President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah's cabinet picks have begun presenting their agenda to the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) for a confidence vote sometime next week.
The Wednesday's session began with huge criticism by the MPs after they claimed the documents of the nominees were incomplete and held dual citizenship.
Following the disturbance in the House, the security guards escorted MP Ramazan Bashardost out of the session for showing strong opposition to the nominees.
Moments later, the presentation began with four ministerial nominees: Sher Mohammad Karimi, Faiz Mohammad Osmani, Nasir Ahmad Durrani, and Mohammad Gul Zalmai Younusi.
Nominated as the Minister of Defense, Karimi opened his remarks with a promise to fight discrimination, something that continues to plague the nation.
"I've always worked on nondiscriminatory basis," he said, adding that "reforms will be brought in officer duties and jurisdiction."
He touched on the topic of Pakistan and presented that "tactical means" will be used to further talks in countering terrorism.
Younusi, Abdullah's pick for Ministry of Education focused on the reconstruction of schools both internally and externally.
"I will focus on the recruitment of female teachers," Younusi began. "Facilities for disabled children will be provided in all schools."
Nominated by Ghani as the Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Osmani spoke of creating accountability in the religious departments.
"More than 90 percent of the mosques are informal," Osmani said. "Formalization of these mosques is our priority. Construction of a grand mosque in every province is also necessary and accountability system is also needed in regards to the Hajj performance."
Last to present his details, Durrani, who has been nominated by Abdullah as the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, focused on the disconnection of villages to the government.
"I will work on capacity building and modification," Durrani began. "I will reduce the risks of natural disasters, reduce the gap between villages and cities, additional cost reduction, standardize projects, provide job opportunities, increase income, market local production, and create programs to counter corruption. I will develop the industry and rural economy for villages."
MPs will be listening to the platforms of all nominees for the next few days before voting in favor or against the new cabinet.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/3258