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Govt Remains Silent Over Noor Saga

Amid ongoing confusion around the appointment of a new Balkh governor and the issue of Atta Mohammad Noor's ousting, certain key government department's continue to maintain their silence and refuse to comment.

The Presidential Palace has said this is for the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) to discuss but IDLG officials refuse to comment.

Meanwhile, a number of government officials, including security officials in the north, have said they are opposed to the ousting of Noor by the Presidential Palace but some members of the public and analysts have spoken out about the lack of rule of law and said all officials have a responsibility to government.

“When government generals stand against the supreme commander, it means government has collapsed,” MP Abdul Rahim Ayoubi said.

Some civil society activists meanwhile criticized government for not taking a firm stance in sensitive situations such as this one pertaining to Noor.   

“This has promoted conservatism in the current government. Government is deceiving people by saying that they consider the national interests, but I think personal interests are paid more attention to,” civil society activist Laila Jafari said.

“We all need peace, but currently we see that all the factories and companies in Mazar-e-Sharif are closed down,” one Kabul resident Abdul Wali said.

“They (government officials) should not do all these things to the people and unlike the Dostum issue, they should not keep silent,” Wahida, another resident of Kabul, said. 

A number of Kabul residents meanwhile accused the National Unity Government (NUG) of keeping quiet about serious issues and simply waiting for them to blow over. 

Government silence over the issue was also raised by Noor on Saturday at a gathering in Balkh. He also stated that neither President Ashraf Ghani nor Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have the authority to dismiss him.

Noor said he is waiting for the decision of Jamiat-e-Islami party and he will accept the party’s decision on his fate.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of ex-Mujahedeen leader Zabhullah Shaheed, Noor lashed out at Abdullah and said Jamiat-e-Islami had made a mistake in backing him during elections.

He said Abdullah was "a snake up everyone's sleeve" and that he was trying to divide the party - after having risen to power through Jamiat. 

Noor was however adamanent that despite government's attempt to oust him as provincial governor this week, he was still Balkh's leader. 

He said that he had not been appointed by "official letters (decree)" and could therefore not be fired by "letters". 

Noor said he has told the Presidential Palace on many occasions that they cannot forcibly remove him as Balkh governor. 

Noor said: "I have said many times that no one can remove me with a decree."

But Noor was adament that he would stay on as Balkh governor until such time as Jamiat decided otherwise. He says his reason for staying on as governor is to make sure development in Balkh continues and that Daesh is prevented from taking a foothold in the province.

Noor thanked all those who had come out in support of him in the past week and said the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum said his forces were ready to support Noor if needed. He also said he received the same support from second deputy CEO Mohaqiq. 

He said the Presidential Palace and the CEO's office must not use the international community and foreign forces to put pressure on him.

Govt Remains Silent Over Noor Saga

The Presidential Palace has refused to comment on the Noor saga and says its the job of the IDLG, which in turn has stayed silent.

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Amid ongoing confusion around the appointment of a new Balkh governor and the issue of Atta Mohammad Noor's ousting, certain key government department's continue to maintain their silence and refuse to comment.

The Presidential Palace has said this is for the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) to discuss but IDLG officials refuse to comment.

Meanwhile, a number of government officials, including security officials in the north, have said they are opposed to the ousting of Noor by the Presidential Palace but some members of the public and analysts have spoken out about the lack of rule of law and said all officials have a responsibility to government.

“When government generals stand against the supreme commander, it means government has collapsed,” MP Abdul Rahim Ayoubi said.

Some civil society activists meanwhile criticized government for not taking a firm stance in sensitive situations such as this one pertaining to Noor.   

“This has promoted conservatism in the current government. Government is deceiving people by saying that they consider the national interests, but I think personal interests are paid more attention to,” civil society activist Laila Jafari said.

“We all need peace, but currently we see that all the factories and companies in Mazar-e-Sharif are closed down,” one Kabul resident Abdul Wali said.

“They (government officials) should not do all these things to the people and unlike the Dostum issue, they should not keep silent,” Wahida, another resident of Kabul, said. 

A number of Kabul residents meanwhile accused the National Unity Government (NUG) of keeping quiet about serious issues and simply waiting for them to blow over. 

Government silence over the issue was also raised by Noor on Saturday at a gathering in Balkh. He also stated that neither President Ashraf Ghani nor Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah have the authority to dismiss him.

Noor said he is waiting for the decision of Jamiat-e-Islami party and he will accept the party’s decision on his fate.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of ex-Mujahedeen leader Zabhullah Shaheed, Noor lashed out at Abdullah and said Jamiat-e-Islami had made a mistake in backing him during elections.

He said Abdullah was "a snake up everyone's sleeve" and that he was trying to divide the party - after having risen to power through Jamiat. 

Noor was however adamanent that despite government's attempt to oust him as provincial governor this week, he was still Balkh's leader. 

He said that he had not been appointed by "official letters (decree)" and could therefore not be fired by "letters". 

Noor said he has told the Presidential Palace on many occasions that they cannot forcibly remove him as Balkh governor. 

Noor said: "I have said many times that no one can remove me with a decree."

But Noor was adament that he would stay on as Balkh governor until such time as Jamiat decided otherwise. He says his reason for staying on as governor is to make sure development in Balkh continues and that Daesh is prevented from taking a foothold in the province.

Noor thanked all those who had come out in support of him in the past week and said the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum said his forces were ready to support Noor if needed. He also said he received the same support from second deputy CEO Mohaqiq. 

He said the Presidential Palace and the CEO's office must not use the international community and foreign forces to put pressure on him.

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