KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani's suspended legal advisor Abdul Ali Mohammadi recently called on government offices to purchase gas from Khalilullah Frozi's company – Gas Group – so as to help pay off the convicted Kabul Bank defaulter's loans.
Mohammadi, who was suspended late Tuesday over a controversial housing project contract informed all government offices – via the Ministry of Finance – that they could sign deals with Frozi's company.
In a typed document dated November 2, 2015, and addressed to the Ministry of Finance, the letter stated: "Based on the agreement between Kabul Bank clearance department and the Gas Group company, the Gas Group has recently restarted its supply services."
It then stated: "The revenue earned by this company will go to the loan department of Kabul Bank to cover the loans of Khalilullah Frozi. Therefore it is requested that all government offices should be given notice to sign agreements with this company to meet their supply needs."
The document was then signed by Abdul Ali Mohammadi, President's Legal Advisor.
In handwritten notes at the bottom of the document, it states copies of the document should be sent to the clearance department of Kabul Bank and to the administrative affairs office of the Presidential Palace. This comes after Mohammadi vehemently rejected claims on Wednesday stating that he had been involved in the recent signing of a controversial housing contract between the Ministry of Urban Development and Frozi.
Mohammadi told the Senate's Complaint Commission that letters he sent to the Ministry of Urban Development do not give any instructions regarding the signing of the housing contract.
But Urban Development Minister, Sayed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, claimed he had received several letters from Mohammadi urging him to sign the "Smart City Township" project with Frozi – who was jailed for 10 years in a court verdict last November after being found guilty of defaulting on loans that helped lead to the collapse of Kabul Bank in 2010.
While showing letters to the senators, Mohammadi asked: "In what part of this letter has the minister of urban development asked to sign a contract with Khalilullah Frozi."
Ghani on Tuesday night suspended Mohammadi, over allegations of his involvement in the signing of the controversial housing scheme project.
Mohammadi allegedly facilitated the signing of the "Smart City Township" project - worth over $900 USD. The deal was inked about two weeks ago. However, after mounting criticism of government, Ghani cancelled the contract within a week and ordered an investigation into the issue. (Tolo News)