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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.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced on Tuesday the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle from prison.
According to the ministry, Coyle’s mother had written to the leader of the Islamic Emirate demanding amnesty and the release of her son on the occasion of Eid. The Supreme Court considered time served sufficient and decided to release him.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this action was carried out on the basis of humanitarianism and good faith, and it believes that such measures can strengthen trust between countries. The ministry also expressed hope that both countries, in the future, can find solutions to remaining issues through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue.
The Islamic Emirate also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates in this matter.
Separately, for Coyle’s release, an American delegation, including Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met on Tuesday with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate.
The meeting was also attended by Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, Ambassador of the UAE in Kabul, and a member of the prisoner’s family.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi stated that the Islamic Emirate has not detained any citizen of any country to achieve political objectives; rather, detentions were the result of legal violations, and individuals were released after completing judicial procedures.
At the meeting, Khalilzad praised the action of the Islamic Emirate and emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on all issues between the two countries, expressing hope for further progress in the future.
Muttaqi also stressed that Kabul and the UAE should provide standard consular services to their citizens, and that the Afghan government is fully prepared in this regard.
He thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for their constructive role in facilitating the release of the prisoner and referred to the UAE as a close friend of Afghanistan.
Earlier, Muttaqi had also praised the role of the State of Qatar in facilitating information exchange between the Islamic Emirate and the prisoner’s family.
Additionally, the UAE ambassador expressed his country’s readiness to play a role in humanitarian institutions and called such developments beneficial for everyone.
The United Kingdom has announced an additional £3 million (AFN 257 million) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, aimed at supporting people affected by natural disasters and other shocks.
Richard Lindsay, in a post on X, said the funding will be used to provide essential nutrition supplies and related support to vulnerable populations.
The new allocation brings the UK’s total bilateral assistance to Afghanistan for the current financial year to £154 million (AFN 13.18 billion).
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