No trust vote for cabinet picks with dual nationality: MPs

KABUL, sticking to their stance, on Monday decided not to grant a trust vote to cabinet nominees with dual nationality.

The decision was announced after a joint meeting of the three parliamentary panels and members of the administrative board. They agreed not to place ballot boxes for nominees with dual nationality.

The meeting involved members of three commissions including international affairs, culture, audit and the administrative board. The ministers-designate are expected to appear before the lower house for a vote of confidence tomorrow (Tuesday).

Abdul Qadir Zazai, who heads the international affairs panel, said it was once again insisted that nominees with dual citizenship would be flatly rejected. “It has been decided not to endorse dual nationality-holders…”

Zazai said 10 to 13 ministers-designate held dual nationality but he did not name anyone.

“For more details, we have sent letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, border police and the Attorney General’s Office, but there has been no response.  Once we receive a response from them, we will share the details with the media.”

The decision comes after three nominees declined cabinet posts, citing several reasons. Mohammad Yaqub Haidari, agriculture minister-designate, is on the most wanted list of international Police, Interpol, for tax evasion and fraud in Estonia.

Khatira Afghan, higher education minister-designate, falls below the required age of 35 years, while a third nominee, Jilani Popal, has declined accepting the slot of finance minister.

Lawmaker Helai Arshad told Pajhwok Afghan News Afghan Ambassador to the US Eklil Ahmad Hakimi had been named finance minister-designate and Asila Wardak higher education minister-designate.

hg/ma/mud

Visits: 0