10 ministers secure trust vote from Wolesi Jirga

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ten ministers-designates, who explained their work plans to the Wolesi Jirga last week, were granted the trust vote on Saturday.

In line with the decision of the heads of Wolesi Jirga Commissions, the lower house today held a voting process for the ministers-designates.

On October 20, President Ghani referred 22 ministers-designate and heads of two independent commissions to the Wolesi Jirga for the vote of confidence.

A total of 246 lawmakers participated in the voting process and the threshold for a nominee was 124 votes.

After the voting, Fazal Ahmad Manavi secured 220 votes and became Justice Minister, Masoud Andarabi secured 214 votes to become Interior Minister, Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani secured 213 votes to become Trade and Commerce minister, Asadullah Khalid got 206 votes to become Defence Minister and Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal secured 205 votes to become Finance Minister.

In addition, HanifAtmar secured 197 votes to become Foreign Minister, Abbas Basir got 197 votes to become Higher Education Minister, Bashir Ahmad Tayanj got 190 votes to become the Minister of Social Affairs and Martyrs, Masouma Khawari got 154 votes to become Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister, and Mohammad QasimHaleemi got 148 votes to become Hajj and Religious Affairs Minister.

The voting process started at 9:00am amid uproar by some lawmakers.

Abbas Ibrahimzada, second deputy speaker, said a kind of campaign was underway that they could possibility be put into the ballot box.

Speaker Mir RahmanRahmani said: “Today’s voting process completes the Cabinet and will strength the government body to work.”

He wished success to all ministers who got the trust vote.

nh/ma

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