Following criticism about the spending of the Code 91 budgetary unit’s fund by the government, the financial and budget committee of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of the Afghan parliament, on Monday threatened to not allocate money for the emergency code funds in the next fiscal year’s budget plan.
The funds for Code 91 are allocated from the national budget every year.
A report published last week by Etilaatroz newspaper states that over Afs2 billion ($25.9 million) from the government's emergency fund known as Code 91 was spent for the personal expenses of over a dozen government officials in the solar year 1398 (March 2019 to March 2020).
The report shows that over Afs129 million ($1.6 million) has been spent on house rent, vehicle rent, daily expenses, bonuses for employees, apartment purchases, and travel expenses for 15 government officials and their staff.
According to the report, presidential adviser Waheed Omer has received over Afs30 million ($392,000), presidential envoy Umer Daudzai has received Afs13,561,000 ($175,000), presidential adviser Fazl Mahmoud Fazli has received Afs12,912,624 ($167,000) and presidential adviser Mohammad Afzal Ludin has received Afs11,582,455 ($150,000).
The report also shows that former president Hamid Karzai has received Afs11,700,000 ($151,000) from the code.
The financial and budget committee of the house said they need two weeks to prepare a report on Code 19 funds spending.
“The Wolesi Jirga should prevent corruption by embezzlers from the national budget and the Code 91 more than ever,” said Nahid Farid, an MP from Herat.
Other lawmakers said that a special commission should be formed to monitor the government’s activities.
“We will form a commission--a commission for monitoring all government activities not for Code 91 specifically,” said Kamal Nasir Osuli, an MP.
Lawmakers Criticize First VP Saleh Over Security
Lawmakers blamed Vice President Amrullah Saleh for resisting accountability, saying he had asked security agencies to avoid being responsive to lawmakers.
The office of First Vice President Amrullah Saleh said they respect the parliament, and that lawmakers should ask their questions to the heads of security agencies.
“The law and logic require that heads of security agencies should share required information with lawmakers and let the police and their personnel ensure the safety of the people,” said Rizwan Murad, head of media office of the first vice president.