If elected, Sayyaf to crack down on graft, drugs

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pledging to improve security in four months, presidential candidate Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf on Thursday said he would launch a crackdown on corrupt officials and drug traders, if voted to power in the April elections.

Sayyaf, a former jihadi commander, was addressing thousands of people in Kabul as part of his election campaigning that began five days ago. “Corruption is a disease that can become cancerous, if not cured,” he said.

Sayyaf claimed knowing where corruption occurred and where the corrupt were. “Showing any leniency to corrupt officials is a big national betrayal and I would tackle them with an iron fist,” he announced to applause from the gathering.

On drugs, Sayyaf said he would fight against the menace with full force because growing and smuggling narcotics had been fuelling obscenity and immoral activities in devoutly Muslim Afghanistan.

Referring to peace and security, the presidential hopeful said both were of paramount importance to the nation. “If there is no security, we cannot even worship,” he said, adding a transparent programme, law implementation and firm decisions were needed to achieve peace.

“If I become president, you will see a visible change in terms of security within four months.” Sayyaf said he would work for peace, but would not spare those involved in killing women and children.

“I will prove how we can bring about peace,” he said, endorsing the Loya Jirga’s decision on the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US, a deal that Karzai has been reluctant to sign.

He would also encourage investment in mining and infrastructure sectors and make Afghanistan self-sufficient in health to obviate the need for Afghans going to foreign countries.

He would give greater attention to the private sector and involve civil society groups in all government affairs. Sayyaf said he would give women their rights as enshrined in Islam. “Islam gives women the right to inherit, but our society has deprived them of this right.”

Sayyaf said he would provide women access to education, jobs and political consultations. He also called on rebels to join their countrymen in electing a new government.

ma/mud

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