Karzai orders probe into AISA experts’ claims

KABUL Investment Support Agency (AISA).

While announcing their resignations on Thursday, the experts branded their chief as incompetent and said: “The first step in the fight against corruption has been initiated at AISA.”

Presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi told Pajhwok Afghan News Karzai had directed the authorities concerned to look into the resigning experts’ claims about rampant graft in the organisation.

Asking the president to look into the agency affairs to prevent fund embezzlement, the seven officials accused AISA head Wafiullah Mukhtar of knowing little about how to lure investments and making appointments in disregard of merit.

The experts include Baryalai Malyar, Omar Joya, Dr. Roohullah Ahmadzai, Ghulam Rabbani Mansoor, Suleiman Akbari, Mir Taufiq Ansari and Abdul Ghafar Rasin.

Taufiq Ansari alleged professional employees were insulted and fired by Mukhtar, who was also blamed for mounting pressure on staff to spend lavishly on his guests, friends and relatives.

But Mukhtar scorned the allegations, calling them propaganda aimed at his removal. He insisted he had been appointed on merit, saying the seven people would be referred to the Attorney General Office if they failed to produce evidence.

Faizi said the Cabinet would take a decision on the issue after receiving documentary evidence from the Administrative Affairs Department, which has been given two days to complete its investigation. 

mm/mud