KABUL - President-elect Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, who is due to take over later this week, reaffirmed his resolve on Saturday to pursue a result-oriented peace process with Taliban.

Addressing his supporters including members of the Junbish-i-Milli Islami Afghanistan, led by his deputy Gen. Abdur Rashid Dostum, he linked security to lasting peace in the country. 

The former finance minister added he would be unhappy with himself if corruption continued under his rule. The menace had to be eradicated for the sake of Afghanistan’s progress, he stressed.

Problems of youth and women would be addressed on a priority basis, he promised, stressing the need for massive investments in the country, which he vowed to transform into a regional economic hub.

Referring to the peaceful transfer of power from one elected to president to another, the ex-World Bank executive remarked: “The dream of Khushal Khan Khattak (renowned Pashto poet) has finally come true.”

Ahmadzai assured all ethnic communities of equal opportunities, linking his success to stout support from Dostum.

For his part, Dostum hoped the Ahmadzai administration would steer the country out of its multiple problems. They would meet all campaign promises, he said.

He appreciated people’s enthusiastic participation in the election process, streaming to polling stations, despite serious security threat.

The unity government would do all it could to create jobs, restore security, promote education and bring economic prosperity to the impoverished nation.

Dostum observed the election campaign itself was fraught with security risks but they went to different provinces to see what the masses expected.

He particularly praised hectic efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Jan Kubis to break the electoral deadlock.  (Pajhwok)