KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani's special representative for reforms and good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud on Tuesday said that political uncertainty, drug trafficking, nepotism and nationalism are apparently hindering the process of reforms in the country.
Corruption in three branches of the government and the presence of militant groups has prevented good governance from being institutionalized in the country, he said.
According to Massoud, international support to Afghanistan and Afghanistan's membership of major international groups would help overcome the ongoing crisis facing the nation.
Talking on the prospects of good governance in Afghanistan, Massoud said that government first needs to tackle drug smuggling, nepotism, and corruption in order to pave the way for reforms.
He said that to implement reforms in government institutions, professional and non-political institutions should be established.
"All these issues mentioned created obstructions and the existence of these ... overshadowed the implementation of good governance," said Massoud.
Violation of human rights, the absence of accountability, the influence of lawbreakers on the implementation of the law, the existence of parallel programs and projects, the existence of traditional systems and bureaucracy, the lack of capacity to implement budget spend, interventions in work processes, the nonexistence of a clear national strategy in development programs, the absence of Afghans in decision making processes while implementing mega national projects, and the inappropriate working climate for women, youth and media, are among the fundamental challenges which Massoud believes are harming the reform process.
According to Massoud, in some cases Afghans are not being provided the right to make decisions regarding major national projects.
"Institutions must be nonpolitical and there should not be nepotism so that they can work in a professional manner and provide services," he added.
Massoud made the remarks during a special seminar under the theme 'Research and Scientific Seminar on Good Governance and Reforms'
The seminar was attended by a number of corruption monitoring groups and oversight commissions.
The participants urged that those involved in corruption must be brought to justice regardless of their positions.
Chairman of the High Office for Oversight and Anti-Corruption, Sayed Ghulan Hussain Fakhri meanwhile raised concerns over the involvement of powerful figures and government officials in the appointments process and said appointments must take merit into account.
"Relatives of local lawbreakers, powerful elements and officials have been hired at customs, transport and commercial ports and they do whatever they want," said Fakhri.
Delegates also reiterated calls to support the media and promote good governance. (Tolonews)