Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Kabul (BNA) Wolesi Jerga or Lower House of parliament in a session held yesterday unanimously confirmed Mohammad Younus Qanooni as first vice-president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Presidential press office stated BNA, Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan introduced Mohammad Younus Qanooni as nomination for the first vice-president to the Lower House of parliament on Tuesday.
In his speech President Hamid Karzai said: “After the departure of Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, we discussed the issue on appointment of the first vice-president with officials of the three government forces, jihadi and political figures.”
He added a number of honorable figures of the country were suggested for the post and Mohammad Younus Qanooni was finally picked and supported amongst the suggested figures.
“As I consider Mohammad Younus Qanooni as a patriotic and well-experienced figure for the post of first vice presidency, I’m suggesting him as first vice president based on the verdict of article 68th of the country’s constitution,” President Karzai said.
The country’s president added, “I know Mr. Qanooni since Jihad and has always shown high experiences in management both in jihad and government responsibilities.
Pointing out related to upcoming circumstances in the country, President Hamid Karzai said, “Our country is at the threshold of a very big ordeal and holding transparent and free elections under a secure atmosphere is our top priorities.”
The country’s president asserted it would be the first time in Afghanistan’s history that political power would be handed over from one elected president to another elected president according to the country’s constitution.
Later on, Mohammad Younus Qanooni while praising the president and Lower House for trusting him said he as an Afghan would stand alongside President Hamid Karzai and Second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili and spare no efforts for the service of Afghanistan and the people.
“For national unity in Afghanistan, I will fulfill all tasks beside the president based on the constitution,” Qanooni said.
He said handing over the political power and holding transparent and free elections in the country is a big ordeal for government and people of Afghanistan and he hoped they could help relevant electoral commissions for holding transparent and free elections in the country.
