Roundup: Afghan gov't to complete 5 years term: Abdullah

Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has dismissed the critics' demand for seeking alternative to serving National Unity Government (NUG) and categorically stated that the administration will continue for five years.

"The political agreement does not have a specific stating that by the end of the second year, the NUG will come to an end. The Chief Executive's Office will continue for five years along with its authority of the executive prime minister," a statement released by the office of chief executive said here on Monday.

Abdullah made the remarks amid criticism from some political circles and opponents that the legitimacy of the National Unity Government is under question in its second anniversary falling on Sept. 29 when President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani sworn in on Sept. 29, 2014 under a political agreement that shared power with his election era challenger Abdullah.

The political agreement brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to end the months-long chaotic situation caused by bitterly disputed 2014 presidential elections underlines for implementing five points above all convening traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly to amend constitution and consider post of prime minister and bringing electoral reforms to ensure transparency in the coming elections.

"Legitimacy of National Unity Government is under question after Thursday Sept. 29," renown politician and director of Massoud Foundation, Ahmad Wali Massoud said Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, Wali Massoud accused the NUG of failing to implement the political agreement inked by the top leaders of the unity administration, saying the security situation in the country is deteriorating and the "corruption mostly inside the government has reached its boiling point," local media quoted Massoud as saying.

Joining the criticism from former president Hamid Karzai, according to media reports has also lashed at National Unity Government over what he described as the administration's failure to convene Loya Jirga and called upon both president Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah to "honor their pledge" of holding the traditional jirga or grand assembly and renew legitimacy for the future of their tenure.

Chairman of a newly launched political party "Afghanistan's New National Front" and former finance minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi, has also criticized the National Unity Government over what he described its failure to "curb militancy, ending corruption and ensuring social justice" and called for fresh presidential polls.

Playing down the demands both president Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah stated that the national unity government would complete its tenure, which is five years.

Spokesman for the Presidential Palace, Mohammad Haroon Chakhansori, according to media reports has said that the government besides accepting its shortcoming has made achievements over the past two years and is committed to work for the improvement of the living standards of the people.

"The National Unity Government came into power with public mandate for a five-year term and seeking its replacement is a dream that won't come true," Chief Executive Abdullah said Sunday, according to local media reports. Endit