Afghanistan - MPs Push For Nullification of NDS-ISI Agreement

A number of MPs have raised issue over a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Afghan and Pakistani intelligence services. The critics have objected to both particular facets of the agreement as well as to the overall process through which the pact emerged.

Referring to comments made by the head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), a group of lawmakers on Monday expressed outrage at the possibility that the intelligence sharing agreement was never put up for discussion by the National Security Council.

In addition to frustrations about the lack of inclusive debate over the merits of the agreement prior to it being forged, MPs expressed concerns about the level of discord among leaders when it comes to the MoU. Reportedly President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and NDS Chief Rahmatullah Nabil have disagreed over a number of points in the accord.

Parliament's Internal Relations Commission, Internal Security Commission and Defense Commission were directed to review the MoU this week in the presence of the national security advisor and NDS chief.

"In short, I would say that there are serious concerns on four articles of the MoU, such as the training of military cadres, joint combat between the two spy agencies against the enemy, combating separatists alongside common borders and the issue of the Durand Line," Internal Security Commission Chair Mirdad Khan Nejrabi told TOLOnews.

MP Ali Akbar Qasimi, the deputy head of Parliament's Defense Commission, suggested that there should be legal repercussions for those who sought to arrange the MoU in secrecy. "Consultations weren't conducted on the recently signed MoU, and those pushing for the agreement to be signed were trying to keep it secret," he said on Monday. "Fortunately, the MoU was disclosed, but those who did the deal should be put on trial for treason."

Despite the NDS being a central party to the MoU, some MPs claimed the NDS chief had been shut out of the decision making around it. "The things that were recommended by the NDS chief weren't included in the MoU," Internal Security Commission deputy Abdul Hai Akhondzada said. "It was prepared in line with the demands of the National Security Council and even the Chief Executive is now is disagreement."

MP Abdul Qayoum Sajjadi called for the MoU to be redacted right away. However, Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi refused the recommendation and urged for a transparent review of the agreement with the National Security Advisor. "We must value the status of the House," Ibrahimi said. "Let the National Security Advisor come to the House and offer his answers so that we can decide in light of the answers."

But not all lawmakers were appeased, with some, such as International Relations Commission members Dawood Kalakani, who accused the House Speaker of trying to avoid a vote on the MoU. "I think the Speaker of the House made a deal with the government, because the MoU was supposed to be put up for voting today and the majority of the lawmakers were against it," he said.

The National Security Advisor, NDS chief and deputy NDS chief - who all signed the agreement with Pakistan - are expected to appear in front of Parliament soon, though no official date has been set.