KABUL (SW): In conversation with Salam Watandar, a number of Wolesi Jirga (lower house) members criticized the government for not replacing the ministers who lost the vote of confidence four months ago.
In November last year, the lower house of the parliament decided to summon 17 ministers who spent less than 70 percent of their development budgets. The WJ voted against nine of these ministers in the vote for confidence, but the cabinet instructed ministers disqualified by the lower house of parliament to remain in their jobs until a ruling in the matter from the Supreme Court (SC).
Meanwhile, the Wolesi Jirga members claim these acting ministers have paved way for corruption in the ministries.
Faiza Kofi, member of the lower house, told Salam Watandar the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoM) is functioning under an acting minister since one year, and the government has not introduced new minister. Ghulam Farooq Majroh, another member of the WJ, also urged the government to swiftly introduce new candidates to replace the unseated ministers. “The parliament will not allow the acting ministers to take part in the opening ceremony of next sessions of the house”, warned Majroh.
But, Dawa Khan Menapal, deputy spokesman for the President, told Salam Watandar the government is waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling in this regard. According to the deputy spokesman, the government will soon introduce new candidates for the ministries which are managed by acting ministers.
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