KABUL - Some lawmakers on Saturday vehemently criticized government for spiraling insecurity, rampant corruption and not appointing new officials.
Qazi Abdul Rahim, a lawmaker from northwestern Badghis province, told the house: “It is shame for leaders of the government that they have not delivered what they had promised to people.”
He said eight months after formation of unity government, no tangible steps have been taken to eradicate administrative graft, bring about good governance, and ensure security. “Everyone is mired in corruption.”
He urged government to pay more focus on ensuring law and order and support people’s uprising against insurgents. “The leaders should pay more attention to vital issues. People today have risen against insurgents, lest they stand one day against the government.”
Naqibullah Faiq, another MP from northern Jawzjan province, said: “People expected some of the sensitive issues would be addressed… criteria of merit but tribal affiliation still rule all sectors.”
“The recent appointments in Ministry of Defence (MoD) and National Directorate of Security (NDS) have been occurred due to 50-50 distribution between the two leaders. Some Uzbek and Turkmen have been ousted,” he alleged.
Last week Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai was introduced as acting defence minister, while Lt. Gen. Qadam Shah Shahim and Lt. Gen. Abdul Khaliq were introduced as army chief and deputy defence minister respectively.
Ajmal Obaid Abidy, former presidential spokesperson, and Adib Fahim, son of the late Marshal Fahim, have reportedly been appointed as deputy in the NDS.
“This government cannot be compared to any other government. Karzai’s government was better than this set up. Some say Daesh is also better than this government because Daesh has trans-regional thinking,” Faiq said.
Mohammad Arif Rahmani, a representative from Ghazni, expressed concerns about rampant corruption in the country, saying the main culprits were not being punished.
He added if directors of a ministry were being referred to judicial bodies on corruption charges; the minister also should not be exempted. According to Rahmani it was ultimately the ministers that were responsible for the affairs of a department.
Yesterday, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani introduced six top officials of the urban development ministry, who were accused of corruption and bribe taking, to the Attorney General Office (AGO).
Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi reiterated the house had been complaining about deteriorating security situation for months, but to no avail. “Introduction of defence minister and governors could put an end to the situation.” (Pajhwok)