DUSHANBE, July 31, 2012, Asia-plus – President Emomali Rahmon is scheduled to visit Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in late August.
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on July 31 that Minister of Defense Sherali Khairulloyev has noted that at a meeting with Khorog city activists.
According to him, President Rahmon will arrive in the city to attend celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the city of Khorog.
The meeting took place at the Khorog mayor’s office Tuesday morning and Khairulloyev presented his apologies for civilian casualties that occurred during the military operation and expressed condolences to families and friends of civilians killed during the operation. He noted that the government forces had also incurred large losses.
The minister also appreciated assistance of local activists and representatives of the Aga Khan Foundation for organization of the voluntary disarmament process in Khorog.
We will recall that the Ministry of Interior said on July 31 that illegal armed groups in Khorog have laid down more than 200 weapons as part of a truce agreement.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior announced that an amnesty would be offered to armed groups who surrendered voluntarily.
Meanwhile, a July 30 meeting of the government, presided over by President Rahmon, reportedly endorsed a number of new national development programs.
40 hectares of lands will be allotted to 272 vulnerable families in GBAO’s Darvoz district and 76 hectares of lands will be allotted to 758 vulnerable families in GBAO’s Vanj district, the president’s official website said.
The head of state ordered relevant officials to take adequate measures to provide all markets across the country, especially in Gorno Badakhshan, with enough food products and make timely preparations to ensure the regular work of the country’s economy during autumn-winter 2012-2013.
