Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks to lawmakers at the parliament in Kabul, Afghanistan. (file photo)
Afghanistan's Lower House of parliament has disqualified ministers for defense and interior for failing to deal with deteriorating security across the country.
On Saturday, 146 lawmakers voted against Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, while 126 voted against Interior Minister Bismullah Mohammadi.
Lawmakers faulted the ministers for the government's failure to respond to cross-border attacks from Pakistan that they blamed on that country's military.
"Both ministers are disqualified from their positions and we request His Excellency President Karzai to introduce new ministers for these positions as soon as possible," the speaker of the house Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi announced.
The ministers were also questioned by the legislators about allegations of corruption within their ministries and alleged security lapses that led to recent assassinations of top officials.
A total of 228 out of 249 members were present during the parliament session.
Afghanistan accuses Pakistan army of launching rocket attacks on its eastern provinces over the past couple of months, charges denied by Pakistan.
Insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan despite the presence of thousands of US-led forces in the war-torn country.
The votes of no confidence are a major blow to the government of President Hamid Karzai as he tries to project an image of stability while the 2014 closing date for international forces to leave Afghanistan or move into support roles nears.
PG/JR/IS
