Monday, July 20, 2015
Kabul (BNA) Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has paid a visit to Paktia to assess the province’s security situation and problems and offer greetings to 203rd Tandar Corps personnel on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his speech to ANA personnel in the Corps, the country’s President while praising the country’s defense and security forces for their services and bravery assured that fundamental reforms would be brought in Afghanistan defense and security system so that each military would professionally promote. Pointing to changing calories, President Ghani said, “I’m heading the committee of procurement to provide you possibilities and equipment; therefore, share your every problem with me in this regard as I’m the first and last servant of you.” “I know that you’re far from your children and families on Eid days to do your national and key tasks of protecting the country; thus, the country’s religious ulamas and elders are fully supporting you and all countrymen are proud of you,” the country’s President added.
In his speech, President Ghani said after withdrawal of nearly 120,000 foreign troops from Afghanistan, the country’s defense and security forces with cooperation and coordination of the people of Afghanistan have controlled security incidents and spoiled all plots of enemies of Afghanistan. According to another report, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani traveled to Khost Province last week to offer his condolences to the survivors of the victims of last Sunday’s suicide attack.
President Ghani and his entourage attended the mourning ceremony of the victims of the suicide attack in the Mosque of Sheikh Zayed Campus along with the Governor, Representatives, Tribal Elders, Religious Scholars as well as members of Provincial Council and Civil Society of Khost Province. President Ghani prayed to Allah the Exalted to bestow paradise on the martyrs, grant patience to the survivors and health to the wounded. He also asked the governor of Khost Province to provide necessary assistance for the families of the victims. In his address, the President also praised the people of Khost for their broad participation in the last presidential elections, support for Khost University and contribution to maintaining law and order in the province.
Referring to the residents of Khost who work in Gulf, the President said that the Kings and Emirs of Arab countries have repeated thanked him for the fact that Afghans in general and Khostis in particular have worked as honorable and peaceful residents in their countries. Welcoming President Ghani, the Governor of Khost Province Hukum Khan Habibi presented the people’s ideas and proposals on construction of Ghulam Khan Transit Road and Khost Airport. The President said that he had spoken with Pakistan about Ghulam Khan Transit as this route is not only short but also cost-effective. He added that my plan is to ensure that all bordering provinces have their transit routes, especially Khost. He added that we have also focused on Angor Ada transit road. Concerning the airport of Khost, the President said that I will order construction work to begin as soon as I receive assurances about transparency of the contract for construction of the airport. Calling the role of tribal elders important in bridging distance between the government and people, the President asked the people of Khost to introduce their representatives and elders to help him with the relevant affairs and peace efforts.
President Ghani said that all the people of Afghanistan want peace and that he had conveyed this desire of the Afghan people to Pakistan. He added that our perseverance has produced results as the first step has been taken and we expect more steps to be taken in the future. The President said that our goal is to bring about durable peace, but this cannot be achieved through raising loud voices and noises; it requires determination, will and unity.
The President also said that we have clearly communicated to the regional and global leaders that Afghanistan should not be a field for competition and rivalry, but a platform for cooperation and peace. The President reiterated that we have the will and determination for peace as he called on all the elders, scholars, politicians and civil society activists of Khost Province to work for peace in the country.
Thanking the President, the elders of Khost province declared their full support for the programs and peace efforts of the government and the President.
