Karzai urged to name Fahim’s successor soon

KABUL members on Wednesday urged President Hamid Karzai to name a successor to late vice-president Mohammad Qasim Fahim and introduce him to the house for a vote of confidence as soon as possible.

Marshal Qasim Fahim, who died on Sunday of cardiac arrest, was laid to rest in the Deh Kipak area of Kabul after a state funeral at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

Under the Afghan constitution, there are two vice presidents, and when a vice president dies or resigns, a replacement must be named by the president and approved by the parliament.

The national assembly is currently on its winter break. But Wolesi Jirga deputy secretary Irfanullah Irfan told Pajhwok Afghan News the assembly would resume three days later after its opening by President Karzai.

Irfan called on President Karzai to announce a replacement of late first vice-president Qasim Fahim soon in order to enable the assembly to grant the nominees a vote of confidence before the Administration Board’s elections.

Both houses of parliament elect two deputy speakers and as many secretaries each year after returning from winter recess.

Khalilullah Shaheedzada, who represents western Herat province in the assembly, also said President Karzai should introduce his first VP pick, who should win the trust vote before the provincial council elections.

“The quorum is often complete during first days after the return from recess. The MPs will definitely vote because we have the elections ahead and the house wants a strong government in the wake of elections.”

On its facebook page, the National Coalition of Afghanistan, led by Abdullah Abdullah, says late Marshal Fahim was making his efforts to have credible and transparent elections and his replacement should be an experienced, influential and jihadi figure.

“It is possible the government may appoint a weak person among Marshal Fahim’s friends on his place in order to implement its plans. Fahim’s companions and political party leaders should not allow the important issue to be played with.”

But Irfan and Shaheedzada said pressure should be mounted on President Karzai in his decision to choose a replacement of Fahim.

“President Karzai should not appoint his vice president in line with someone’s wish because if the nominee is not a national personality, he will be unable to win the trust vote,” Shaheedzada said.

Irfan said the people could suggest names to President Karzai through the media and other channels, but no one had the right to put pressure on him in this regard.

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