New Delhi, Sep 4 : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday issued a legislative decree giving Hindus and Sikhs one seat in the country's lower house of parliament.

With this, the Afghan parliament will now have 250 seats.

This follows Karzai's approval of cabinet amendments of Aug 26, a statement by the president's office said.

Under Afghan law, the president can issue decrees when parliament is on vacation.

The decree comes ahead of 2014 presidential election and parliamentary polls in 2015.(IANS)