MPs OK draft laws opposed by president

KABUL on Monday approved with a majority vote two draft laws that were rejected by President Hamid Karzai. The proposed measures concern the composition of judicial organs and families of martyrs and people with disabilities.

One of the draft laws states that a judge should not be given extension in service on attaining 65 years of age and the Constitution be interpreted by the relevant commission, Wolesi Jirga Secretary Abdul Sattar Khawasi told the lower house.

But he said the president, opposing both provisions, insisted that judges could be given extension even after they reached 65 years and that the Supreme Court should continue interpreting the basic law.

According to Ramazan Bashardost, a member of the house panel on martyrs and disabled people, the second draft law suggests an increase in monthly stipends for families of martyrs from 1, 500afs to 5,000afs.

In line with the Constitution, Bashardost said, the draft law was sent a month ago to the president, who rejected it due to lack of funds.

Of the 195 legislators present during the session, 190 voted in favour of the proposed laws that have also been passed by the Meshrano Jirga (upper house).

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