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ARG states Ghani has the right to summarily dismiss a minister
Following questions raised over the legitimacy of President Ashraf Ghani’s move to fire public health minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani this week, the Presidential Palace (ARG) stated the president has the authority to dismiss senior government officials as he sees fit.
Osmani was fired this week after a number of public health ministry officials were arrested on charges of corruption.
ARG noted in the statement: “According to Article 64, Item 11 of the Constitution of Afghanistan, the President has the authority to appoint and dismiss senior government officials. The constitution is clear on this.”
ARG also confirmed that Osmani was fired on December 31 as per presidential Decree 13969.
The decision does not need to be “further discussed or reviewed,” read the statement adding that an acting minister would soon be appointed.
Earlier in the week, ARG stated Osmani had resigned but in a video message Osmani refuted the claim and said he had been asked to step down but had refused.
He stated the “president asked me to resign and I told him there are no legal obstacles to me continuing my work. But today a letter has been sent from the Administration Office [of the president] stating as if the resignation as minister of public health has been approved… this is a political plot.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Jamiat Party Atta Mohammad Noor slammed Ghani over the move and said “Ghani’s act was illegal and against the [principles of] democracy.”
Noor said his party is holding consultations over Ghani’s move and will announce its “stance” at a later stage.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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