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Concerns raised over ministers not having yet been sworn in
A number of Afghan lawyers have raised concern about the cabinet members assuming their duties without having taken an oath of office.
An estimated 17 ministers who recently received votes of confidence from Wolesi Jirga members are thought to be working without having been sworn into office.
Concerned lawyers said this was in contravention of Article 74 of the Afghan Constitution.
“The Article 74 about assuming office by the ministers has a clear direction. Unfortunately, this article of the Constitution has been violated,” said Arash Shahir, a lawyer.
“Before assuming office, the Ministers shall take the following oath in the presence of the President: In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty that I shall protect the Holy religion of Islam, respect the Constitution and other laws of Afghanistan, safeguard the rights of citizens as well as independence, territorial integrity and the national unity of the people of Afghanistan, and, in all my deeds consider the Almighty’s presence, performing the entrusted duties honestly,” Article 74 reads.
Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of the Constitution (ICOIC), however, states that ministers could continue their duties without taking the oath of office.
“Ignoring Article 74 of the Constitution, would not question the legitimacy for the continuation of ministers work but it is a commitment that must be implemented,” said Mohammad Arif, a secretary of the ICOIC.
Meanwhile, a number of MPS also criticized the government for contravening articles of the Constitution.
“I hope the Afghan government finds time to hold a taking of the oath ceremony for the ministers who received the votes of confidence from Wolesi Jirga,” said MP Sayed Hassan Paktiawal.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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