Hayat pledges reforms in Interior Ministry

KABUL (Pajhwok): Newly appointed acting Interior Minister Hayatullah Hayat on Saturday promised practical steps for reforms in the ministry and strictly dealing with those misusing police uniform.

Hayat was appointed as new acting interior minister and Mohammad Ayub Salangi as his deputy under a presidential decree issued on Friday.

However, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), said the decision to replace Interior Minister, Massoud Andarabi with Hayat had not been consulted with him and was against the political agreement.

Lt. Col. Ebadullah Ebad, deputy National Security Advisor, who introduced the new interior minister, praised the performance of the outgoing interior minister Andarabi and wished success to Hayat.

Hayat, talking to the ceremony, said he would take practical steps for bringing reforms to the interior ministry and warned those misusing uniform of serious action.

Gen. Ayub Salangi, deputy interior minister, in the introduction ceremony, also promised to work alongside other leaders of the ministry in improving security, law enforcement and empowering Afghan forces.

Gen. Abdul Saboor Qanay, deputy interior minister in security affairs, also said that he would bring reforms in the technical and technological areas of the ministry.

A number of other security officials and parliament members were also present in this ceremony.

Mds/ma