KHUJAND, April 15, 2015, Asia-Plus -- by April 15, Sughd province has reached 63.3 percent of its spring conscription campaign target, an official source at the Sughd military registration and enlistment office.

According to him, the city of Istiqlol as well as Shahriston, Kuhistoni Mastchoh and Zafarobod districts have already fulfilled their conscription targets while Ayni, Jabborrasoulov, Ghonchi and Spitamen districts will fulfill their conscription targets within the next few days.    

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree on drafting young Tajiks into the country’s armed forces from April through May 2015 on March 12.

The draft affects able-bodied male citizens in the age bracket of 18 years old to 27 years old, who are not members of the armed forces reserve.  The same decree provides for the retirement from active duty of soldiers and sergeants whose service under conscription is over.

According to the data from the Ministry of Defense, every year, some 15,000-16,000 young Tajik men are drafted into the country’s armed forces.  The two-month-long effort seeking to enlist young men aged 18-27 for the two-year compulsory military service takes place twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn.

Young Tajiks can avoid or postpone military service if they are ill, studying at university, an only son, or if they have two children.