BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Civil society activists in central Bamyan province on Monday urged President Hamid Karzai not to sign a bill about “an illegal set of privileges” for members of parliament.
Two days ago, the Wolesi Jirga (lower house of the parliament) approved the bill allowing lawmakers to retain two guards and draw 25 percent of salaries even after completing their tenure.
Under the bill, each parliamentarian will have a diplomatic passport and an official passport for each member of his/ her family. These perks and privileges have been widely criticised in the country.
Each parliamentarian gets salary of 195, 000 afs a month and if the bill is approved by the president, an MP will be entitled to get at least 49, 000afs a month. 
A spokesman for the Bamyan Ulema Council said that under the legislative measure, if approved, retired legislators would get funds from the Bait-ul-Mal without rendering any services.
Muhammad Sajjad Mohseni opined: “This is haram (illegal) and I strongly condemn the move by the Wolesi Jirga.”
Ismail Zaki, a human rights activist, believed the move was in conflict with the constitution. The bill was rushed through the house when the country was in the grip of the election crisis, he noted. 
sks/mud