New Zabul governor to fight graft, land-grabbing

QALAT (Pajhwok): The new goveor of southe Zabul province on Tuesday identified fighting administrative corruption, land-grabbing and lawlessness as his top priority.

Appointed by President Ashraf Ghani as the goveor of Zabul, Bismillah Afghanmal took charge at a gathering attended by govement officials, lawmakers and common people here.

Afghanmal in his address to the gathering said proper work had not been done in the province over the past few years and as a result, the people of Zabul faced a number of problems.

The goveor said he would try to give equal representation to all tribes in his administration in order no one felt deprived.

“I will seriously fight against corruption, land-grabbing and illegal activities and in this regard I demand tribal elders’ cooperation.”

Speaking on the occasion, provincial council chief Atta Jan Haqbayan said no development activity had been carried out in Zabul over the past few years.

“This province has been without university so far. Zabul borders Pakistan, but has no customs office. There are many areas where nothing special has been done so far,” the public representative said.

Senator Dr. Zalmai Zabuli told Pajhwok Afghan News govement officials subjected the people of Zabul to a step-motherly treatment.

“Many residents of Zabul are eligible to work in govement departments, but the govement is not giving them a chance,” the lawmaker said.

Bismillah Afghanmal replaces Mohammad Anwar Ishaqzai, who served as Zabul goveor for eight months, and has been reappointed as the goveor of Badghis province.

ma