KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The Khost governor on Saturday accused some political groups of interfering in government activities, creating hurdles to reforms and changes in the southern province.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Governor Hukam Khan Habibi voiced concern over interference by such people in government affairs. This attitude would hamper reform, he complained.
Without naming anybody, he said it was clear to the people of Khost who was meddling in government affairs and trying to influence appointments. He asked politicians not to create hurdles to reform in provincial institutions.
“I respectfully request them to shun interference in government departments. I will not let them do so and will expose them to the nation,” he remarked, warning against meddling in military or civil departments.
When he came to the province, the governor recalled, there were 350 military and civil servant vacant positions in the province. While trying to fill the vacancies on merit, he promised more work opportunities for the people and improved services in the province.
Like other provinces, acting directors are opposed by the people. Habibi vowed concrete steps toward elimination of the problem. He has already talked to the central government to urgently appoint professional directors.
He insisted on filling the vacant positions on merit, not on the basis of nepotism and links. “I will not let anyone influence the recruitment process. I have informed ministers if officials are not appointed on merit, I would not accept them as my subordinates.”
The governor asked the central government to positively respond to his request to provide effective services to the people. He is trying to ensure coordination among security organs to better deal with threats.
“Sometimes mysterious killings and crimes occur in the province due to corruption and negligence of officials. But the security of Khost is better than in other provinces,” he claimed. He asked security forces to accelerate their campaign against terrorism and drug smuggling and to enforce the rule of law in the province.
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