Noor’s departure worries Balkh residents

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (SW): A number of Balkh residents see the President’s approval of resignation by former governor Atta Mohammad Noor as irrational and against the will of the people.

In conversation with Salam Watandar, the residents feared security situation in the province might get worst with the departure of Noor. Many believe Atta Mohammad Noor has not tendered his resignation in the first place, and the President palace has forced him to step down.

Shujauddin Shujah, member of the provincial council, said in this regard that the Balkh residents are fearful of the Taliban, armed gangs and pro-Daesh rebels. “The armed gangs are on the rise, their affiliation is not known. They are in large number in the Mazar-i-Sharif city”.

Atta Mohammad Noor was first appointed as governor in 2004 by former president Hamid Karzai. When President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani took charge, he declared all 34 provincial governors as interim, and later extended the term of some and replaced others. Noor’s term was extended earlier this year.

ENDS