MPs accused of flippancy during confirmation hearings

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some lawmakers on Monday accused their colleagues of inattention and negligence during confirmation hearings involving ministers-designate.

President Ashraf Ghani introduced 24-member council of ministers and heads of two independent departments last Tuesday to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Sixteen ministers-designate and National Directorate of Security (NDS) head have explained their programmes to the lawmakers.

MP Nawab Mangal told Pajhwok Afghan News some members left the hall after posing questions. “Those MPs who pose questions should also sit until the end to hear answers. But if they don’t do this, they are in fact betraying the nation.”

He urged the legislators to pay close attention to answers and based on that grant or refuse the vote of confidence to the nominees.

Haidar Jan Naeem, another MP, said some of his colleagues left the parliament in the afternoons for personal reasons. “They always find excuses to leave. Some meet their constituents, others see minister.”

He said some lawmakers found the sessions boring and others remained absent.

“If they cannot sit until the end of the session, they shouldn’t ask questions. And if they ask questions and leave, then I think that is a betrayal to this nation,” remarked Bashir Ahmad Tanij.

Mohammad Akbari and Fareshta Hamidi — public representatives from Bamyan and Nimroz — were among those who left the house immediately after posing questions. They declined speaking to Pajhwok.

hg/mud

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