Atta Noor warns civil servants of Balkh province against referring administrative affairs, which are the prerogative of the governor, to someone else.
Thumbnail

AVA- Citizens in the provincial capital Mazar-e-Sharif on Sunday raised deep concerns over what they described as the prolongation of tensions between the central government and their ousted governor Atta Mohammad Noor.
 
Their growing concerns follow the controversy over the ousting of Noor as governor of northern Balkh province by the presidential palace. Noor has defied the presidential decision regarding his so-called resignation and insists that he is still the legitimate governor.
 
On Sunday, Noor warned civil servants in the province against referring administrative affairs, which are the prerogative of the governor, to someone else.
 
Hussain 80 is a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif and works in the city center near the blue mosque. Hussain is the only breadwinner of his 10-member family and he hardly earns 50 to 100 Afs daily.
 
“We are working here because the security is a little bit better. If there is insecurity, then everyone is distressed,” said Hussain.
 
“Our demand is that they appoint someone whether he is Atta Mohammad Noor or someone. The important point is to create a peaceful environment for the people,” said Jailani, another resident.
 
Two weeks ago, the presidential palace in a statement announced that the president had accepted the resignation of Noor as Balkh governor. Later the government announced that engineer Mohammad Dawoud had been appointed as successor to Noor.
 
The government so far has not shown willingness to unveil its final decision about the resignation.
 
Noor defied his resignation. He has regularly attended his office as Balkh governor over the past two days and insists that he is the incumbent governor of the province.
 
“I am still the official governor. If someone acts against any documents which are related to the governor, then he will be made accountable,” said Noor
 
Jamiat-e-Islami party, of which Noor serves as its chief executive, said this week that the government had shown willingness for talks with the party in a move to resolve the Noor’s saga.