Govt to introduce ministers-designate in 2 weeks

Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News
Publication date: 
May 20 2017

Under pressure from the Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament regarding acting officials, the government on Saturday announced introducing ministers-designate within next two weeks for a vote of confidence.

The Wolesi Jirga in November, 2016 impeached seven ministers--including foreign affairs, social affairs, public works, education, transport, telecommunications, and higher education-- for not spending most of their development budget. However, the ministers continued on their job under a presidential decree.

On Saturday, Wolesi Jirga members once again called the continued work by acting officials as concerning, asking the government to introduce new ministers to the lower house at the earliest possible.

Gulalai Noor Safi, a public representative, told Saturday’s session sending an incomplete list of ministers-designates showed the government’s lack of seriousness.  

She said the continued work by acting ministers was against the Constitution and the culture should be ended as soon as possible.

Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said security was a serious topic and the people were concerned about the continuation of war.

He said one of the reasons behind the insecurities was running ministries by acting ministers.  He said acting ministers and directors had paved the way for the increase in insecurity.

Reacting to the lawmaker’s concerns, acting Presidential spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi told a press conference that the government was planning to address the issue at the earliest possible.

He said a list of newly-introduced ministers-designate would be sent to the Wolesi Jirga for approval in less than two weeks.

Date: 20/05/2017

Author: Navid Ahmad Barakzai

Source: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2017/05/20/govt-introduce-ministers-designate-2-weeks