Provincial officials open new district center in Jaji

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of Paktya’s provincial government travelled to Jaji District Dec. 27 to discuss security and development and take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new district center.

Paktya Provincial Deputy Gov. Abdul Rahman Mangal was among those who attended.

The trip to Jaji was part of the Provincial Travel Agenda, for which 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment of the Iowa Army National Guard arranged travel.

“We really appreciate that the (Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team) arranged this and have made it easier for us to travel,” said Mangal. “It’s not good governance when you sit behind a desk and don’t get out to see the people.”

During the ceremony Azad Khan, district subgovernor for Jaji, discussed several important issues for the district.

Khan’s primary emphasis was security, referring to Jaji as the gate of security for the province due to its shared border with Pakistan. He expressed the need for more Afghan National Security Force personnel.

“We need to increase our (ANSF), and that is what we are asking of Deputy Governor Mangal,” said Khan. “We have a population of 200,000 people and villages up to 35 kilometers away. It is not too much to ask to increase our security forces.”

The subgovernor also addressed various development issues, including schools and local road projects.

Jaji has 41 schools for 16,000 boys and girls. There are also 12 Centers of Educational Excellence, where children go for religious and vocational education. Khan highlighted the fact that more COEEs need to be built inside Afghanistan to prevent children from having to travel to Pakistan for their education.

After the discussion on development, the commander of the local Afghan Border Police, Col. Nabi, and the local chief for the Afghan Uniformed Police, Col. Etbar Shah Shinwake, spoke about the security situation in Jaji.

Both commanders highlighted the fact they share a 45 kilometer border with Pakistan, which poses as a security challenge, but both commanders agree that Jaji is secure.

“Our security situation is good right now because we have good communication and coordination with the local population,” said Shinwake.

Mangal also spoke about security and development progress in the district, reassuring the Jaji officials that the provincial government will address the challenges the district faces.

“Your concerns with the contractor and the road; we will take steps to resolve those issues,” said Mangal.

The PRT and Task Force Lethal will continue to arrange travel opportunities that will facilitate closer working relationships between the provincial government and the outlying districts of Paktya.

“This is the truest nature of government, and we see it blossoming day by day as their capacity and confidence to engage their communities strengthens. We are very lucky to have such great partners that have taken a personal stand over the last year to reach out to the people of their districts and start to strengthen the governmental tie with them,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marchal Magee, the PRT commander, from Issaquah, Wash. “This is the intent of these government outreach missions; to bring their government to the people and to help them see the value that their government can provide to their communities.”