Rahmon again accused the PIVT of inciting war

On November 16, Emomali Rahmon, during a speech marking the 30th anniversary of the 16th session of the Supreme Council of Tajikistan, once again accused the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan of inciting civil war.

Photo: Internet

Speaking at the “Arbob” palace in the Bobojon Gafurov district, Rahmon described the 16th session as a great historical event and a starting point for his statehood.

He stated that although Tajikistan’s independence was declared on September 9, 1991, the actual process of state-building began with this session, making the 30th anniversary of this fateful event for the people of Tajikistan a truly great and historical celebration.

“Our independent country, as a result of unrest and internal discord, did not have its state symbols, including the State Flag, for more than a year,” emphasized Rahmon.

Some independent experts believe that this statement by Rahmon, which is being made for the first time, may indicate that the Day of State Independence will be moved from September 9 to November 16. Just as the Day of the State Language of the Republic of Tajikistan was moved from July 22 to October 5, coinciding with Rahmon’s birthday.

Rahmon also referred to the civil war as a war imposed from outside, emphasizing that “radical Islamist forces” hindered democratic processes. Rahmon accused the IRPT of intending to create an Islamic state in Tajikistan.

“These forces placed their group and party interests above national ones, essentially pursuing the secret goals of the terrorist and extremist Islamic Revival Party, that is, with the support and financing of their foreign patrons, they intended to create an Islamic state in Tajikistan,” said Rahmon.

Rahmon also accused the leaders and employees of the ruling party structures, who, according to him, “failed to properly understand the situation, timely take measures to prevent negative phenomena, and rely on the healthy forces of society.” He accused some of them of taking a neutral position and even siding with the “rebels.”

He stated that under such conditions, the people’s trust in the government has significantly weakened, and the country found itself without a leader and guide in this dire situation, and only he dared to take on the management and was able to save the country and the nation from destruction.

“After being elected as head of state, I firmly and resolutely stated that I am an advocate for building a democratic, legal, secular, and social state,” said Rahmon.

At the same time, the only criticism that Emomali Rahmon faces today from those dissatisfied with his policies is the violation of human rights and the failure to adhere to basic democratic norms in the country. They point to the almost complete absence of a free press, opposition parties, and civil society in the country, the presence of which is an indicator of the existence of a democratic system.

Continuing, Rahmon, as in his previous speeches, repeated the clichéd expressions about economic growth over the past two decades.

“As a result, over the past twenty years, the average annual economic growth has been at the level of 7.5%, the gross domestic product of the country increased from 1.8 billion somoni in 2000 to 95 billion somoni in 2021, and the share of state budget revenues increased from 252 million somoni to 28 billion somoni.

That is, the gross domestic product increased almost 53 times, and the state budget increased 111 times, while the gross domestic product per capita increased more than 30 times.

In 2022, the gross domestic product of the country is expected to reach 114 billion somoni, and the state budget revenue will amount to 33 billion somoni,” said Rahmon.

Economists believe that these comparisons made by Emomali Rahmon are merely deception and falsification, and even people who are far from economics understand this. It is enough to compare the prices of basic products, such as flour, vegetable oil, sugar, and eggs, how much they cost in 2000 and how much they cost today. Is it possible to live today on a budget from 2000 or 2010? Rahmon also never mentions what percentage of the state budget is filled by labor migrants who work and live abroad.

Since Rahmon’s signature is on the General Agreement of 1997, he automatically becomes an accomplice to the crimes he accuses the opposition of.