Information & Culture Ministry criticised

GARDEZ (PAN activists and provincial council members on Wednesday accused the Ministry of Information and Culture of interference in a recent administrative exam in southeastern Paktia province.

Heads of information and culture departments from 13 provinces appeared in the exam conducted by the Independent Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission a month back.

Tribal elders, civil society activists and provincial council members held a gathering in Gardez, the provincial capital, accusing the ministry of creating divisions between civil and cultural unions.  

The council head, Khayesta Jan Ahadi, later told a news conference Mohammad Shafa Mushfiq was a suitable candidate for the post of information and culture director.

Individuals who secured high marks should be reappointed to their posts in line with the ministry’s guidelines, he demanded, and warned of protests if the ministry failed to meet their demands.

A civil society organistaion head, Habibullah Mustauan, said the ministry was trying to sabotage the coordination between civil society orgnisations.

Another civil society activist, Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai said the ministry had no other tasks, but to create disputes in Paktia.

Loya Paktia cultural union head, Syed Jamalludin, on other hand, expressed his opposition to the reappointment of Mushfiq, saying he had failed to run the office effectively during his three years tenure.

Information and Culture Ministry spokesman, Zaryalai Nawabi, told Pajhwok Afghan News they had the right to reappoint directors to any other department of a province.

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