KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah Thursday called on all Afghans to comply with the provisions of the nation’s constitution.
The two officials had been speaking at a ceremony in Kabul to mark the 13th anniversary of the ratification of the Afghan constitution.
“It is important that institutions in Afghanistan including the judicial and executive institutions and all other civilian institutions should not be subjected to politics and deals. Every Afghan citizen must be provided the right to have a share in the institutions on the basis of merit and transparent standards, but not through special doors. The nation is united, therefore institutions should be professional and nation-oriented” said Ghani.
Ghani also discussed the ongoing crisis currently facing Afghans and pledged to resolve issues in accordance with the laws of Afghanistan.
According to Ghani, his administration inherited major problems from the previous government, but vowed to resolve them with the help of the people.
“We had victories and seatbacks, what we inherited was a longstanding crisis, but also conflict generating situations, we are committed to tackle the crisis but by complying with the law,” said Ghani.
In addition, Abdullah spoke on the implementation of the political agreement signed between the two officials during the establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) He said according to the NUG’s political accord, some amendments need to be considered in the constitution.
Also addressing guests, parliament speaker Abdul Rauf Ibarahimi said that certain people had accrued wealth and power by violating the laws.
“Unfortunately the culture of impunity continued to prevail in our country, law violation is a crime” said Ibrahimi.
“I want to promise my nation that if myself and my colleagues had committed violations of the law, we apologize for it and pledge to manage ourselves within the law,” said speaker of the Meshrano Jirga Fazel Hadi Muslimyar.
NUG leaders said that the Afghan constitution was unique in the region, but called for an end to the culture of impunity.
Ghani also called on government and non-government institutions to ensure the laws are implemented.
Abdullah meanwhile highlighted the importance of the parliamentary system in Afghanistan but urged that proposals should not be interpreted as opposition to the constitution.
“Constitutional amendment is one of the key items of the commitments made by the national unity government which is supposed to be discussed at a constitutional Loya Jirga.  The constitutional Loya Jirga which stresses on the position of the chief executive or premiership and the issue is quite clear, a commission for the constitutional amendment was also agreed. But unfortunately work so far has not been done in this respect. But all these must happen in line with the constitution and not any other document or on the basis of any foreign dictation,” said Abdullah.
Afghanistan currently has a centralized political system. (Tolonews)