Constitution allows President to ‘dismiss high-rank officials’

KABUL (Khaama Press): Presidential Palace said in a statement, that according to Article 64, Item 11 of the Constitution, it is the President’s prerogative to appoint and dismiss senior government officials.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said, that the former Minister of Public Health, Jawad Osmani who was sacked by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on December 31st in accordance with Decree 13969, does not further require to be discussed or reviewed. According to the statement, the president has the power to appoint and dismiss senior government officials in accordance with Article 64, Article 11 of the Constitution.

He added that the acting Minister of Public Health should be identified soon. Earlier, in a video message issued on December 31, Osmani said Ghani had twice demanded that he resign, but that he had refused. “I have not resigned,” he said. “But today a letter has been sent from the esteemed administration office [of the president] stating as if the resignation of the minister of public health is accepted.”

Osmani also iterated to resist president’s decision. This comes as four officials in the Ministry of Public health were arrested for soliciting bribes, Afghanistan’s Attorney General Office said. These four individuals were reportedly busted in an AGO and NDS operation. Jamshed Rasooli, a spokesman to AGO said that all four suspects were taken into custody and investigations are ongoing in regards to the corrupted officials. Reports indicate Minister of Public Health, Jawad Osmani’s brother and cousin were involved in the corruption case.