Ibrahimi accused of misusing authority

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some lower house members on Saturday accused the speaker, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, of misusing his authority and position in granting foreign trips to lawmakers, but the chair dismissed the allegations.

Addressing the Wolesi Jirga, lawmaker from western Farah province, Mohammad Sarwar Osmani, alleged Ibrahimi had earned millions of dollars by misusing his authority. He accused the speaker of sending his relatives abroad instead of lawmakers on official trips.

His colleague from eastern Kunar province Saleh Mohammad Saleh also accused the speaker of misusing his authority when it came to foreign tours by MPs.  “We are four MPs from Kunar but none has so far travelled abroad on government expenses,” he said.

Similarly, MP Nafisa Azimi from southern Ghazni province and Abdul Rahman Rahmani from northern Balkh accused Ibrahimi of misusing his power. Azimi said: “The speaker allows individuals of his choice to travel abroad.”

Rahmani said: “I am speaking on behalf of the Risalat Parliamentary bloc, which has 45 members. None of the group member has so far travelled abroad.  One day we will hold a meeting to collect signatures to impeach the speaker.”

The lawmakers insisted a parliamentary delegation comprised of impartial individuals should be created to investigate Ibrahimi’s acts.

The allegations were echoed on Saturday when Ibrahimi returned from a month long trip to Saudi Arabia and appeared in the house.

Ibrahimi said he had gone to Saudi Arabia on an official trip but also performed the hajj pilgrimage.

He said he had been visiting foreign countries to represent Afghanistan as speaker of the national assembly at invitations of the host nations.

“My journey to Saudi Arabia was an official trip. I went there at the invitation of Arab leaders. I will travel to foreign countries in future as well if invited.”

He denied if any lawmaker had been subjected to discrimination in case of foreign tours and sought evidence proving he had misused his power in this regard.

Ibrahimi said gender and equality among tribes was being considered in granting foreign trips to lawmakers and he would stick to the same policy until his last day as speaker.

ma

Visits: 5