KABUL - Baghlan high peace council has spent more than $13 million as part of government's peace initiatives since the peace council officially started its activities in the province, but they have confirmed that the projects were "unsuccessful", officials said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a number of civil society activists in Baghlan have said that if the money had been spent in the right way, there would be no more violence in the province.

"$13 million USD was spent on various projects in Baghlan since the start of the peace process in the province. However, the majority of projects carried out were not successful," said chairman of Baghlan peace council. He said that much of the money had been embezzled and that if the money had instead been given to local officials, more effective projects would have been accomplished.

"Baghlan peace council did nothing constructive. The council held only one meeting since the start of the current year which shows that the council is not effective. From the total amount of $13 million USD, if $5 million of it had been spent in the right way, today there would be no war in Baghlan province," Shamsulhaq Barakzai, a member of Baghlan provincial council said.

But civil society activists in Baghlan have said that those who spent the money should be held accountable.

"$13 million USD is a huge amount, the money was embezzled. Those who spent the money should be held accountable," head of Baghlan provincial council Mohammad Atif Arifyan said.

13,000 insurgents have however joined the peace process since the high peace council officially launched its activities in the province. Despite this, insecurity in the province has increased and fewer insurgents are currently laying down their weapons. (Tolonews)