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Afghan Whispers: Parliament Talk & Media

Categories: Central Asia & Caucasus, Afghanistan, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Media & Journalism, Politics, War & Conflict

According to Yadashtayi az Gharb [1] (Persian) (notes from the West) Mrs. Malai Joya [2], deputy in Afghan Parliament [3], talked about Mujahedeens [4] in negative way in front of Mujahedeens deputies and others in Afghan Parliament (Loya Jigra). According to the blogger:

“She said there were people who sacrificed their lives when Afghanistan was occupied by invaders. She adds Many people who fought and survived the war are handicaps and can barely survive but Mujahedeens leaders became wealthy and have several hidden businesses in country or abroad. Some of them are involved with drug mafia and there is blood on their hands.”

Another blogger, Farasoye Niko Bad, shares same story with us [5] (Persian). Blogger writes :

“When she talked about good Mujahedeens and criminal Mujahed. Many deputies started to insult her and threaten her to kill or even rape her. A Tooloo cameraman who tried to film this event gets beaten up by a deputy.”

Afghan Journalism blog talks about how media reports Afghanistan & Pakistan relation related questions [6]. The blogger says:

“Thursday's piece of reporting of Karzai's speech is the recent example of developing bad blood (though not deliberately) between people and governments of the two by disseminating half truth and misguiding information. To be brief, I wish to quote the Afghan President and let the readers decide what he said: During the reign of Taliban, a minister will wait for the whole day in offices of the Pakistani intelligence agencies to meet a (army) major.

This was the “negative” part of the speech which was picked by majority of news agencies and newspapers while the rest, which I wish to quote briefly, was set aside. It is: we are thankful today and will be thankful even after hundred years to our Pakistani brothers for the support and help they extended to us for 25 years. Pakistan is our brother country. I was as much grieved over the (October 8) earthquake in Pakistan that I felt the destruction had occurred in my own country (Afghanistan). To reduce the pain and grief of Pakistanis, we offered all possible help. We have only four helicopters, which were sent to Pakistan to help them.”