KABUL (Pajhwok): The Wolesi Jirga on Saturday rejected a fourth legislative presidential decree issued during the lower house of parliament’s summer recess.
Sher Wali Wardak, the deputy head of the house economic committee, presented the presidential decree regarding the establishment of a presidential economic advisor’s office as an independent budgetary unit.
He said based on the decree a new department would be created with 60 staff members, adding that the decree was against the laws and there was no need for such a department.
Other lawmakers also voiced opposition to the decree, asking for its rejection.
Lawmaker Nazifa Zaki said thousands of high educated youth remained unemployed, while people with high school certificates earned huge salaries.
She said the president wanted to establish such department to please some individuals.
Qazi Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, another lawmaker, said the house should not allow the government to create parallel and unnecessary departments.
Of 125 lawmakers present at today’s session, 10 MPs voted in favour and the rest against it.
The Wolesi Jirga had previously rejected two presidential decrees amending income tax and customs laws. The decree imposing 10 percent tax on phone users had also been rejected by the parliament.
The Article 79 of the Constitution states: “During the recess of the House of Representatives, the government shall, in case of an immediate need, issue legislative decrees, except in matters related to budget and financial affairs.”
Legislative decrees, after endorsement by the president, shall acquire the force of law.
Legislative decrees shall be presented to the National Assembly within 30 days of convening its first session, and if rejected by the National Assembly, they become void.”
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