Karzai accused of breaking promises

KABUL): Two major opposition parties on Tuesday said their hopes for a positive change in government affairs were shattered after President Karzai backed out of his promises of reforms by reappointing rejected ministers and officials.

The parties said they thought Karzai would stop compromising on key issues of national importance after holding out a number of promises regarding good governance. They also referred to the presidential pledge at the July Tokyo conference to combat corruption.

Right and Justice party member and spokesman Hamidullah Farooqi told Pajhwok Afghan News Karzai’s major decisions — driven by compromise — damaged the national interest. The masses bore the brunt of such moves, he alleged.

He said the party was optimistic of Karzai keeping the promises he made during his address to the joint sitting of parliament ahead of the Tokyo summit.

Karzai’s nominations for ministers and spy chief showed he was unable to get rid of such people, fearing they might conspire against him, said Farooqi. The nominations also revealed the government was not serious about keeping its promises, he charged.

National Coalition Front spokesman Fazl Sancharaki said appointments and replacements by Karzai were aimed at political mileage and had nothing to do with reforms in government departments.

He said though Karzai’s nominees were respectable, yet they were not professional.

ma/mud

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