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No trust vote for Cabinet picks with dual nationality

No trust vote for Cabinet picks with dual nationality

author avatar
13 Dec 2014 - 17:38
No trust vote for Cabinet picks with dual nationality
author avatar
13 Dec 2014 - 17:38

KABUL — or lower house of Parliament — on Saturday decided not to give a vote of confidence to Cabinet nominees possessing dual nationality.

The national unity government is expected to introduce ministers-designate to the lower house for a trust vote in the next few days.

Under Article 72of the Constitution, those appointed as ministers should only have Afghan nationality. However, lawmakers have the right to confirm or reject his/her nomination.

Taking part in a debate on the issue, lawmaker from western Ghor province Syed Nader Shah Bahar said Cabinet nominees, who possessed only Afghan nationality, should be introduced and they should not vote for those having dual nationalities.

“The loyalty of a dual nationality holder is divided. Such ministers would also consider the interests of the other country while working for Afghanistan. We would never accept them,” he said.

He argued some dual national officials, who had been involved in corruption, had fled to the other country.

His colleague from southern Kandahar province, Syed Mohammad Akhundzada, also urged lawmakers not to vote for dual nationality holding nominees because he believed such people could not work with full honesty for Afghanistan’s interests.

“If a minister, governor, public representative or military commander has dual nationality, they should renounce it and work only for Afghanistan,” he said.

But a lawmaker from Kabul Shinkai Karokhel said a number of Afghan officials having only Afghan nationality had also committed corruption and even treason.

“Cabinet nominees with dual nationality should not be deprived of the right to serve as ministers because they cannot abandon their families living abroad,” she added.

Amir Khan Yar from eastern Nangarhar province held similar views. He said the Cabinet nominees with dual nationalities should also be endorsed because most of such individuals had more experience.

“If the issue is of great importance, then parliament members who keep dual nationalities should also be unseated,” Yar said.

From 152 lawmakers present at today’s session, 146 voted not to endorse dual nationality holders as Cabinet nominees.

Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said the house panel on central investigation, religious and cultural affairs should investigate about potential Cabinet nominees having dual nationalities and share its findings with the house.

mds/ma

 

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