Senators differ over Noor’s resignation

KABUL members on Tuesday said changing and replacing government officials was part of governance but others said the Balkh governor should be treated under the national unity government agreement.

President Ashraf Ghani approved the resignation of Atta Mohammad Noor, the governor of northern Balkh province, on Monday and he appointed Eng. Mohammad Daud as his replacement, according to a statement.

At today’s session of the upper house, Senator Anakali Hunaryar, talking about Noor’s resignation, said: “Changing and replacing officials is a basic process, we ask Atta Mohammad Noor and his supporters not to politicize the issue.”

She said replacement of officials happened in all government organs and it was a normal process and was not related to a specific tribe.

Mohammad Hassan Huttak, another member of the Meshrano Jirga, was also on the same view. “Approval of Noor’s resignation is a controversial issue, we ask him to approve the president’s decision whether he has resigned or not, for the sake of national unity.”

He asked the government to appoint Noor to a different position considering his character.

However, senator Mualvi Mohiuddin Munsif said; “We ask the government to treat Noor in line with the law and the agreement of the national unity government.”

Senator Abdullah Qarlaq said: “This action of the president would fuel crisis, the president should be careful about the consequences of his acts.”

Mohammad Alam Ezdyar, first deputy chairman, who chaired today’s session, said that the government should consider the country’s sensitive situation while taking action.

mds/ma