Jaji Maidan Declared Peace District by Governor

KHOWST Province, Afghanistan – Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi officially declared Jaji Maidan a peace district at a celebration in the area’s district center compound Dec 16.

The declaration of peace districts began as a United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan initiative meant to reward areas that demonstrated success in the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups program.

“It is known in Kabul and across the land, that of all the districts throughout the country of Afghanistan, none is more peaceful than Jaji Maidan,” said Colonel Akhtar Mohammad Abrahimee, Khowst Province Chief of the National Directorate of Security, which is Afghanistan’s intelligence agency.

Many members of the Khowst provincial government attended the ceremony including the chief of the Afghan National Police and the commander of the Afghan National Army. They were accompanied by many tribal elders, leaders and mullahs from the Jaji Maidan area, many of whom had travelled great distances to attend.

Jaji Maidan means “Garden of the Jajis (the tribe’s name),” in Pashto and its people accurately reflect the name in the cultivation and protection of their home here.

Hundreds of Jajis flocked to Governor Naeemi as he strode the 800 meter steep climb from the village grounds up to the district center, perched high upon a hilltop. His procession resembled a small parade as the throngs parted for him, breaking out in spontaneous applause for the provincial governor.

The district’s stability was credited by provincial government leadership as a testament to district governor Younis and his people’s strong security posture against insurgent forces.

Leaving the ceremony, Governor Naeemi said, “This was a beautiful day for the people of Jaji Maidan.”