People’s Council Establishes Committees amid Criticism

February 21, 2006
Kabul – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Radio Free Afghanistan reported that the Afghan National Assembly’s People’s Council, or Wolesi Jirga, finished setting up 18 committees Tuesday, while some criticized the process and accused the newly elected government body of playing politics.

According to the report:

“Kabul Province representative Shokria Barakzai said that the selection process for the 18 committees was based on political maneuverings rather than on members' expertise. Hajji Mohammad Mohaqeq, head of the committee on religious, educational and cultural affairs, who also represents Kabul, said that the Afghan parliament suffers from a lack of specialists. He expressed the hope that the Afghanistan's international backers will help in raising the capabilities of the parliamentarians.”