The Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish on Saturday introduced the new acting minister for higher education but MPs at the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) reiterated their call from government to end the caretaking trend in state institutions.

Danish said academic institutions should be kept away from politics and interference. 

“Academic environment is a sacred and valuable place like the judicial environment; it must be totally independent, impartial and away from any political intervention by government or other social and political groups,” he stated.

MPs meanwhile discussed the caretaking trend in government organizations on Saturday session.

“A number of cabinet members who are acting ministers have executive authorities which is in violation of the law. The employment period of three members of the Supreme Court were finished and now they are working as caretakers. Also, the director of the Red Crescent Society has been leading the organization as acting director for more than a year. All these are in violation of the law,” Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said.

“I don’t know why we should help in violating the law that we have approved. Why is it not included in the agenda? My request is that we should finalize the issue of voting for ministers before leaving for summer recess,” said Fawzia Kofi, an MP from Badakhshan.

A few months ago, government introduced four nominees to parliament, but MPs refused to give them a vote of confidence.

Lawmakers will leave for summer recess within the next two weeks. 

More than 10 ministries are being led by acting ministers at the moment.