HERAT - President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has sacked at least 30 civil and military officials in western Herat province and referred them to judicial organs, officials said on Sunday.

Earlier on Saturday, Ghani traveled to Herat to assess recent spike in insecurity and apprise himself of governance related issues. He also met the officials, elders, provincial council and civil society members.

Officials fired by the president, included Attorney General, heads of custom, education, electricity, fuel, and 15 district police chiefs following complaints by locals of their inefficiencies.

Speaking to journalists last night, Ghani said locals had serious reservations about the officials who had been made on the go. “If they were pleaded guilty in court they would be punished otherwise they would be set free.”

The president was accompanied by a number of acting ministers and members of the National Security Council. Ghani’s trip comes three days after he dismissed governor Syed Fazlullah Wahidi.

A week ago, civil society activists in Herat took out protest rallies against growing insecurity, prompting the central government to send a high-powered delegation to Herat on Tuesday to probe the situation.

He pledged new officials would be appointed after passing certain exams. After every three months, all the local officials, including mayor would also be evaluated by people, he said.

Ghani assured residents that work on various projects like industrial town, electricity and creating job opportunities were underway to minimize the scale of joblessness and ensure development.

He said the government was planning to transform Herat into international trade and transit hub. (Pajhwok)