Presidential Palace in a statement said Saturday the President has the authority to appoint or remove top government officials, as per Afghanistan’s Constitution.
“Under H.E. President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s (No. 13969) decree, former public health minister, [Ahmad Jawad Osmani], was dismissed on December 31, and there is no further consideration,” said the Presidential Palace in a statement.
“According to the Constitution’s article 64, the President has the power to appoint or dismiss senior government officials,” President Ghani’s office said. “The Constitution is clear,” it added.
Earlier, there were reports hitting the headlines that health minister had resigned.
But in a video shared on social media, Mr. Osmani said the President had asked him twice to resign, but he refused.
“I have not resigned,” Mr. Osmani said in the video footage. “But today a letter has been sent from [the president’s office], saying as if the resignation of the minister of public health was accepted [by President].”
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