KANDAHAR/KHOST (Pajhwok): A gathering was held in support of presidential candidate Mohammad Shafique Gul Agha Sherzai in southern Kandahar province, where a campaign office for another runner Dr. Abdullah Abdullah was inaugurated on Wednesday.
The gathering in Sherzai’s support was held at the Ahmad Shahi playground in Kandahar City, the provincial capital. Besides Sherzai and his two running mates, thousands of people, including women and tribal elders, were in attendance.
Sherzai, a former Nangarhar and Kandahar governor, said he would make peace with the rebels, ensure good governance and bring about judicial reforms if elected to power in the April elections.
He said there were governor’s houses, which had been unable to serve the masses, citing Daikundi as an example in this regard, saying even a kilometre road could not be constructed in the central province over the past 12 years.
If voted to power, Sherzai promised he would pay special attention to reconstruction projects and would hold ministers accountable failing to perform their tasks.
Elders representing various tribes addressed the gathering and declared their support to Sherzai.
It was for the first time a presidential candidate attended a campaign rally in Kandahar since the electioneering began on Feb. 2.
Meanwhile, a campaign office for Dr. Abdullah was inaugurated in Kandahar City. campaigner for Abdullah in the southern zone, Abdul Khaliq Kandahari, and other attended the inaugural ceremony.
Kandahari told Pajhwok they were thankful to the security forces for maintaining their  security, but the forces were required to stay neutral during the election process.
In southeastern Khost province, a campaign office Abdullah was inaugurated in the provincial capital on Wednesday.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by around 250 people, including tribal elders, civil society activists, students and supporters.