Karzai selects fired minister for key post

Source Guardian (UK)

Hamid Karzai has offered the main responsibility for fighting Afghanistan's narcotics industry to a sacked former interior minister who was widely accused of corruption and incompetence during his time in government. Zarar Ahmad Moqbel has been named as one of 16 candidates for posts in Karzai's next cabinet. International pressure to sack Moqbel grew at the end of 2008 when it was belatedly realized that rampant corruption in the police was helping to drive Afghans into the hands of the Taliban. During his tenure the ministry became infamous for selling senior police positions. Provincial police chiefs would then make a return on their investments by extorting bribes from civilians and protecting narcotics and kidnap gangs.