‘New faces in remaining cabinet choices’

KABUL (Pajhwok): Names to fill the remaining cabinet portfolios have been finalised by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah and the nominees would be introduced to parliament once the national assembly resumes work, an official said on Monday.

CEO’s deputy spokesperson Javed Faisal told reporters in Kabul the president and the CEO had agreed on names for the remaining 17 cabinet slots but discussions were still ongoing.

 “We are waiting for the national assembly to return from its winter break. The government is ready to refer the ministers-designate for a vote of confidence.”

The Wolesi Jirga’s 45-day winter-break ends on Saturday when the president will inaugurate the new session.

Faisal said a majority of the remaining cabinet choices were fresh faces and there was no constitutional bar on reintroducing the rejected ones to other portfolios.

Ghani and Abdullah formed the unity government about six months ago after a disputed presidential election last year and have since been unable to complete the council of ministers.

Of the 24 ministers President Ghani introduced to the parliament two months back, only eight had been able to obtain a vote of confidence from parliament along with the new spymaster.

hg/ma

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