The Chairman of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Massoum Stanekzai on Sunday said rumors about the existence of a fifth pillar within the political system were completely untrue and that these rumors have been fueled by political forces.
 
On Sunday, Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House of Parliament) summoned a number of security officials including the NDS chief to brief senators about the deteriorating security situation - with a special focus on the recent spate of attacks in Kabul city that left over 150 people dead and hundreds wounded. 

The Afghanistan Ulema Council (Religious Scholars Council) has strongly condemned the recent attacks in Kabul and provinces, saying attacks on mosques and religious premises would not harm the unity of the Afghan people.

Qiamuddin Kashaf, the head of the national Ulema Council called on the Afghan people to be more vigilant, saying the enemy wants to divide Afghans by attacking mosques and religious gatherings.