Afghan defence, interior ministers face impeachment
MPs not satisfied with ministers’ explanations.
ISLAMABAD:
The Afghan National Assembly has decided to impeach its defence and interior ministers over cross-border shelling, allegedly by Pakistani forces, correspondents in Kabul said on Thursday.
Afghan authorities say the shelling has displaced hundreds of families. The ministers were summoned to the ‘Wolesi Jirga,’ or lower house of parliament, to brief the house about the security situation. The lawmakers, however, were not satisfied with the remarks of the top security officials and unanimously approved to impeach the defence and interior ministers on Sunday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Afghan interior minister and chief of army staff were invited to the 'Masharano Jirga,' or the Senate, for a briefing on security issues, particularly the shelling of civilian areas in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan.
Afghan Army chief Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi told parliament that Pakistan is conducting these attacks so that the Durand Line would be recognised officially, Afghan journalist Mehmoud Kochi, who covered the parliament session, told The Express Tribune.
General Karimi said that Pakistan has not only carried out missile attacks on Kunar but also shelled other provinces. Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul also informed parliament that diplomatic talks with Pakistan on halting rocket attacks from Pakistani territory have not produced any results, Kochi said.
Pakistan has rejected the Afghan claims, insisting that Pakistani militants who have now set up bases in Afghanistan, are launching attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2012.
The Afghan National Assembly has decided to impeach its defence and interior ministers over cross-border shelling, allegedly by Pakistani forces, correspondents in Kabul said on Thursday.
Afghan authorities say the shelling has displaced hundreds of families. The ministers were summoned to the ‘Wolesi Jirga,’ or lower house of parliament, to brief the house about the security situation. The lawmakers, however, were not satisfied with the remarks of the top security officials and unanimously approved to impeach the defence and interior ministers on Sunday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Afghan interior minister and chief of army staff were invited to the 'Masharano Jirga,' or the Senate, for a briefing on security issues, particularly the shelling of civilian areas in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan.
Afghan Army chief Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi told parliament that Pakistan is conducting these attacks so that the Durand Line would be recognised officially, Afghan journalist Mehmoud Kochi, who covered the parliament session, told The Express Tribune.
General Karimi said that Pakistan has not only carried out missile attacks on Kunar but also shelled other provinces. Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul also informed parliament that diplomatic talks with Pakistan on halting rocket attacks from Pakistani territory have not produced any results, Kochi said.
Pakistan has rejected the Afghan claims, insisting that Pakistani militants who have now set up bases in Afghanistan, are launching attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2012.