Some parts of the Constitution omitted: Bashardost

KABUL (WJ) members on Wednesday alleged some articles of the constitution had been either altered or removed.

Dr. Ramazan Bashardost, an outspoken lawmaker from Kabul, said there was difference between constitution copies the Loya Jirga had approved and those formally printed and contained the signature of Sibghatulah Mujadidi, the then Loya Jirga head.

He claimed the difference had been made to the copy of constitution approved by Loya Jirg and the one printed formally.

For instance, he said, article 50 of the Loya Jirga copy of constitution says: “The state shall adopt necessary measures to create a healthy administration and realize reforms in the administrative system of the country after the approval of the parliament.”

He said the phrase “approval of the parliament” had been omitted from the version available.

Bashardost demanded the house summon former President Hamid Karzai, the then vice presidents Karim Khalil and Mohammad Mohaqiq, Loya Jirga Chairman Sibghatullah Mujadidi, Secretary Farooq Wardak and Foreign Minister Abdullah over the question omitting some parts of the constitution.

Mohammad Akbar, a lawmaker from Bamyan, province, said some articles had been omitted from the constitution but the media and parliament was yet to pay attention. He said differences existed between copies printed and the one approved at Loya Jirga.

Deputy Speaker Naimatullah Ghafari, who chaired the session, tasked the investigative commission of the house to probe the issue.

nh/ma