Legislators support presidential speech at UNGA

Wolesi Jirga members, supporting President Ashraf Ghani’s speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), have demanded a scrutiny of allegations levelled by some leaders.

Welcoming the new American strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia, President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday called upon neighbours to join his quest for peace and regional stability.

“The Afghan government has proven that we are committed to peace through our own internal processes, as demonstrated by the agreement with Hezb-i-Islami,” Ghani said in his address to the General Assembly.

He urged all of Afghanistan's neighbors -- near and far -- to support the Kabul process. He also asked for a change of perspective from international partners, saying the conflict in Afghanistan was not a civil war. "This war is not within our soil; it is over our soil."

Mohammad Akbar Stanikzai, a lawmaker from central Logar province, said: “We support President Ghani’s speech. He talked about realities that exist in the region and conveyed the views of Afghanistan to the world.”

Abdul Sattar Darzabi, a legislator from Jawzjan province, also praised Ghani’s speech at the global forum and said: “We hope whatever the president said will be implemented...”

Other members of the lower house held similar views. But Abdul Wadoud Paiman said: “So much praises for the president is not the right thing. It is his responsibility to echo his people's sentiments at global forums.”

Mohammad Nazir Ahmadzai, ۲nd deputy speaker of the lower house, said: “On the behalf of Wolesi Jirga, I support the presidential remarks at the annual session of UNGA".

The house also debated allegations from some lawmakers that their colleagues had cut under-the-table deals with ministers-designate.

Mirbat Khan Mangal, a public representative from Paktia province, had earlier claimed some lawmakers had made secret deals with ministers-designate on trust votes.

He said that the cabinet nominees had been assures of confidence votes by certain members, who had asked for the appointment of their blue-eyed people to high posts.

Voting for or against right ministers-designate is part of the lower house agenda. They are Tariq Shah Bahrami, Faizullah Zaki, Nargis Nehan, Mohammad Shafiq Gul Agha, Hameed Tahmasi, Abdul Latif Roshan, Shazad Gul Aryubi, Wais Barmak and Yama Yari.

MP Mirbat Khan Mangal said he had evidence to prove his claims and submitted the so-called proof to a house panel.

Another lawmaker, Kamal Nasir Osuli, submitted complaints to the commission and the speaker accepted them.