KABUL (Pajhwok): Former jihadi Leader Eng. Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai and other elders of his tribe on Friday announced support to presidential contender Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in the runoff ballot due on June 14.
The assurance of support came at a gathering held at the residence of Ahmadzai in Kabul.  Hundreds of Ahmadzai tribe elders participated in the meeting.
Eng. Ahmadzai, a former minister and head of the Iqtidar-i-Islami Afghanistan party, addressed the meeting. He said Ahmadzai had the capability to put the country on the right track and ensure peace, security and development of Afghanistan.
Dr. Abdul Wali Ahmadzai, on behalf of elders from the tribe, said they had decided to back the ex-finance minister after weeks of consultations.
For his part, the former World Bank economist thanked the tribe for its support and said he would do all he could to measures up to the expectations and hopes the nation had pinned on him.
Separately, Ahmadzai’s campaign team in southeastern Paktia province urged militants to shun violence and support the candidate in the crucial runoff vote.
rm/mud