DUSHANBE, March 31, Asia-Plus  -- People are ready to meet with us but local authorities prevent put obstacles in the way of such meetings, Muhiddin Kabiri, the deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon  (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) also the leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT), said in an interview with Asia-Plus, commenting on results of his meetings with voters in cities and districts across the country to report back them on the work done.  

We will recall that Kabiri was elected to the lower house of the parliament from the IRPT’s party slate. 

According to him, over two weeks, he has held meetings with members of the IRPT in Khatlon’s Kulob region, the Sughd province and the Tursunzoda district subordinate to the center. 

“As usual, representatives from local authorities have prevented us from holding meetings with the population,” said the IRPT leader.  “Thus, we planned to meet with students at Kulob State University but we were not allowed, and after that, we held meeting only with 20 lecturers at the university.”  

He also expressed dissatisfaction with actions of local authorities in Khujand, the capital of the Sughd province.  “The Khujand authorities did not allow us meeting with residents and our trip to Sughd turned into just meeting of the local party organization,” said Kabiri, noting that only authorities of Asht and Istaravshan districts “treated them more softly

            Asked about issues raised by voters, Kabiri said that voters had mainly been interested in issues related electrical power shortages, taxation and labor migration problems as well as religious freedom.