Wolesi Jirga team meets Abdullah on cabinet delay

KABUL’s administration board on Monday said if lawmakers’ talks with the president and the chief executive officer (CEO) about the delay in cabinet formation failed to yield any positive outcome, the assembly would take another decision.

Ten days ago, the lower house had set the government a week-long deadline to introduce cabinet nominees for a vote of confidence. The assembly had warned of a unilateral decision if the government failed to meet the deadline (Saturday last).

But on Saturday, the Wolesi Jirga decided to send a delegation to meet the president and the CEO on reasons behind the delay in cabinet formation.

Wolesi Jirga deputy secretary Irfanullah Irfan told reporters on Monday the parliamentary delegation would meet today with CEO Abdullah Abdullah.

The delegation, comprising members of the administration board, 18 house commissions and leaders of parliamentary groups, met in the afternoon with Abdullah, but outcome of their talks is yet to be shared with media persons.

Irfan said the assembly had sent a letter to President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, requesting him to meet the parliamentary delegation, but there had been no response as yet.

He brushed aside speculations that the president had refused to meet the delegation. “I reject these rumours. God willing, we will meet the president until Thursday.”

Irfan said if the sittings did not yield any positive outcome, the Wolesi Jirga would make another decision at the general session on Saturday.

However, he did not explain what decision the house would likely to take, but insisted the government should introduce the cabinet as soon as possible to end the issue of acting officials.

Over the past three months, ministers, governors and departmental heads have been performing duty in acting capacity.

Meanwhile, second deputy speaker Rafiullah Gul Afghan criticised the delay in cabinet formation. He said the delay was a result of differences between the president and the CEO, threatening key sectors.

He believed the president and the CEO could not form the cabinet in months to come. “People had great trust in the two leaders, but their talks remained talks and did nothing in practical.”

Gul Afghan warned if the cabinet formation was further delayed, the masses, already fed up with numerous problems, would embark on a series of protests.

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