KABUL - The Afghan Anti-Corruption Network (AACN) on Friday voiced its deep concern at the collective resignation of seven senior Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA) officers.
The experts, who accused the new head of the agency of corruption and nepotism, informed the AACN of their decision through a letter. They also communicated their decision to President Hamid Karzai.

On Thursday, the resigning staffers told reporters in Kabul: "The first step in the fight against corruption has been initiated at AISA" -- an entity known for transparency until recently.

Asking the president to help prevent fund embezzlement, they accused AISA head Wafiullah Mukhtar of knowing little about how to lure investments and making appointments to key positions in disregard of merit.

Baryalai Malyar, the department head for industrial parks, Omar Joya, research and policy department chief, Dr. Roohullah Ahmadzai, investment development head, Ghulam Rabbani Mansoor, license director, Suleiman Akbari, deputy head for investment support, Mir Taufiq Ansari, deputy head of research and policy, and Abdul Ghafar Rasin, industrial affairs expert, resigned their positions.

The watchdog urged President Hamid Karzai to order the Attorney General Office and the judiciary to investigate the allegations and prosecute those found involved in graft.
"For economic development and self-sustainability, the government must encourage domestic and foreign investments in the country," a statement from the network said.

Allegations of corruption in AISA could harm the investment and the private sector in the country, the AACN warned, asking the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce & Industries and the international community to take up the issue with the Karzai government.

"AACN would like to remind the Afghan government and the international community of their latest commitments to fighting corruption and urges them for their immediate and serious action over the corruption allegation." (Pajhwok)