GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Provincial council members from central Logar and southeastern Paktia provinces on Friday said they had stepped up efforts to resolve the deadlock over the presidential poll results.
During a meeting in Gardez, the capital of Paktia, provincial council heads from the two provinces underlined the need for a political solution to the crisis.
Dr. Abdul Wali, head of the Logar provincial council, said they had been in contact with their colleagues across the country. A grand meeting would be held in Kabul soon to find a way out of the standoff.
One of the objectives behind the meeting, he said, would be to bring both presidential contenders face to face to amicably settle the issue. He said it was a good initiative taken by provincial council members.
Shaista Jan Ahadi, the Paktia provincial council chief, said efforts had been expedited to end the standoff between the two presidential hopefuls.
The crisis had left a negative impact on the economy, politics and security, he said, stressing the need to tamp down the tension without further delay. If not settled, the issue could put a damper on public enthusiasm about participation in elections, he warned.
rm/mud
