KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Friday vowed to transform southern Kandahar province into a transit trade centre.
Addressing an election rally here, Ahmadzai promised to construct water dams to promote agriculture in the province if he won the April 5 vote. He would also build a railroad in Spin Boldak road.
After coming into power, the ex-finance minister said he would implement the multi-billion dollars Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, known as TAPI.
“Just like the National Solidarity Programme that I have extended to rural areas, an initiative for urban development will be launched if I succeed,” he announced.
Ahmadzai added he would also establish an international-standard university in Kandahar besides paving the way for the return of refugees in a dignified way.
In southeastern Khost City, thousands of people at a similar event promised voting for another runner, Qutbuddin Hilal, in next week’s election.   
Supported by the Hekmatyar-led Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan, Hilal was to fly to Khost to address the public meeting, but he failed to do so due to bad weather.
Speaking to the participants over the telephone, Hilal promised jobs for youth from Paktia and Khost provinces. He underlined the need for credible and fair elections for the sake of stability in the country.
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