Justice, counternarcotics ministers survive no trust vote

KABUL (Pajhwok): Counternarcotics Minister Salamat Azimi and Justice Minister Abdul Basir Anwar on Monday survived no confidence motions after they satisfied lawmakers about their ministries’ budget spending.

The Wolesi Jirga on December 17 summoned the ministers of public works, justice, counternarcotics, transport and telecommunications and IT over spending less than 70 percent of their development budget in 1396 fiscal year.

In today’s session of the lower house, 131 lawmakers were present for hearing explanation from the two ministers about their budget spending. Both the ministers were able to satisfy the lawmakers.

Salamat Azimi was granted the confidence vote to become counternarcotics minister on April 20 last year.

Abdul Basir Anwar, who has occupied the justice ministry portfolio since 2015 received 67 votes in his favor and 57 votes against him in today’s session and survived being disqualified.

Anwar was also summoned by the Wolesi Jirga about budget spending but he did not attend the session. However, lawmakers decided in his absence but did not disqualify him.

Yama Yari, urban development minister, who was summoned on Saturday, also survived no confidence vote.

According to Article 92 of the Constitution, the lower house, on the proposal of 20 percent of all its members, shall make inquiries against ministers. If the explanations given are not satisfactory, the house shall consider a no- confidence vote.

Based on the Wolesi Jirga’s panel heads committee decision, the house would summon ministers of transport and IT and telecommunication on Wednesday.

mds/ma