Grand assembly likely to discuss key national issues

KABUL (Pajhwok): The caretaker government on Wednesday said it plans to convene a grand assembly involving influential figures to discuss important issues facing the country.

Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the government, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Political Commission was working to convene an the assembly that would be attended by people from different parts of the country.

Maulvi Abdul Kabir, deputy prime minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, acting information minister, Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq, intelligence chief, and Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Commission for Communications with the Afghans Abroad, Anas Haqqani and Sheikh Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, acting vice and virtue minister, are members of the Political Commission.

"The structure of the meeting has been under work. Tts title is yet to be finalised and the plan for the meeting would be devised and then approved by the cabinet,” he said.

He explained no special commission had been set up in this regard, but the Political Commission that already existed was working on the plan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for Islamic Emirate, also told Azadi Radio that an assembly would be convened to discuss issues of national importance.

However, Bakhtar News Agency reported that a senior government official announced the formation of a commission for convening a ‘Loya Jirga’.

The source said Minister of Mines and Petroleum Maulvi Shahabuddin Delawar had announced the formation of the grand assembly.

The report does not mention any date for the assembly, but quotes Delawar as saying: “All Afghans, particularly influential figures who are helpful in strengthening the government, would participate in the assembly.”

Several Afghans have proposed convening a a Loya Jirga (grand council) after the regime change in the country in August last year.

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