KABUL (PAN): Former Finance Minister and head of Afghan Millat Party, Dr Anwarul Haq Ahadi has said that President Karzai might prove his strongest rival in the upcoming presidential elections.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Ahadi however was sure of his success if the polls were not manipulated.

Ahadi recently resigned from his ministerial obligations to field himself as a presidential candidate. Karzai too seems to fight for the slot.

The former minister said: "In presidential elections, Hamid Karzai may give me a tough time because he could use public resources, officials, public assets and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in his favor."

 About possible use of public assets by Karzai, Ahadi said that he was nominated by his party and he will be a national candidate, adding that after nomination of other candidates, he would discuss the issue with them.

 He said some Jihadi commanders, political officials and representatives of various tribes had contacted him and announced their support to him.

 Ahadi said: "I believe in holding free and fair elections, so I nominated myself for presidential race and I will sweep."

 Ahadi considered the leadership of Hamid Karzai as a great pride for the country, but in the same breath he advised Hamid Karzai to give a chance to new leadership.

Ahadi also praised the achievements of Hamid Karzai's government in the areas of banking, finance, education, higher education, health and public works.

However, he said during the last two years, his government failed to maintain security and good governance and favoritism in recruiting people on some posts.

He would not go in details, but said he had advised Karzai in this regard.

To a question that whether Karzai was agreed to his advices or not, Ahadi said that it was up to the president whether to act on his advice or not.

 Ahadi said that he had a vision about how to resolve crises in Afghanistan and hoped by giving a practical shape to his vision, the prevailing crises of the country would resolve.

 However, he did not explain more about his vision saying he would inform people during his election campaign.

 About the security situation, Ahadi said that the security problems had been created by the opposition forces and criminals.

 He also favored talks with opposition forces in order to explore ways for bringing normalcy to the situation. He said that it was the job of the government to deal with the criminals and thieves.

"I am against those who want to achieve their goals with guns and bullets and would always favour those political parties who run their political activities in a peaceful way," he added.

 Without naming any one, Ahadi said that he was ready to negotiate with all political party.

Anwarul Haq Ahad, 58 did his BA and Master in Economics and Political Science from the University of Beirut America and got his Doctorate from Northwestern University in finance and administration.

 He was the General Director of De Afghanistan Bank from 2002- 2004 and later he became finance minister.

Abdul Jabar Sabit, former Attorney General, Dr, Muhammad Halim Tanweer, advisor to the minister of information and culture, Ramazan Bashardost, MP and some others have said that they would contest election.

According to the election law of Afghanistan, nomination should be made 75 days prior to the presidential elections.

Two weeks back Afghanistan Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced that the presidential elections will be held on 20th of August 2009, leaving a three months gap for hopefuls to campaign.

Mnm/ma/ajr