Govt committed to holding elections: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has said his govement is committed to holding parliamentary election and for this purpose, two separate committees – finance and security – have been established.

The president told this to the Afghanistan Protection and Stability party leadership at the Presidential Palace, a statement from the place’s media section said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah, National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, former veteran jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf, Wolesi Jirga speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi and Senate chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar were present on the occasion.

Other participants of the meeting included Mohammad Younas Qanuni, Mohammad Omar Daudzai, Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Abdul Rahim Wardak, Zalmai Rasool and others.

At the meeting, President Ghani urged the political leaders to increase their cooperation with the Afghan security and defence forces.

He said Afghanistan’s inteational partners and allies had realized the country’s rightfulness as a result of the unity govement’s efforts and deeds.

He said participants of the NATO’s summit in Warsaw, Poland, pledged their multifaceted cooperation in one voice with Afghanistan in funding, training and equipping the Afghan national forces.

He said the Warsaw summit sent a clear political message to the region that they supported Afghanistan’s rightful stance and would stand by the Afghans in the war against terrorism.

“Dignified and enduring peace is our fundamental goal and the demand of our people. We made a lot of efforts in this regard last year, but they (insurgents) chose the path of violence.”

The president said: “Our message to the Taliban is that we will talk from a strong position and they should choose between the war and peace, because no one can break up our security and defence forces through war and force.”

He said last year his attention had been focused on strengthening the security forces and from now on, he would consult national leaders and institutions regarding key issues.

CEO Abdullah confirmed the president’s remarks and said the people of Afghanistan, security and defence forces had proved the world that they had a strong resolve to defend their country and rebuild it.

He said there could be differences among various political groups based on democratic principles, but all the Afghans were united in their stance on national issues.

Speaking on behalf of the Protection and Stability party, Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf said strengthening the country’s system was among the party’s basic objectives because the people of Afghanistan desired a strong system.

“Our people can no longer afford a weak system and to endure hardships in the absence of a strong system.”

He said the stability party was ready to advise the govement on elections, defence, development, the constitution, convening a loya jirga and other important matters of national interests.

Another member of the party, Mohammad Younas Qanuni, said the party’s main objectives included preservation of national interests and reforms.

The president said the govement was committed to holding elections and for this purpose two separate committees had been formed.

He said the two committees had been provided $10 million from the govement’s budget and $21 million had been set aside for services.

The assurance from the president comes a day after a joint panel of the parliament held unsuccessful talks about the fate of a presidential decree on electoral reforms.

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