Afghan Commerce Minister Impeached By Parliament

KABUL -- Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Mohammad Amin Farhang, who has been accused of collusion with gas distributors, has been impeached by the lower house of parliament, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.

Before the impeachment -- which requires President Hamid Karzai to replace him in the cabinet -- Farhang was questioned by legislators about extremely high gas prices this winter, even though international oil prices have gone down, and about the low quality of gas in Afghanistan.

A no-confidence vote was then taken, which 127 of 128 legislators supporting the motion.

Farhang, who is from Kabul, has served in Karzai's cabinet for about two years. Karzai has asked the lower house to reverse its decision.