Campaign

CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): A political gathering in central Parwan province on Sunday pledged support to presidential candidate Qutbuddin Hilal in the April 5 elections.
Nearly 2,000 people attended the rally in Bagram district, chanting slogans “Long live Islam; long live (Gulbadin) Hekmatyar; and death to enemies of Islam.”

KABUL/SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Thousands of residents of Kabul and Jawzjan province on Sunday announced their support for presidential hopeful Zalmai Rassoul.
At a gathering in the Loya Jirga Tent in Kabul, hundreds of people from the Barakzai tribe council pledged support to Rassoul’s bid for presidency.

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Saturday said he would narrow the gap between the government and the people if he won the April elections.
The former finance minister was addressing a campaign rally attended by the thousands in the Mohammad Agha district of central Logar province.
Ghani claimed moving a step closer to victory in the elections after his camp was joined by jihadi leaders and elders in Logar.

GAZRDEZ (Pajhwok): A huge rally was organised on Saturday in support of presidential candidate Zalmai Rassoul in the capital of southeastern Paktia province, amid claims that most participants were tricked or forced into joining the political gathering.
Some government officials were also seen at the rally in Gardez, where participants coming from different parts said they had been approached by district chiefs to reach the venue.

KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday addressed a campaign rally in northern Baghlan province, explaining his future plans for the country.
Abdullah, who arrived in Pul-i-Khumri along with his running mates, addressed thousands of people in the provincial capital. He promised giving special attention to Baghlan in his future development programmes.
The former foreign minister said he would attract investments to the mining sector and improve Baghlan residents’ access to electricity if he won the April 5 elections.

CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Prof. Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf on Friday promised an effective role for mujahideen (freedom fighters) in the government if he won the April 5 elections.

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Presidential hopeful Gul Agha Sherzai on Tuesday accused the government of supporting another presidential runner Zalmai Rassoul in the April 5 elections.
Addressing a gathering attended by the thousands in the western city of Herat, the former governor asked the government to ensure the elections were free and fair.
“As we observe the situation, we realise that the elections will not be transparent. But I ask the government to make it sure the vote is credible, otherwise Afghanistan will face many problems.”

KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Abdur Rab Rassoul Sayyaf on Monday promised establishing a caliphate-like government system if he won the April 5 elections.
Addressing a huge gathering of supporters including thousands of religious scholars and students in Kabul, he hailed Islam as the right code of life. He urged people to follow religious teachings.
Sayyaf said he would pay more attention to promoting the Islamic law if he won the presidential race. “I would establish a caliphate-like government if I win the elections.”

MAZAR-I-SHARIF/JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Two gatherings were held in support of presidential candidates Hidayat Amin Arsala and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in eastern Nangarhar and northern Balkh provinces on Sunday.
The public meeting held in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar, was held in favour of Arsala. Fifty percent of people were living below the poverty line, Arsala said, pledging creation of job opportunities.
Arsala promised taking revolutionary steps to make the country a hub of economic activity in the region if he won the presidential ballot.

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Presidential contender Dr. Zalmai Rassoul on Sunday pledged bolstering security across the country and increasing power-generating capacity of the Kajaki dam in southern Helmand province.
Addressing a campaign rallies here, he said: “After stepping up security, increasing the capacity of Kajaki power dam will be my second priority. Electricity from the dam will be supplied to other provinces.”