Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    June 28, 2011

Afghanistan's Top Banker Flees Nation, Resigns

   VOA News
   Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir Fitrat
   Photo: Reuters
   Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir Fitrat

   A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called the country's
   top banker a "runaway governor," disputing claims that he left the
   country because his life was in danger.
   The spokesman, Waheed Omar, said that Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir
   Fitrat did not go through official channels to resign, but instead
   escaped the country.
   Fitrat said on Monday he resigned his post and fled Afghanistan because
   he feared for his life following his role in investigating a corruption
   scandal involving the country's biggest lender, Kabul Bank.
   Fitrat told reporters outside Washington on Monday he felt that he was
   at risk after he exposed some people responsible for the crisis at
   Kabul Bank to the parliament in April.
   Video: Afghan banker explains why he left
   President Karzai's spokesman hinted on Monday that Fitrat was
   responsible for the scandal that led to the bank's failure.
   Kabul Bank lost more than $900 million in funds and nearly collapsed
   last year due to alleged mismanagement, cronyism and questionable
   lending.
   Fitrat said in April authorities have recouped only $47 million in loan
   money and that the government was overseeing efforts to get bank
   executives, shareholders and others who received illicit loans to repay
   the money.
   Kabul Bank handles the salaries of Afghan soldiers, police and
   teachers.
   The financial fiasco has caused some international donors to question
   the stability of Afghanistan's financial system, just as the country is
   trying to take on more responsibility for security and development.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

.