KABUL - Accusing the governor of southern Ghazni province of having hands with Taliban, civil society organizations alleged that he had a meeting with Daesh leaders twice in the United Arabic Emirates (UAE).
But Governor Musa Akbarzada rejected the allegations as groundless.
Some civil society activists and Ghazni lawmakers in parliament expressed concerns about spike in kidnappings and insecurity in the province.
They alleged that routes leading to Jaghori, Malestan, Nawar, Jaghato and Qara Bagh districts had turned deadly.
Ali Akbar Qasemi, a lawmaker from Ghazni, said majority of Ghazni districts were under insurgents’ control and the government had no writ there.
He has repeatedly informed the government about the plight of the people, but to no avail.
He alleged Ghazni governor had hands with insurgents in the province and had secret meetings with Daesh leaders in UAE.
He said Gen. Yasin, an official of National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Abdul Wahid Qaderi, the governor’s advisor who are in custody had also accompanied him in these trips. He alleged they have also taken $200,000 allowance from the government for their trips.
“Allowing Taliban for firing rockets and seizure of suicide belts from governor’s office are ample proofs that the governor has hands with Taliban,” he continued.
Mohammad Shafiq Nang, the governor’s spokesman, rejected the allegations. “The governor has no hand with the insurgents. He has no meeting with any of Daesh leaders in UAE or any other country.”
The civil society activists also issued a statement that the government was unable to secure highways they should provide residents with weapons to ensure their own security.
“The Ghazni governor should be sacked immediately and replaced by someone who is not a Taliban sympathizer. The police chief should take drastic measures to ensure law and order,” added the statement.
The governor’s spokesperson said only Nawar district faced security challenges while rests of the districts were safe.
Mohammadullah Farzan, a civil society member, said kidnappings and hostages’ bids had forced many people to leave the province for foreign countries.
He said in the last 14 years, Ghazni has been unsafe making people suffer the most.
Maj. Gen. Hakim Angar, Ghazni police chief, said all highways in the province were safe. “We only had some challenges in Qara Bagh district. We have established three security posts and now the problems have been resolved.” (Pajhwok)