Amid hullabaloo and heated debate, an important session of parliament (Wolesi Jirga) adjourned on Monday, when four of the 11 cabinet ministers including ministers of defense, interior, urban development and higher education refused to appear before the lower house over their failure to spend a major portion of their development funds. The rest seven ministries, commerce, economy, counter-narcotics, water and energy, education, mines, information and culture failed to use their uplift funds. The ministers are accountable for incompetence.
There are many countries that have put their president or premier to stringent accusation and sever course of action. Then, why we should be hesitant to carry forth the prosecution of small number of ministers? First of all solid evidence should be gathered to ascertain that the charged accusations are supported by substantial proofs then a legitimate course of action and due procedure should be adopted to bring the culprits to book.
It is a superior trend to hold the members of cabinet accountable for misuse or deferred use of entrusted economical and political power. The parliamentarians should have taken immediate steps in the greater interests of country instead of using delayed tactics. Every arena of human endeavors in our war-torn Afghanistan requires thorough consideration and heavy investments followed by countless efforts to be wholly rehabilitated. In spite of massive budget allocation for every ministry, negligible accomplishments undertaken make every public office bearer answerable for being failed in extending services.
Our beloved motherland is passing through multifaceted crisis. Un-ending corruption, escalating insurgency, uncertain political hemisphere, financial bankruptcy, elevated illiteracy, skyscraping inflation, expedited joblessness and unconditional release of detained insurgents, risking their reunion to anti state elements are growing fears of ordinary citizens.
One of the decades long enduring problem of Afghanistan is corruption. It will bring the country to its knees if it continues, rampant graft may cripple Afghanistan. Upholding the rule of law should stand vital irrespective of one’s notable position. Anybody whether elected Member of Parliament or public official found guilty of abusing power should be subjected to strict punishments. Corruption in Afghanistan has become widely recognized as a key challenge for governance and rule of law and as an obstacle for sustainable, private-sector-led economic growth.
Without ensuring the fair and transparent handling of public funds, resources and power we can’t earn credible stature to incline the foreign countries granting us financial aid. Even the United States is found asserting an increase in the percentage of its aid routed through the Afghan government would depend on the progress in anti-corruption measures, transparency and governance.
The Afghan President was found assuring international communities and US about the governmental undertakings that they are free of unlawful means and corrupt practices. US’s re-affirmation vowing to continue supporting Afghanistan financially, technically, politically and logistically, revives the fading hope. However, Afghan authorities and Afghan people need to join hands together in eradicating corruption from the root so as to pave the way to prosperity and well-being.