AFGHANISTAN has announced that the second phase of its presidential election [will take place on] June 14. ... Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah are in the run for the top slot. ... [Many] people were unhappy over the second phase of the election because they are worried about the lawlessness in the country. ...

The election process is a good omen for the people and the nation as it is an opportunity [for] citizens to freely ... elect a leader. ... Pakistan has fully supported Afghanistan in the process ... because peace in Pakistan depends on peace in Afghanistan. ... Not only the Afghans but the people of Pakistan have also attached great expectations to the presidential election and hope that the peaceful transfer of power will help overcome the prevailing unrest in the country. ... The entire world is moving towards development and progress but the people in this region have been facing serious ... problems. ... Pakistan itself has also suffered heavily due to terrorism and the situation is still very serious. ...

The people of Pakistan hope that the [Afghan] presidential election will bring about a positive change for the people of both countries and the new head of state will play an effective role to strengthen relations between the two neighbours. The basic need is restoration of peace and it is the duty of both countries to devise a solid strategy for the purpose in order to bring about real change.... — (June 3)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2014