Central Bank Official in Spotlight for Personal Use of Bank Funds

The document shows that the request has been approved by the High Council of the bank, despite opposition by some former officials from the bank.

A document seen by TOLOnews shows that Asil Gul Totakhel, the comptroller of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, has used government funds to buy a house and for personal travel.

Based on the document, Totakhel is already paid a salary og 280,000 Afs a month; however, he has requested an additional 50,000 Afs to be added to his salary.

The document shows that the request has been approved by the High Council of the bank, despite opposition by some former officials from the bank.

“No one can ever go on a personal trip on the funds of the Central Bank until it is approved in the high council or by the CEO,” said Asil Gul Totakhel.

“An increase in salary does not involve one person, an increase in salary takes place based on a procedure which is approved by the high council of the bank,” said Asil Gul Totakhel, the comptroller of the Central Bank of Afghanistan.

What does the law say?

“This approach is totally inappropriate and against the law,” said Parwiz Khalili, a legal expert in Kabul.

According to the document, Totakhel also requested $9,000 from the Central Bank of Afghanistan for a personal trip to India for 36 days, but the request was opposed by the financial manager and bank’s accountant.

“For the purchase of the house–Yes! Based on the procedures and the approval of the high council of the bank, we offer a wide range of loans to our colleagues,” added Totakhel.

Totakhel said that such allegations are a conspiracy against the employees of the bank.

In the document, Totakhel has accepted that the bank provides loans to those employees who do not have their own house.

But Totakhel in the request has asked the bank to provide loans to him for the purchase of a house as an exception. Because currently, Totakhel has a house where his brothers also live.

“With the arrival of Mr. Ajmal Ahmadi, an opportunity was created for him to conspire against those with whom he (Totakhel) had personal issues, particularly those who had rejected his recommendations. Because of that, at least 30 cadres of the Central Bank were fired from the job,” said Abasin Mal, the former head of the procurement department of the Central Bank of Afghanistan.