For days, there has been speculation that the Taliban will disrupt the elections, at least to some extent, owing to a spate of suicide attacks they had been launching on offices of the election commission and on other government officials. While I was writing this piece, a German journalist was killed in an attack in eastern border Khost province. However, despite the havoc and bloodshed, elections are not being postponed. So, whoever wins the elections should realise that this is not simply his individual win, but a victory of the Afghan nation.
The three candidates are indeed highly qualified, have remained on key posts in the government and desire to see a prosperous Afghanistan. They have also exhibited a commitment to foster friendship with neighbours like Pakistan, Iran and countries in the Central Asian Republic.
The major challenges for most countries in this region are militancy, corruption and poor governance. These may only be checked via a collective wisdom — similar to the sort which the Afghan nation has shown by insisting on an electoral process despite a number of challenges. Other challenges particular to Afghanistan include the problem of a worsening ethnic strife. All three presidential candidates have links with the major ethnic groups of Afghanistan, which bodes well for Afghan unity.
The Afghan nation’s continuing enthusiasm in today’s election shows that Afghans have learnt that their future is related to peace and peace can only be achieved through the ballot. They also know that blaming others for their problems is an easy job — gearing up and being introspective, on the other hand, is the need of the day. They have learnt the hard way that a policy of friendship and non-interference in each other’s affairs is in their own interest. We hope these polls pave the way for a new era of prosperity in Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2014.
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Nothing will change for the people whether the people are Afghans or people are from anywhere else in the world. It is the people themselves who are responsible for bringing a change in their conditions. Everyone who will obey Lord Creator, Lord Almighty will be able to change their lot. To do so people at large will need to change their habits. They will need to make themslelves likeable and loveable people due to their good habits and deeds. This will help them in coming together to rally round no one but the Lord. Lord commanded people to create true democracy by organising consultative committees of the people, by the people. While getting round their common business Lord commanded people to uphold justice at all the times. Justice is the doorway to peaceful living. People do get divided when they rally round their different human allahs. It means that some people obey this human allah and some obey that human allah. People will never get divided when they all will come to obey one and only one Lord. Lord Almighty. Will they?