For peace sake, Hilal ready to show flexibility

KABUL as well as effective drive against administrative corruption as his top priorities.

Launching his election campaign, Hilal told a gathering in Kabul that elections were the best way to bring about a political change. But the polls must be transparent and inclusive, he stressed.

If he won the vote, the contender said he would work sincerely to strengthen security, promote education and forge cooperative relations with neighbours and the world at large.

His principal goals include providing entrepreneurs all possible facilities, cementing national unity, fighting against graft and introducing a system of rewards and punishments.

“I’m doing my best to bring about peace. If more flexibility is needed, I will be ready to do so after winning the vote,” he told thousands of supporters.

An intra-Afghan conference should be arranged to discuss ways of bringing stability to the country, he said, regretting no concrete measures had been taken in recent years.

Hilal said he would give women their rights in light of Islamic teachings and sign agreements of cooperation with foreign countries in line with Afghan values.

Over the past 12 years, he alleged, the government had failed to combat corruption, achieve peace or create job opportunities. He also faulted the 2001 Bonn Agreement, claiming it could not stop the conflict.

“In Bonn, one group was empowered, sparking a war that continues to date,” remarked Hilal, a leader of the Gulbadin Hekmatyar-led Hezb-i-Islami (HIA).

A former vice-president, the candidate said: “Media people often ask me a question that I would like to answer here. I remain an HIA member under Hekmatyar’s leadership. In Afghanistan, there is only one HIA headed by Hekmatyar.”

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