Government accused of pulling strings in parliament

A number of members of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament, have accused the government of interfering in the appointment of chairmen of the various parliamentary commissions. Member of parliament Paiman said the government is using this route to win influence over the legislature. Another deputy, Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoi, said that in order to have a hold over the national assembly, the government has spent a huge sum of money getting the heads of parliamentary commissions appointed. On February 20, the Wolesi Jirga elected chairmen and deputy chairmen for five more commissions.