Abdul Wardak and Bismillah Khan Mohammadi: Unpacking Afghanistan's Ministerial Shake-up

In an unprecedented single session of Parliament on August 4th, the Lower House dismissed the Afghan defense and interior ministers, Abdul Rahim Wardak and Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, following successive no-confidence votes. After weeks of alleged rocket attacks by Pakistani security forces in the border provinces, Parliament summoned the two ministers to appear before the assembly and submit to questioning over rising insecurity in the country. The heated session that resulted in their impeachment spanned the members’ concerns over rocket attacks from across the Durand Line, allegations of corruption and nepotism within the Defense and Interior Ministries, and targeted assassinations of high-profile figures across the country.