A number of lawmakers in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga—the lower house of Parliament–on Wednesday blamed the Afghan government for what they described as systematic corruption and the embezzlement of the national assets of the country.
They said that a few government officials are behind all the corruption and embezzlement cases.
The lawmakers also lashed out at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for not disclosing the name of those accused of embezzling $8 million from the customs on a daily basis.
MPs also criticized the government for ignoring the decisions of the Parliament on the issue of caretakers.
They said that the government is violating the Constitution in terms of appointments.
But the Presidential Palace has rejected the allegations.
“The caretaker issue should be resolved; currently the private sector is on the run,” said MP Ghulam Farooq Nazari.
“The government has consecutively violated the Constitution, the ministers who were sacked by us continue their work,” said MP Waqif Hakimi.
“I recommend that we close the door of the house for one week in protest,” said MP Abdul Baseer Osmani.
“Who is this thief who steals 3 billion dollars annually, or perhaps it is about six or nine billion?” said MP Khaled Assad.
“The acting minister of finance is not disclosing the names of who are collaborating with the corrupt people,” said MP Nasim Mudabir.
“Combating corruption within the framework of the prevailing laws and anti-corruption strategy is one of the important priorities of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said Latif Mahmoud, deputy presidential spokesman.
The Afghan acting minister of finance last week did not deny claims by lawmakers in Parliament who alleged that $8 million worth of revenue is being embezzled from customs on a daily basis, but he did say there are reports of corruption involving governors, police commanders, and employees of the Ministry of Finance as well as ordinary citizens.
