Hope for Upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan

Posted on Apr 21, 2010 in Afghanistan, Hamed Wardak

Parliamentary elections are coming up in Afghanistan.  The word on the street is that it looks like it may not be so easy to ensure the total legitimacy of the people’s democratic right.  There have indeed been some fears in Kabul that these elections may not be without their challenges. But this does not mean that the powers-that-be are giving up without a fight.  Indeed, measures are currently being taken to ensure these elections will be as honest as possible.  And given the various developments in Afghanistan over recent years vis-à-vis the republic’s public health and educational institutes, this could be doable as well.

Electoral officers are just seeking to develop preventive measures to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself since last year’s presidential elections which ran into some problems.  Zekria Barakzai, deputy chief electoral officer at the Independent Election Commission (IEC), also committed to enforcing “a full package of anti-fraud measures” toward this end.  He is clearly hopeful that it can be done.

A matter like this is also particularly important to Hamed Wardak, one of the founders of the Campaign for a US-Afghanistan Partnership, which seeks to create prosperity and stability in the region.

Recent News with NATO in Afghanistan

Posted on Apr 11, 2010 in Afghanistan, Hamed Wardak

In recent news, as reported on CNN.com, all American troops fighting in Afghanistan will soon be under NATO rules.  AT the moment, approximately half of the U.S. troops there operate under NATO rules and fight as the International Security Assistance Force.  James Appathurai, the NATO spokesman, explained the planned changes.  As he said, the decision to place all troops under NATO “is for the purpose of unity of effort.”

Along with this change, there is also going to be a change in the amount of time that American troops can keep and interrogate a detainee.  At the moment, they have only 96 hours before they must turn over Afghans to the Afghan government.  Under the new policy, they will have as much as 14 days with detainees.

These are a few of the recent policy changes in Afghanistan as they relate to America’s involvement.  Certainly, many Afghan-American leaders such as Hamed Wardak, and many Afghan leaders are working tirelessly to improve conditions in Afghanistan and to encourage appropriate support and assistance from the American government.

Hamed Wardak Gives Back

Posted on Apr 1, 2010 in Afghanistan, Hamed Wardak, USA for UNHCR

Looking out for the needs of the most vulnerable in Afghanistan, Hamed Wardak, the President of Ludus Athletics and founder of the political movement Fedayeen-e-Sol, has pledged $100,000 to USA for UNHCR. This is the U.S. Association for the U.N Refugee Agency.  His gift will directly help people in Afghanistan.

As Hamed Wardak explains, “I have long admired and respected the work of the UNHCR. Their work is critical in Afghanistan today. I wanted to provide support to the most disadvantaged group in Afghanistan – Afghan women.”

The money that Mr. Wardak has donated will finance programs for Afghans who were displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict, and for people now returning home who have spent years in Pakistan.  The money will, in addition, target women in need.