Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Hekmat Khalil Karzai on Sunday rejected joining any electoral team, rather pledged to work for peace and security.
“As our country embarks on a new electoral race, Afghans will once more be faced with a choice. This choice cannot be simply about political slogans; it must meet the aspirations of our people,” he, who is also Director of Center for Conflict and Peace Studies, said in social media statement.
“The ability to have a fair, transparent and nonviolent transfer of power is important for the entire nation and it is the responsibility of all of us to participate in the upcoming elections,” he tweeted.
“However, it saddens me that our current politics have failed to deliver the direction, stability and prosperity our country deserves. Another election campaign alone will not suffice. We cannot hope to progress without a dignified and lasting peace.”
“After honest and extensive consultations, I have decided all my focus must be devoted to the pursuit of peace for now. I am committed to efforts that can help this noble cause. Afghanistan cannot afford to lose any more of its people, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and loved ones.”
This comes as presidential race is in full swing, and the registration
process of July 20 presidential election closed Sunday with 14 participants
registered.
Candidates include incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, former national-security
adviser Hanif Atmar, and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. Ghani and Abdullah
contested a close election in 2014 that was marred by allegations of massive
fraud.
