Mohaqiq will continue to stay in office, says Natiqi

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The acting chief of Hezb-i-Wahdat Islami said on Friday Mohammad Mohaqiq would continue to work as 2nd deputy chief executive.

President Ashraf Ghani was not authorised to sack the deputy CEO, who was dismissed soon after he joined Hanif Atmar’s team as a candidate for vice-president.

In reaction to Mohaqiq’s dismissal, the party warned the move would trigger instability. Uncertainty would not serve the interest of any individual or group, it said.

Mohammad Nateq Natiqi told a news conference in Kabul that the national unity government had been formed on the basis of an agreement. He added Mohaqiq had been appointed as 2nd deputy chief executive based on a massive public mandate. Natiqi slammed his firing as a violation of the agreement.

The president did not have the authority to remove the deputy CEO, the Hezb chief insisted, saying Mohaqiq would continue in his office.

On the other hand, the Presidential Palace says Ghani has the power to hire and fire officials under Article 64 (clause 13) of the Constitution.

Natiqi accused the president of trampling several times on the power-sharing deal over the last 18 months. The party had decided that Mohaqiq would stay in office till the expiry of the government’s tenure. (Pajhwok)