In a television interview this week, President Ashraf Ghani said he had the worst job in the world – a statement that has been met with sharp criticism by Afghan critics and MPs.

Some former officials and lawmakers said this statement was selfish and showed up Ghani’s inability to do the job.

Many said Ghani’s duties were “simple” and could not be compared to the responsibilities leaders of powerful countries have.

Ghani made the statement this week during a BBC interview and said he had the “worst job on earth”.

“This remark I think is out of disappointment and (it is) a failure to carry out the responsibilities for the people of Afghanistan as Mr. Ashraf Ghani has said that he has the most difficult job in the world. It is nothing but showing off and it’s a failure,” said Shewa Sharq, a political affairs analyst.

“We don’t want hours of work; we want one hour of work but with results. His (President Ghani’s) job has been to create a rift inside the ARG (Presidential Palace), he has problems with his deputy, he has problems with his political partner (Abdullah Abdullah), he has fighting over the division of power, he has problems with his governor(s), with parliament,” said Mawlawi Abdul Rahman Rahmani, an MP.  

Meanwhile, other critics blamed the president for monopolizing power, saying that by taking on all the responsibility he had himself to blame for the pressure he is under.

“The president who has either the role of foreign minister, agriculture minister, president’s role, governor’s role, district governor’s role and an MP’s role; he will definitely have the worst job. Therefore the president (Ashraf Ghani) does not trust his team and he does not trust collective work,” said Ajmal Balochzada, a political affairs commentator.

Others have however asked that if he feels he has the most difficult job in the world, then why does he stay in power?