Acting ministers work contrary to law, say MPs

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Wolesi Jirga on Wednesday termed continuation of work by rejected Cabinet members as illegal and asked the government to introduce new ministers-designate.

Earlier, the Lower Housed had denied trust vote to four ministers-designate and two heads of independent institutions.

Lawmakers, however, granted trust vote to 19 ministers-designate and nominee for the National Directorate of Security (NDS). President Ghani had introduced a total of 23 ministers-designate and nominees for two independent institutions for trust vote.

Malali Ishaqzai, a lawmaker from Kandahar province, said the continuation of work by rejected ministers-designate was against the law.

“There is no lack of talent in this country. The government shall introduce new faces to replace the rejected ministers-designate,” she said.

Mohammad Naseem Mudabir, a lawmaker from Baghlan province, shared similar view and said work executed by the rejected ministers had no legal status and added the government should end the culture of acting ministers.

Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani joined lawmakers in their call for introducing new faces to replace the rejected ministers and added the government should respect the law and bring new faces to the house for a trust vote.

Earlier lawmakers had said the uplift budget of ministries run by acting officials would be suspended if new faces were not referred to the house for trust vote.

Nh/ma