paktya citizens are always welcome to come to our office, but we want to go where the people are to hear their concerns."

Development and nation-wide peace are only possible through a secure environment, the leaders said.

Public safety is a top concern for the provincial government. To disrupt anti-government forces, Chamkani Afghan National Security Forces, in partnership with coalition forces, partner to provide security in the district.

"Security is tied to everything," General Zolmai, newly-appointed AUP chief, said. "It is not just connected to security personnel, but to all citizens."

"If you help your brothers, we can have successful security in Paktya," he added.

With security, come improved opportunities for development, as evident through a ceremony marking the reopening and renovations of the Chamkani District Center.

Anti-government forces attacked the district center in November, leaving the building unusable. Reconstruction efforts started almost immediately, and in three months, the center reopened for government use.

The quickly-remodeled center demonstrates the strength and resiliency of the Chamkani community and GIRoA interaction, Mangal said.

"We hope this building helps to bring peace and prosperity to Chamkani," he added.

Members of the PPC and PJST spoke to the audience about achieving and retaining peace.

"Peace is a gift that should be planned for, and implemented by, all people in Paktya," Maulawi Khaliqdad, PPC chair, said. "We all have the responsibility to make peace, not only for those alive now, but for future generations."

The government cannot succeed without support from the people, and the people cannot prosper without the support of their leaders, Mangal said.

"We hope you can share all your problems with your leaders," the deputy governor added. "It's our job to solve your problems, as you work side-by-side with your own government."

Team Paktya is dedicated to partnering with the Government of Afghanistan as they work toward a stable, secure Afghanistan.