Minister of Interior Wais Ahmad Barmak on Sunday said that the central government is close to settling the matter of Balkh’s governorship with ousted provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor. 

Tensions between Atta Mohammad Noor and the government will be resolved within a few days, said Barmak. 
 
“Consultations have been done, we are in touch with Ustad Atta, it will be resolved soon and there will be no crisis, agreements are closer, and they will provide an outcome in the next few days,” said Barmak. 

Barmak said systematic reforms will be put in place in the ministry of interior and that the security forces will not get involved in political issues. 

“We accept them and respect them and consider them as our brothers and countrymen and endorse their presence in power, but we will not give them the right to remove us from power, we strongly support national unity, but real national unity,” said Noor. 

Barmak also pledged to launch a crackdown on illegal weapons. 

“Now Mullah Tarahkhail and Allah Gul Mujahid are not walking on the roads with their weapons, if you see them, report them to us. A campaign against weapons in Kabul is underway and we will collect them from all including the lawmakers,” said Barmak. 

On December 18, the Presidential Palace said in a statement that the president has approved Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor’s resignation.

After approving Noor’s resignation, Ghani appointed Engineer Mohammad Dawood as the new governor for Balkh.

But Noor rejected to move, setting up a number of preconditions for the central government in exchange for his resignation.