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Findings of probe into Code 91 expenditure are untrue: Govt
Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said in response to accusations of government’s misappropriation of funds regarding Code 91 that the claims made by Etilaatroz newspaper are untrue and that some individuals have been specifically singled out.
This comes after Etilaatroz stated that over AFN2 billion ($25.9 million) of government’s emergency fund known as Code 91 had been used for personal expenses for more than a dozen government officials in the year 1398 (April 2019 to March 2020).
Sediqqi said on Twitter on Monday night that a distinction needs to be made between the allocation of funds and the principle of budget expenditure.
He said President Ashraf Ghani has always been careful when it comes to paying out money from Code 91 and that the amount stated in the report as having been spent is not true.
The report states that over AFN129 million ($1.6 million) was spent on renting houses for officials, on vehicle rentals, daily expenses, bonuses, purchasing of apartments, and travel for 15 government officials and their staff.
According to the report, presidential adviser Waheed Omer received over AFN30 million ($392,000); presidential envoy Umer Daudzai received AFN13.5 million ($175,000); presidential adviser Fazl Mahmoud Fazli received AFN12.9 million ($167,000) and presidential adviser Mohammad Afzal Ludin received AFN11.5 million ($150,000).
The report also states that former president Hamid Karzai received AFN11.7 million ($151,000) from Code 91.
Etilaatroz stated: “According to our findings dozens of government and non-government officials – as many as 70 individuals – receive money from the code.”
Only Ghani can pay out money from Code 91 but Etilaatroz’s states that during the National Unity Government’s tenure, Ghani and then Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah paid out at least AFN44 million to purchase apartments, houses, and armored vehicles for some individuals.
Presidential Spokesman Sediq Sediqqi, former president Hamid Karzai, and Presidential Adviser Shahhussian Murtazawi are also listed in the report as recipients who allegedly received money for personal expenses.
Ghani’s office rejected the report and said it is incomplete and has targeted specific individuals instead of investigating the fund itself.
Sediqqi stated: “The expenses are allocated to the offices, not for government individuals who are targeted in this report.”
He added that no money is being spent “beyond principles.”
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the continuation of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stating that the ongoing provision of such aid plays an important role in ensuring regional security.
Speaking at the international conference “Peace and Trust” in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Tokayev described addressing complex humanitarian challenges and the reconstruction of Afghanistan as a necessity.
“To ensure regional security, we consider it essential to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan, including by strengthening international efforts to address complex humanitarian issues and the reconstruction of this country. Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, educational projects, trade development, and food security initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts believe that sustainable improvement of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan requires broad cooperation from the international community and support for the country’s economic development.
“Investment can be defined as one of the fundamental drivers of the economic cycle, and whenever Afghan traders do not take their money out of the country and instead invest domestically, it naturally leads to greater growth and dynamism in Afghanistan’s economy,” said Abdul Zahoor Modabber, an economic analyst.
As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues, reports by international relief organizations indicate that millions of citizens of the country are in urgent need of food, health, and livelihood assistance.
The reduction in funding for aid organizations, the impacts of climate change, and the return of migrants have increased concerns about a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.
The Islamic Emirate has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming meeting of special envoys of regional countries on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in Tehran, despite having received an invitation.
In a statement, Zia Ahmad Takal, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Islamic Emirate has maintained continuous and active engagement with all regional countries through various organizations, regional formats, and bilateral mechanisms, achieving notable progress in promoting mutual understanding and regional cooperation.
The statement added that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes regional cooperation should be advanced by strengthening existing mechanisms and formats within the region.
Tehran is set to host the meeting next week, with special envoys from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia expected to attend.
Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said during a visit to Khost province on Friday that any government which rules through fear cannot be considered a true government.
“A government is one that is loved by its people, one that serves them with respect and compassion, and from whose behavior people learn ethics and sincerity,” he said.
Haqqani also stressed that Afghans who opposed the Islamic Emirate in the past should be tolerated and treated in a way that helps eliminate hostility and animosity, paving the way for national cohesion.
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