KABUL - Wolesi Jirga (WJ) -- or lower house of parliament -- on Thursday decided to establish a commission to monitor government activities, an official said on Thursday.
Last week, the president listed good governance, an effective anti-corruption campaign, the rule of law and a strong economy as top priorities of the incumbent administration.
Recalling his address to a joint sitting of parliament in June, Karzai's office referred to the wide-ranging reforms he had proposed in the three branches of the government.

Advisor to the president on judicial affairs, Nasrullah Stanikzai, says the Wolesi Jirga is authorized to keep an eye on the decree enforcement while the Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for reporting on implementation of the reform agenda.

Article 89 of the constitution says: "The House of People shall have the authority to establish a special commission, on the proposal of one third of its members, to review as well as investigate the actions of the government.
The commission's composition and method of operation shall be determined by parliamentary regulations on internal duties.

A member would be selected from each of the house permanent commissions and parliamentary groups for the monitoring panel, Wolesi Jirga Deputy Secretary Farhad Azimi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

"Due to the involvement of certain forces in house affairs, the commission -- a very important watchdog -- could not be set up," Azimi said, when asked why they could not establish the body in time.

Some members did not pay adequate attention to their duty of keeping a check on government's actions, he alleged. On the other hand, he said, some government officials were trying to prevent parliament from monitoring their performance. (Pajhwok)