Initially in August, the Afghan president had issued a decree to disband the security firms, which provide security to development and reconstruction activities, by December 17 despite opposition from western governments.[break]
According to the online edition of BBC, the Afghan President has given a committee a deadline of November 15 to draw up a timetable for the closure of the firms.
"Once the timetable is approved, companies would have a maximum of 90 days to disband," the British radio reported on its website.
There are more than 50 such companies with thousands of staff registered with the Afghan government, and more unregistered firms are active in Afghanistan, according to BBC.
Nepali officials estimate that some 15,000 to 20,000 Nepalis have been working in these security firms. Such large numbers, government officials believe, reached Afghanistan illegally through manpower agents despite risky working conditions due to attractive salary. Nepalis are paid from US $ 500 to $ 3,500 per month.
According to a statement posted on the website of the office of the Afghan President, Karzai is concerned that the private companies have constituted parallel structures to those of the government in delivering security and protection services, and were the cause for insecurity.
But western countries and Japan want the Afghan government to let the security agencies operate for two more years, according to Karzai´s office.
According to a degree issued by Karzai in August, the security contractors will have to either join the Afghan police force or cease operations by mid-December.
The Afghan president wants to replace foreign security guards with Afghan security forces. Karzai had pledged to limit the operations of security firms when he was sworn in as president last year.
NATO and the US military rely on security firms to protect their convoys and bases. These firms employ Nepalis, including ex-British Gurkhas and retired personnel of Nepali security forces, who risk their lives for attractive salaries.
Following the decree, Afghan immigration offices have stopped renewing visas for foreign security guards, including those for Nepalis.
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