KABUL - A number of reliable sources said an argument between the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum and the head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Faryab was behind the recent statement made by the country's VP.
According to the sources, the head of the NDS office in Faryab complained about Dostum to Kabul and he was supported by the central government.
"The money is not spent from the NDS chief's pocket. They [security officials] are doing this because of me," Dostum said earlier this week.
Commenting on this, Nabila Mustafazada, a member of the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) said local officials should obey the orders of the first vice president.
"The first vice president traveled to the northern provinces for the safety of the people; therefore, the provincial NDS chief and the police chief, they should obey his [Dostum's] orders because he is the second man (in charge) in the country," she said.
Meanwhile, a number of former military officials said they believe that Dostum's visits to the battlegrounds are not his responsibility.
"Any authority given to the president is given to his vice president in his absence. When the president is not here, his first vice president should control the country, including military activities. The first vice president is not responsible to travel to a province," said former military official Atiqullah Amarkhail.
"They [government leaders] have positions, palace, money and everything. Unfortunately, they do not realize the fact that what they say for their own benefit or because of their rift affects the people and even their own supporters," said Ramazan Bashardost, member of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament). (Tolonews)