KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai’s older brother Qayyum Karzai announced his support to presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Sunday, when members of the Shiite community also joined the Change and Continuity team.
Qayyum Karzai had dropped out of the April 5 presidential election in favour of Zalmai Rassoul, another flopped contender, who finished third behind Ghani.
At a gathering in Kabul, Qayyum Karzai said both the presidential hopefuls were respected figures. After prolonged deliberations with his supporters, the businessman said he decided to support Ahmadzai in the runoff round because of his programmes for Afghanistan’s future.
He urged both the runners to avoid criticising each other while canvassing. He described Friday’s assassination attempt on leading presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah the handiwork of Afghanistan’s enemies.
In response to support Qayyum and the Kakar tribe of Kandahar pledged to his team, Ahmadzai said: “The union of two brothers will change Afghanistan.” He called Qayyum a close friend.
He again condemned the attack on Dr. Abdullah’s campaign convoy, expressing satisfaction that Abdullah and his team’s senior members were unhurt.
The former university chancellor said: “Afghanistan’s president decree that asks security forces to remain impartial clearly demonstrates the people demand.”
Meanwhile, some members from the Shiite minority announced support to Ahmadzai in the second round of election in west of Kabul.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmadzai said: “Ulema will serve as torch bearers to guide us to maintaining equality and harmony between Shiite and Sunni sects.”
If succeeded, Ghani said would serve the people irrespective of their caste, creed and religion when it came to their rights. About endemic administrative corruption, he said: “We will not tolerate any sort of corruption.”
His second running mate Sarwar Danish said the Hazara tribe was neglected in the past but now all people would benefit from the progress and development taking place in Afghanistan.
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