Wolesi Jirga approved the Security Pacts with US and NATO

On Sunday session Wolsei Jirga (The Lower House of Parliament) rectified the Kabul-Washington Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) and Kabul-NATO Status of Force (SOFA) Agreements with a majority of green votes.

The session was attended by 157 legislators after a group of lawmakers asked the House to discuss the agreements in a special session, out of which only 5 members disapproved the agreement.

A number of lawmakers saying, approval of the agreements inked are our vital requirements for the peace process, strengthening the Afghan security forces and developing the country.

Head of Wolesi Jirga Commission on International Affairs, Abdul Qadir Zazay said,” The United State pledges to avoid using Afghan territory against the neighboring countries.”

While a number of MPs reject the agreements; but most of them emphasis on Afghanistan need for these agreements.

“How do you vote in favor of these agreements while it is against the interest of our people?” Amanullah Payman a member of Wolesi Jirga said.

Another MP Shokria Barakzai said,” this agreement was not a choice for the Afghan government, but in fact it is a requirement to support our security forces for the future.”

Afghanistan and the United States/NATO signed the BSAs on the initial days of the National Unity Government and the legislators discussed the agreements during the last couple of weeks.

According to the agreements signed the US and Coalition Forces combat support mission will end by the end of 2014 and they will continue to train and equip Afghan Security Forces by 2024.