MPs threatened for summoning minister Ismael Khan

KABUL said they were asked by some officials to review the decision to summon Water and Energy Minister Mohammad Ismael Khan next Monday.

It was proposed that Khan would be summoned by the Wolesi Jirga after 20 percent of the members of parliament agreed to summon the minister.

“Up to 67 MPs signed the letter to summon the minister, while 50 signatures of legislatures were needed to summon Khan, so the Wolesi Jirga decided to summon the minister,” said a lawmaker from Khost, Kamal Nasar Osuli.

The minister was summoned due to mismanagement of water and energy affairs in the provinces, not properly utilizing water in Afghanistan and alleged distribution of weapons, he said.

If Khan failed to appear in front of the Wolesi Jirga, the MPs would debate to disqualifying the minister, said Osuli.

The government has started a campaign and contacted some lawmakers to prevent summoning the minister by the Wolesi Jirga, he added.

Another MP from Kabul, Gen. Nazeefa Zaki, addressed the general session of the Jirga, saying: “We were contacted by the cabinet and asked if we summoned Ismael Khan,   certain case would be raised against us.”

She asked the government not to interfere in the activities of the legislative body and allow MPs to decide for the benefit of the people and the country. She also urged the speaker of the Jirga to prevent such official interferences.

“No one should make telephone call to us, because MPs came to the parliament for a goal, so all sisters and brothers are requested to allow us to reach the goal,” said public representative from Kunar, Wagma Safai, and also confirmed the remarks of Zaki.

However, representative from Ghor, Seema Jawinda, opposed the summoning of Khan and said there were many other corrupt ministers in the cabinet, so they should be summoned first.

“When you go to the airport on Thursday you will see many ministers traveling to Dubai for luxury holiday, some of even go there for a night, so theses ministers should be summoned,” he added.

Myn/vp

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