KABUL - Some Meshrano Jirga (MJ) members on Tuesday said delay in introducing new Cabinet picks contributed to growing insecurity in the country, asking the government to pay attention to their call.

After being sworn in on Sept 29, President Ashraf Ghani promised introducing ministers-designate to the parliament for a vote of confidence within 45 days.

Under a presidential decree, all current governors and departmental heads have been performing their duties in acting capacity. Under the relevant law, the time of acting capacity should not exceed a month.

Syed Mohammad Saeedi, who represents central Maidan Wardak province in the upper house, said the government should introduce new Cabinet members at the earliest because acting governors were not performing with responsibility and as a result, insecurity had increased.

“Insecurity and joblessness has annoyed the people. I urge the president to send his Cabinet picks to the parliament as soon as possible.”

Similar views were expressed by Mahmood Danishjo, a member from northern Balkh province. “Further delay in the Cabinet introduction means more insecurity because no one in ministries works as they should.”

Kabul lawmaker Nisar Ahmad Haris asked the government to resolve the issue of acting officials at the earliest.

The lawmakers also strongly condemned the assassination of the deputy governor of southern Kandahar province, Abdul Qayyum Patyal.

Unknown gunmen sprayed Patyal with bullets on Sunday evening when he was attending a class in the Kandahar University. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for killing Patyal.

Rafiullah Haideri from eastern Kunar province said the killing spree had once again returned. He alleged there were individuals in the government assisting the rebels in assassinating prominent personalities. “The government should expose these spies and bring them to justice,” he said.

His colleague from southern Kandahar province, Bismillah Afghanmal, said not only government officials, but tribal elders and other influential figures were also being killed on a daily basis. He demanded effective steps to curb the trend.

At the end of the session, Senate Chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said security and intelligence departments should prevent target killings. “We should no longer lose personalities and youth like Kandahar’s deputy governor.” (Pajhwok)