Saiqal also opts out of cabinet; no replacement yet

KABUL (Pajhwok): Mahmoud Saiqal, the minister-designate of energy and water, has withdrawn his nomination, an official said on Tuesday.

An official close to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) told Pajhwok Afghan News Saiqal conveyed his decision to the authorities in the morning.

A day earlier, minister-designate of finance Jilani Popal also declined the portfolio, saying a number of legislators had asked him for 400 appointments.

Presidential spokesman Nazifullah Salarzai confirmed Popal had been replaced by Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States.

Another minister-designate Yaqub Haidari, wanted by Interpol, has asked the government to delays his nomination as minister of agriculture.

A report on the Interpol website says: “Haidari is wanted by the judicial authorities of Estonia to serve a sentence for large-scale tax evasion and fraudulent conversion.”

Similarly, higher education minister-designate Khatira Afghan falls below the required age of 35 years.

mds/mud