KABUL - Ministry of Defense (MoD) has not paid the salaries of up to 15,000 employees – of whom most work in workshops - over the past three months, sources said speaking on condition of anonymity.
When asked about this, the MoD confirmed the situation but warned that the problem could have repercussions on the war fronts.
According to sources in the MoD, payment authorization just needs to be signed off by the president.
MoD officials have said that the salaries were delayed due to certain issues with the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
"Recently we were informed by the ministry of finance that the problem has been solved and soon the salaries will be paid. If the problem is prolonged, this would affect the battles," said Mohammad Radmanish, spokesman for the MoD.
In reference to the issue, some Afghan military experts and political commentators have said that pay glitches in a sense indicates mismanagement by government.
"Any kind of delay in the salary payment of defense ministry workers cannot be justified. This is an act of oppression against the soldiers of the country," said Mohammad Yasin Habib, a political analyst.
"In case there is a financial issue, in such situations even salaries of the generals must be allocated to soldiers," said military analyst Arif Pashtoon.(Tolonews)