Afghan president names 16 more as ministers

Sixteen more minister-nominees were introduced to Wolesi Jirga or lower house of Afghan parliament for approval on Wednesday.

Speaking after introducing the nominees, Second Vice President Sarwar Danesh urged the lawmakers to show trust in the minister-nominees so as to enable the government to complete its cabinet, Xinhua news agency reported.

It would take around a week for the lower house to scrutinise the educational background and nationalities of the minister-nominees to give vote of confidence.

The lawmakers have said they would reject any holder of dual nationality during the process of trust vote for a minister-designate.

Some of the nominees are said to have dual nationalities either from the US or European countries.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani after assuming office in last September announced that he would form a cabinet within 45 days but it was only in January that he introduced over two dozen minister-nominees to parliament. Only eight were approved and the remaining ministries are run by acting ministers.