Parliament again delays summer recess

KABUL): Parliament on Sunday announced that it would not take the remaining 15 days of its summer break, in hopes that President Karzai would soon send his cabinet picks to the chamber for a vote of confidence.

The house has twice earlier delayed its recess for periods of 15 days each to allow Karzai time to finalise his list of cabinet ministers-designate and heads of independent organistions, including the Supreme Court.

Lawmakers insisted the introduction of new cabinet ministers to replace the acting ministers was an issue of national interest and should be resolved without further delay.

The announcement of the new recess delay came after a number of lawmakers proposed they should not leave for the remaining 15 days of summer vacation.

When Speaker Abuld Rauf Ibrahimi asked MPs to offer their opinions on the issue by raising their cards if they wanted the recess to be further postponed, 144 of 145 lawmakers present raised their green cards.

The recess was due to begin June 15, but was delayed for 15 days until June 30, and then for another 15 days until July 15. This is the third 15-day delay Parliament has agreed to in hopes that Karzai will send his cabinet picks.

Over the past two years, acting ministers have been heading several ministries.

Lawmakers earlier opted to observe silence to protest Karzai’s failure to send the nominees, but Karzai still did not send his cabinet picks. The MPs have since begun discussing key issues, including the controversial election court’s decision to disqualify 62 lawmakers.

ma/kg

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