MAZAR-I-SHARIF (SW) – The interim ministers for the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior on Friday visited Balkh to defuse the situation.
The interim minister for the MoD, Assadullah Khalid, and interim minister for the MoI, Massoud Andrabi, addressed a joint presser along with the governor, Mohammad Ishaq Rehguzar, after meeting former governor, Atta Mohammad Noor, in the provincial capital, Mazar-i-Sharif. They said the confusions over the appointment of the new police chief that resulted in exchange of fire have been resolved.
Earlier, Noor blamed the government for using state power against the people.
Situation remained tense in Mazar-e-Sharif on Thursday with everyday life at standstill following the appointment of a new police chief.
Following the directives about the appointment of the new police chief, Abdul Raqib Mubariz, the former Balkh governor, Atta Mohammad Noor, directed government employees and traders via a social media post to stay home in protest.
Mubariz has been appointed to replace Mohammad Akram Sameh, a member of Noor's Jamiat-e-Islami party. The security forces were seen on alert across the city.
Exchange of fire also took place around the police headquarters in Mazar-i-Sharif.
ENDS
