KABUL (PAN): Minister-designate for Borders and Tribal Affairs portfolio Syed Ahmad Gilani on Tuesday pledged to strive for unity among the ranks of tribes in the country. Seeking a vote of confidence from the Wolesi Jirga, Gilani said he would struggle to win the hearts and minds of people of bordering provinces to strengthen the government. He said currently there were 85 tribal councils countrywide registered with the ministry. Gilani said he would pay special attention to strengthening the tribal councils which he believed can play a great role in national reconciliation. The minister-designate also claimed that his ministry would play a major role in eradicating poppy crops, promoting the living standard of people through promotion of education level of tribal people. In a reply to a question about the Durand Line, he said: "The issue of Durand Line is out of our authority, it can be solved with the help of representatives from the nation or Parliament." Born in 1955 in Kabul, Gilani has completed his secondary education from the Habibia High School. He joined the Public Relation Department of the Justice Ministry in 1973. He completed his higher education in Cairo, and did graduation inn Political Science in 1976 in Iran. frm/ma
