KABUL - Some members of the ’Wolesi Jirga -- or lower house of parliament -- were on Saturday accused of violating the assembly’s decision that lawmakers would not visit the Ministry of Interior (MoI) for a month.

Summoning Interior Minister MujtabaPatang, lower house members on Wednesday declared they would not visit the ministry in protest against his recent remarks.

On Sunday, Patang told the National Security Council (NSC) he had been summoned 32 times by the Wolesi Jirga and 14 times by the Meshrano Jirga during over the last four months. He said MPs had inundated him with 15,200 applications.

The Wolesi Jirga denounced Patang’s remarks as an insult to the parliament, accusing Patang of slighting legislators. The members asked the minister to reveal the names of the MPs who had made illegal demands on him.

During Saturday’s session, a parliamentarian from Paktika province claimed some MPs had violated their own decision by visiting the ministry along with a variety of applications on Wednesday.

Nadir Khan Katawazai said: “I have received information that lawmakers have submitted 250 fresh applications to the ministry.” He asked the administrative Board to prevent violations of house decisions.

A legislator from Kunar, Mohammad Saleh, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had also visited the ministry on Wednesday. However, he denied contravening the house resolution or submitting any request.

Saleh claimed seeing a large number of his colleagues with new applications at the ministry.

Mohammad SalehSaljooqi, the 2nd deputy speaker who chaired the session, urged members to respect their decision and eschew visiting the ministry for 30 days. (Pajhwok)