‘Prove allegations of collaboration with Daesh, or wear veil’

KABUL (SW): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said the government respects freedom of speech provided it does not harm the national interests.

While overseeing handing over of control of the Afghan Border Police (ABP) from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Ghani said those blaming his security team for collaborating with the Daesh should prove their allegations or ‘wear veil’.

At the MoD, interim and nominated ministers for security among a number of other top Afghan and allied leaders gathered to see the change of command.

According to the MoD, the ABP is complete 90 % in terms of personnel, 85 % in terms of small arms, 45 % in terms of heavy arms and 70 % complete in terms of other resources. Lack of proper training and installations, inadequate air support and not having nationwide coverage for up to 264 main roads and a stretch of 1,500 km official border are considered as the main challenges for the ABP.

Wais Ahmad Barmak, interim and nominated minister for the MoI, said on the occasion that the change of command would help improve security and unity of command.

ENDS