KABUL (PAN): Muhammad Akbar Orya, a presidential candidate, has promised to implement the Constitution in letter and spirit if he wins the August 20 vote.
In order to enforce the Basic Law, Orya said in an interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, he would consult and seek support from members of the Afghanistan United Party (AUP) that he heads.
He did not reveal the exact number of party members but added the AUP has yet to be registered with Justice Ministry. More than 60,000 educated people supported the party, he claimed.
The presidential hopeful stopped short of naming any of the 60,000 supporters for fears the enemies of Afghanistan might target them.
In a bid to distinguish himself from other contestants, he referred to his services as a diplomat during the governments of Babrak Karmal, Dr. Najibullah and Burhanuddin Rabbani.
Asked why he jumped into politics, he replied the AUP Coordination Council had named as candidate for the top office. He was optimistic of bagging the votes of 60,000 party members. Each of the members, he claimed, had around 6,000 supporters.
Members of his party included a large number of former mujahideen and workers of People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan -- a rare blend of Islamists and communists.
The former envoy expected to poll many votes because the people were fed up with extremism. His priorities include encouraging domestic investment, boosting the agriculture sector and providing jobs to the people.
He added I will establish 20 to 30 factories each year from internal revenues such as copper mine of Ainak and each such factory will provide job for about 5000 people.
He said there were over five thousands mines in Afghanistan which could have been extracted with the energy sources we have in Afghanistan and he would do that.
If elected as president, he will focus on exploiting vast reserves of fuel and gas, iron and precious stones in the north and the Haji Gak mine during the first year of his tenure.
In an attempt to deal with security threats, Orya promised he would address the roots causes of instability to pave the ground for developing Afghanistan's long-neglected mining sector.
While identifying widespread poverty, hunger and unemployment as the root causes of insecurity in the war-devastated country, he alleged foreigners had imposed their beliefs on the unsuspecting Afghan masses.
Orya claimed having a clear plan to tackle the misuse of religion for political gains. As part of the plan, he will either close down private religious schools or bring them under the Education Ministry. Additionally, his administration will equip schools with modern facilities.
Orya said he was determined to mend fences with Pakistan as a foreign policy priority and resolve all issues with the neighbouring country. Simultaneously, he will seek support from the UK, Russia and veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council in this regard.
About campaign finances, Orya said he had spent $70,000 from his own pocket. However, many supporters also financed his election campaign in provinces.
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