KABUL - Some political analysts and common people view giving certain privileges to parliamentarians even after completing their tenure as illegal and unfair, urging the upper house and the president to reject the legislative measure in this regard.

A day earlier, the Wolesi Jirga approved a draft law, allowing lower house members to draw 25 percent of their salaries, keep two guards and enjoy certain other privileges even after completing their tenure.

Prepared by MPs, the draft law on immunity and rights of members was placed before the general assembly on Saturday. Mohammad Naseh, political sciences lecturer at Kabul University, described the draft law’s approval of the lower house as illogical and illegal.

He said the approval was unlawful because the Constitution barred any distinction among citizens.   “This is a kind of monopolisation and misuse of office; they should make laws how to regulate social affairs not to serve personal interests. I do not see such things happen in other parts of the world.”

Having a similar opinion, another political commentator, Mohammad Hassan Haqyar, said wage was given in return for work in line with the labour law and parliamentarians could not benefit from such privileges after their retirement.

He called approval of the privileges as detrimental to the country’s economy, saying the government could not afford such favors on lawmakers whose number increased after each five years.

Presently the Wolesi Jirga has 249 members and the upper house is comprised of 102 members. Zainab, a political science student, said President Hamid Karzai should not endorse the legislative measure.

“Presently each member of the lower house draws 195,000 afghanis as monthly salary. They should not be granted such benefits,” the 22-year-old said.

According to the Ministry of Finance, 90 percent of the development budget and 43pc of the operating budget are received in foreign aid. 

Mohammad Hussain, an employee of the Ministry of Public Health, said: “They represent themselves and want their own safety and have no concern for their constituents. They prefer working for themselves.”

He urged lawmakers to work for increasing salaries of junior government servants like him who received 6,500afs in monthly salary that he said could not meet his family needs.

Mohammad Salim from Bamyan province said: “Lawmakers should be ashamed of themselves for approving such law at the end of their tenure. If this bill is signed into law, I will not participate in next parliamentary polls.” (Pajhwok)