Wolesi Jirga speaker chides MPs over absenteeism

KABUL speaker on Wednesday regretted that absenteeism among public representatives impeded the lower house business, including decisions on issues of public interest.

Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi raised the quorum issue at a time when only 67 of 246 members were present in the assembly session. As a result, he said, the house could not take decisions on agenda items.

If the lawmakers had been regularly attending the assembly sessions, they would have been able to summon at least two ministers over Farkhanda’s lynching in Kabul and the killing of passengers in Maidan Wardak, he added.

Ibrahimi said: “If we had summoned the ministers, the people would have realised that we are their representatives. Our mere complaints against ministers won’t address the issue; we have to exercise our discretion.”

On Monday, the minister of interior and defence, as well as and the National Directorate of Security deputy chief, were summoned to answer lawmakers’ questions on growing violence.

About 60 legislators put questions to the top security bosses. But only 33 were present when the ministers and the NDS official started answering their queries. He requested members to take active part in sessions.

“Due to the quorum issue, we have no agenda for today’s session. Parliament can’t be run like this,” deplored the speaker.  

MP Haider Jan Naeemzoy said most of members were busy doing personal things or going on foreign visits. He asked the administrative board to take strict actions against the absent members.

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