Usmani’s dismissal perturbs some senators

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some Mesharano Jirga members on Sunday termed the dismissal of Public Health Minister Ahmad JawadUsmani as against the law, based on discrimination and politically-motivated, stressing that no individual shall be punished extra-judicially.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) and the Attorney General Office (AGO) jointly arrested four people, including a brother of former Health Minister Usmani over allegedly receiving bribe.

After the incident, the Administrative Affairs of the Presidential Palace announced that President Ghani has accepted the resignation of Usmani, but Usmani said he did not tender any resignation.

Mohammad DawodGhafari, a lawmaker from Ghor province, told the upper house today: “When the law is not implemented in a country, it kills the trust between the government and its people. People are waiting for justice, if Usmani was corrupt and thief, he should have been referred to judicial organs.”

He termed the government’s move to sack Usmani as discriminatory, illegal and politically-motivated and said if Usmani’s relatives were involved in corruption, it was a personal crime and should not be linked to Usmani.

He said Usmani should not be dismissed and instead referred to the judiciary if he was corrupt or had committed any wrongdoing.

Senate deputy chairman Mohammad Alam Ezidyar also termed Usmani’s removal as politically-motivated and added: “Crime is a personal deed and it belongs to individual who commits it. No one should be punished without trial.”

Senate CharimanFazalHadiMuslimyar did not talk about Usmani’s dismissal in his remarks.

nh/ma

Views: 7