Family visa call for some expats.

MP Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi confirmed that the recent meeting of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the lawmakers yielded positive results, particularly in terms of strengthening cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities. He disclosed that they discussed a number of issues; such as the amnesty, writing off citizens’ loans, cancellation of interest on the loans of retirees, increasing the minimum pension of retirees, and opening the family visa application for expatriate medical professionals and teachers.

He added the lawmakers submitted their recommendations during the meeting and they are now waiting for the government’s response. Meanwhile, rumor has it that His Highness the Prime Minister told the MPs this could be his last meeting with them. Some parties regarded such move as a hint that the National Assembly will be dissolved soon. On the other hand, MP Faisal Al-Kandari thinks the meeting is not positive, considering His Highness the Prime Minister said the MPs’ queries are disturbing the ministers who are extremely busy. He argued the lawmakers have the absolute right to question the ministers who are obligated to respond regardless of the number of queries, stressing that responding to such queries is part of the ministers’ duties.

He believes the intention to dissolve the Assembly is due to the previous discussions on important and urgent bills like the proposal to write off the loans of citizens. He also raised doubt on the estimate of the total value of citizens’ loans – KD 14 billion, because the total amount does not exceed KD 2 billion as per his calculation. He affirmed he is open to the idea of dissolving the Assembly, as it entails making the people decide. MP Soud Al-Asfour said the meeting was fruitless, because the government failed to present a vision regarding the people’s demands. He asserted the government should be fully prepared for such meetings.

Source- Arab Times.

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