High-ranking MoFA officials get marching orders

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least six directors and high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been removed from their positions, a government source revealed on Wednesday.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confided to Pajhwok Afghan News the decision on their sacking was taken today by Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.

Sameer Bidrod had been fired as human resource director, Najib Aqa Fahim as policy and strategy director and Shakib Mustaghni as spokesman, the source disclosed.

Fahim Ibrat, deputy spokesperson, Shoaib Habibi, deputy chief of staff, and Salem Wahdat, archives director, were placed on the suspended list.

Another source said four of the officials had been sacked, but the archives director and the spokesperson were yet to be formally replaced; they continue with their duties.

Najib Aqa Fahim, who has reportedly been nominated as minister of justice, is being replaced by Nazifullah Salarzai as director of policy and strategy.

On Tuesday, the ministry spokesperson told journalists that no official had been sacked. He added the government was committed to reforms.

Pajhwok has found the sacked officials had been appointed by former foreign minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani in violation of due procedures and exams.

Mostly sons and close relatives of government officials and members of parliament hold key posts at the MoFA.

President Ashraf Ghani recently dismissed 11 ambassadors and directed ministry officials for thorough reforms.

hg/mud

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