Stanikzai named for Afghanistan defence minister's post

Afghanistan's acting defence minister, nominated earlier for the post, was on Wednesday introduced to the lower house of parliament for its approval through a vote of confidence.

Afghan Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish introduced Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai for the defence minister's post and three other nominees for top government posts to the Wolesi Jirga or the lower house of parliament, Khaama press reported.

Besides Stanikzai, the other three nominees are Khalilullah Sediq as head of the Central Bank, and Anisa Rasouli and Sayed Yousuf Halim as members of the apex court.

Earlier on June 22, the introduction of Stanikzai to the lower house was disrupted following a Taliban-coordinated attack which left five people dead and over 30 injured.

The coordinated attack begin with a suicide blast at the front gate of the parliament which was followed by gunfire but the attackers were gunned down by the army in less than an hour.

The Wolesi Jirga is expected to vote next week to decide whether to accept Stanikzai as minister of defence or reject him.