Senate calls for Kandahar governor’s dismissal

KABUL, upper house of Parliament, accusing the governor of southern Kandahar province of treason, on Sunday called for his dismissal.

The call came after Governor Toryalai Weesa did not appear before the house despite being summoned twice to explain how an imposter was able to collect sensitive information from the provincial departments.

Reports surfaced last month that a man posing as a senator visited various government departments, including the spy service, and made away with confidential data.  However, local officials insist the man had not been given any sensitive information.

Senate Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar said Weesa had been summoned to appear before the house today, but failed to turn up.

He said the imposter identified as Sarhadi had introduced himself as member of the Senate Defence Commission and travelled to Maroof and Dand districts, where he was handed sensitive data by the National Directorate of Security office, the police headquarters and the information and culture department, the chairman claimed.

Senator Dr. Zalmai Zabuli, who represents southern Zabul province, said Weesa and the High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption (HOOAC) head, Azizullah Lodin, were involved in misappropriating funds but   did not elaborate. He asked lawmakers to boycott the house sessions until the two officials were sacked.

But HOOAC head Lodin dismissed Zabuli’s claims as baseless, arguing under the relevant law he was only answerable to the President on his department’s activities and said the Senate should get permission from President through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to summon him.

Another legislator Hafiz Abdul Qayum said: “As secret information of government departments are leaked to an imposter, treason charges should be leveled against Governor Toryalai Wesa.”  

Weesa had been installed on the post by Canada in order to serve its interest in the province, another senator, Nisar Haris, said.

The Senate chairman said the house would send a letter to the President based on recommendations of the lawmakers to probe leakage of sensitive data to an unknown person. A majority of senators raised green cards in favour of Muslimyar’s statement.

However, the Kandahar governor’s spokesman had previously said Sarhadi was a former senator, who visited the province in connection with the construction of a museum. Zalmai Ayubi said the governor had introduced him to the information and culture department.

The man returned without reaching an agreement with the department, the spokesman said, insisting government officials did not divulge any sensitive information.

The Meshrano Jirga also asked President Karzai to honour the Loya Jirgas’ recommendations before inking the strategic cooperation pact with the US, saying the pact should be first approved by the national assembly.

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