Jabar Qahraman Steps Down as Operative Commander in Helmand

Abdul Jabar Qahraman, operative commander of all security forces in Helmand, resigned from his position. Qahraman was sent to Helmand following a presidential decree in 2016. He has been in Kabul for the past two months and said that President Ashraf Ghani has not responded positively to his suggestions for reforms in security and defence institutions in Helmand. Qahraman said that the president has not signed his resignation yet. He said that poor management is the basic problem facing Afghan security forces and he hoped the National Unity Government (NUG) would pay serious attention to the challenge. Meanwhile Shah Hussain Murtazavi, acting presidential spokesman, said that he is not aware of Qahraman’s resignation. More than half Helmand province is dominated by Taleban.