MPs refuse to budge on dual-nationality question

KABUL (lower house) members, clinging to their pose, said on Wednesday they would not vote for dual citizen cabinet nominees.

The unity government on Tuesday announced 24 ministers-designate and nominees for the National Directorate of Security (NDS (central) Bank.

The lower house is expected to grant or deny the nominees a vote of confidence to on Sunday after listening to their priorities for three days.

However, Kamal Nasir Osoli, who heads the Religious and Cultural Affairs Commission, said eight of the cabinet candidates held dual nationality and they would not be granted a trust vote as decided by members of three panels and the administrative board.

As part of their decision, he said, a committee had been formed to further delve into the issue.

Osoli said the documents of five ministers-designate were found authentic before they were allowed to explain their future plans to the public representatives.

Lawmaker Asadullah Sadati said some nominees had confirmed their dual citizenship and others had denied. He urged colleagues to act in line with their evaluation of documents of the nominees.

He said the assembly had received written testimonies from the cabinet picks making clear that they should be treated in accordance with the law.  

MP Abdul Sattar Khawasi said Article 72 of the Constitution barred dual nationality-holders from becoming a minister of the house. He hoped the article would be upheld and complied with.

Siddique Ahmad Osmani, who chaired the session, ruled the assembly was bound to act in accordance with Constitutional provisions. He said the government had the authority to interpret laws.

Lawmaker Gul Pacha Majidi said the newly-formed committee comprising members of three commissions tended to confuse the issue of dual nationality. He underlined the need for a clear parliamentary stance on the matter.

nh/ma/mud

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