Kabul, May 29 (IANS): Afghan presidential contender Abdullah Abdullah Thursday said his government will ensure lasting peace in addition to bringing good governance and job opportunities if he wins the upcoming runoff.
"Once again, I promise to Afghans, that we will ensure every youth has access to quality education that could secure them a place in a globalised and highly competitive employment market," Abdullah told thousands of his supporters during an election campaign in Jaghori district of eastern Ghazni province.
He also promised to renew the fight against administrative corruption and insurgency in the war-torn country, Xinhua reported.
The former foreign minister, who secured 45 percent of the votes in the first round of the presidential election, also said his government would prioritise empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable groups.
The runoff between Abdullah and former finance minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is slated for June 14 and the final results will be announced July 22.
During the first round of election April 5, more than seven million Afghans of some 12 million eligible voters cast their ballots amid Taliban threat of violence to elect a successor to outgoing President Hamid Karzai who has ruled the country since the Taliban regime was toppled in late 2001.
The new president will lead the country for the next five years.
The Taliban insurgent group fighting the government has vowed to disrupt the election process.