KABUL – A number of members of the Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House ofParliament) and Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House of Parliament) on Saturdaysharply criticized intelligence departments and government officials fortheir inability to prevent attacks, especially in the capital, and calledfor them to resign.

MPs and senators said the deteriorating security situation was a shame forsecurity officials and stated they must step down.

This comes after at least 63 people were killed in Saturday’s deadlyambulance bombing in Kabul city. In addition, at least another 151 peoplewere wounded.

This attack was just the latest in a string of deadly incidents in thecountry this week, including the siege of the Intercontinental Hotel lastSaturday, which also left dozens of people dead, including foreignnationals.

“Unfortunately, today’s attack was a continuation of the previous attacks.A proxy war is definitely ongoing in Afghanistan,” MP Sayed Ali Kazimi said.

“We are surprised that there is so much weakness. For how long do ourpeople need to suffer and die. Why do these officials not step down fromtheir jobs,” senator Safiullah Hashemi said.

A number of former military officers meanwhile said the lack of capacity ininvestigative, intelligence and security departments are the reasons forthe deteriorating security in the country, especially in Kabul city.

“Our intelligence and investigative departments are weak, and they shouldbe strengthened. If these departments are not strengthened, prevention ofsuch attacks will be impossible,” former military officer Mohammad AgulMujahid said.

“Currently Afghan government (officials) are busy with internal issues andthey prefer to work for their own interests instead of the interests of theAfghan people,” Mohsin Ahmadi, a member of Kabul provincial council said.

In the last 10 days five deadly attacks have been carried out across thecountry, including two major ones in Kabul city. The casualty toll has alsoinvolved mainly civilians.