NUG Blasted For Not Introducing MoD, NDS Nominees

Fuente: 
ToloNews
Fecha de publicación: 
03 Mayo 2016

A number of political and military analysts on Tuesday lashed out at the National Unity Government (NUG) for not yet introducing its choice of Minister of Defense (MoD) and head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) to parliament.

This comes after President Ashraf Ghani said last week at a joint session of parliament that he would introduce nominees for the MoD and NDS soon.

"They say that they are going to devise security and devise a five-year plan; how can they do this without having a minister of defense and chief of NDS?.... If they want peace to come and the security situation to improve..., they should introduce a minister of defense and NDS chief to parliament soon," said Dawood Asas, a former senator.

"Minister of defense and NDS chief have the authorities that caretakers don't have .... legally there is a big difference in administrative duties," said Najman Massoudi, a trainer at the Military Academy.

The political analysts believe that the NUG is a government of slogans and it has failed to deliver on its promises.

"If the NUG had worked strategically, it should have appointed compliant and qualified people as minister of defense and NDS chief, because they are the most important security institutions," said Sayed Farhad Hashimi, a political analyst.

The Presidential Palace meanwhile reiterated its promise that the two nominees will be introduced soon.

"The president in his address to parliament pledged [to introduce the nominees] and now the NUG has started discussions to introduce new people to lead the NDS and MoD," said Shahussain Murtazawi, the deputy spokesman for Ghani.

People also blasted the government for not keeping its promises.

"It is very important [for the NUG] to introduce minister of defense and NDS chief, because it is important for stability of the country," said Najib Sharifi, a resident of Kabul city.

Currently the two high level security organizations are being led by caretakers.