English | دری | پښتو
I have a clear strategy and plans for Afghanistan. I made a promise to the people of Afghanistan and I stand by it. I respect my nation’s trust in me, and hope to win the hearts and minds of my nation with my good intentions and plans to serve my people.
There have been some rumors lately that I have pulled out from the elections for the benefit of a certain candidate. I reject these baseless rumors and assure my worthy nation that I plan to give Afghanistan a new beginning with a detailed national rebuilding plan. I begin with a new hope and a new movement.
I would like to explain to the hopefuls of a new beginning that Mr. Karzai has approached me several times, and more recently Interior Minister Mr. Hanif Atmar and Director of Regional Organs Mr. Ghulam Jilani Popal have approached me on his behalf, all delivering the same message; for me to pull out of the elections for Karzai’s sake. I have rejected the offer and clearly explained that I have effective and organized development programs for my nation and my country, and I wish to get the support of the people to help me implement these programs.
Dear fellow country men and women!
I believe that power should be in the hands of the people. The elected team should be a real representative of the people, and be an interpretation of the nation’s hopes, dreams and intentions. A system that gives every Afghan the chance, by establishing an effective government, to have a say and participate in the reconstruction process, establish a dynamic economy, bring peace, create work opportunities, promote and establish an effective education system and create national unity with feeling of patriotism and responsibility towards the country.
I believe in a national consensus for the implementation of the national development programs and in the unity of the nation, and would never participate in a dirty deal for the sake of getting a post of power. I don’t want to shake a fruitless tree, with a trunk that is soon to turn into dry wood. My reason for running for presidency is not to gain the presidential benefits, but to work for my people and for Afghanistan with new hope and a new beginning.
Joining a corrupt administration that lacks both a plan and a strategy and supports drug trafficking would be a political suicide, and I would never agree to it.
I have a great deal of trust in the people of Afghanistan whom I believe will make the right choice being fully aware of the situation. I believe the people wish well for the country and I trust their decision.
Ashraf Ghani
