KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga on Wednesday okayed a draft law requiring the Foreign Ministry’s prior approval of all international agreements.

The lower house adopted the proposed legislative measure after the Commission on International Affairs placed the six-chapter law before lawmakers.

Abdul Qader Zazai, the commission’s chief, said the 17-article draft law had been presented by the government to the assembly three months ago.

As the house debated the draft, he said the objective was to streamline the procedure for signing international treaties. 

“From now on, no ministry can sign an international treaty without getting prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the lawmaker explained.

Of the 124 members present, 123 voted for the draft law that will now go to the Senate before being sent to the president for final endorsement.(Pajhwok)