17 ministers assume office without taking oath

KABUL (Pajhwok): Seventeen ministers, who have obtained the trust vote from Parliament, have started their work without taking the oath.

Kabeer Ranjbar, a political affairs expert, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Continuation of a minister work without taking oath is 100 percent against the law and Constitution of the country. Article 74 of the constitution clearly explains this matter.”

Article 74 of the Constitution says: “Prior to taking office, the minister performs the following oath in the presence of the President: "In the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate: I swear in the name of God Almighty to support the provisions of the sacred religion of Islam, follow the Constitution and other laws of Afghanistan, protect the rights of citizens, and safeguard the independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, and consider God Almighty present in performing all my responsibilities, and honestly perform the duties assigned to me.”

Ranjbar said an individual was recognized as a minister after taking oath, otherwise, he/she was an ordinary person.

He added the fact that these ministers had started working sans taking oath was totally against the law.

On the other hand, RanginaHameedi, Haseena Safi, MujeebRahmanKarimi and AjmalAhmadi who had been rejected by the Wolesi Jirga as ministers-designate still continue their job.

Ranjbar said continuation of the above five individuals as ministers and head of Da Afghanistan Bank was also in violation of the Constitution.

“This is a kind of dictatorship and interference in the parameters of legislative, this means snatching the authority of Wolesi Jirga by the executive.”

Pajhwok strived to get the view point of the Presidential Palace on this but could not reach for comment.

nh/ma