Minister of Water and Energy Ali Ahmad Osmani said on Sunday afternoon that his authorities have been limited under the National Unity Government (NUG) and the he was ordered not to attend Friday’s inauguration of the TAPI gas pipeline project.

He also said contracts get signed without his knowledge or consent.

Although he did not name anyone for limiting his authority, he said a number government officials sign contracts on behalf of the ministry that he is not familiar with.

According to Osmani, in recent days a team of seven people from the ministry was supposed to go Herat to sign the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan (TAP) 500 kilovolts power project – that is part of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indian (TAPI) pipeline project. But at the last minute he was told they were not going to Herat. 

Osmani said the Presidential Palace ordered them not to attend.  

“Seven people from different units were supposed to go to Herat, but the day before we were told by the Presidential Palace that we could not go to Herat because it was not important for us tosign (the agreements); but it is important for us that TAPI and TAP projects are implemented,” Osmani said.