Mayor’s death won’t affect ongoing projects: Wesa

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): The governor of southern Kandahar province said on Wednesday that projects initiated by the slain mayor would not be halted.

Mayor Ghulam Haidar Hamidi was killed in a suicide attack on the municipality complex at 9:40am. The suicide attacker had concealed explosives in his turban, acting police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Razzaq, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

“Today, Kandahar has witnessed another tragedy. Mayor Hamidi, who served the people for the last four years, was killed in line of duty by the enemies of peace and development,” Governor Toryalai Wesa told a gathering in the city.

He denounced the attack as inhuman and un-Islamic, promising all-out efforts at arresting the mastermind behind the attack. Wesa said Hamidi had recently been offered high posts in several ministries, but he opted to serve the people of Kandahar.

Hamidi would visit every part of the province and listen to residents’ problems, the governor said, adding the mayor had initiated a number of development projects, including a huge housing scheme north of the provincial capital.

“Powerful individuals, who have grabbed land, may be pleased with Hamidi’s death, but I assure you that every wish of the mayor will be fulfilled,” the governor said.

Hamidi had launched work on a residential scheme in the Morcha Kotal area of the city. Several walls illegally established by some powerful individuals were demolished over the past three days as part of the scheme.

Acting police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Raziq, said the bomber set off explosives hidden in his turban. He confirmed that the municipality had started demolishing walls that were illegally built on government land.

Son of Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Hamidi, 65, was born in the Kohak village of Arghandab district. He received primary education University.

Hamidi, who is survived by two sons and five daughters, held senior positions in several government departments.

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