President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has appointed acting ministers for the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, women’s affairs and trade and commerce.
According to Bakhtar state news agency, citing a presidential decree, Mohammad Mustafa Mastoor has been appointed as acting finance minister, Syeda Muzghan as acting women’s affairs minister, Muzamil Shenwari as acting trade and commerce minister, and Atiqullah Atif as acting foreign minister.
The appointment of new acting ministers comes as the cabinet of the national unity government has not been formed despite two and half months have passed from the formation of the new government.
It was expected that the new cabinet would be announced around two weeks ago, but president Ghani and chief executive officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said further assessment of individual ministers was needed before the new cabinet is announced.
The new government has been subject to growing criticisms for delaying the announcement of the new cabinet.
The Lower House of Parliament – Wolesi Jirga also criticized the government and questioned the legitimacy of the National Unity Government for being failed to introduce the new cabinet ministers.
The lawmakers insisted that the Afghan constitution does not allow the acting ministers to serve more than two months.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/3137