KABUL - Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament members on Monday again called as against the Constitution the continuation of work by the impeached ministers and asked the government to introduce their replacements at the earliest possible.
The Wolesi Jirga about two weeks ago summoned 16 ministers over failing to utilize less than 70 percent of annual budget and voted out the ministers of foreign affairs, labor and social affairs, public works, education, transport, communication and higher education.
The government then referred the matter to the Supreme Court and instructed the impeached ministers to remain in their jobs until a ruling by the Supreme Court.
The lower house in reaction tasked a delegation to take a decision. The delegation on Monday termed the stay of the disqualified ministers in office as against the Afghanistan Constitution.
The delegation also sent a letter to the government, asking it to introduce other individuals for of a vote of confidence to replace the unseated ministers.
The letter was read out by Abdul Qayoom Sijadi, a public representative from Ghazni province, at today’s session. In the letter, the government has been asked to respect lawmakers’ decisions.
The government has been asked to send the electoral reform legislative decree to the house for approval.
The letter said the house wasn’t in favor of any confrontation with the government and called it against Afghanistan’s people interests.
However, sending the letter to the government was opposed by Ramazan Bashardost, a lawmaker from Kabul.
Bashardost wasn’t permitted by the administrative delegation to talk and his microphone was turned off. The outspoken lawmaker said sending letters to the government was meaningless and would damage the Wolesi Jirga’s position.
However, Haji Zahir Qadeer, 1st deputy speaker of the house, who chaired the session, said summoning of ministers was the Wolesi Jirga’s red line and the house wouldn’t compromise on it and the letter was aimed at cooperating with the government and not to cut a deal. (Pajhwok)