So how will this impact the situation in Afghanistan, considering a non Pashtun (half pashtun) rising to the top post? and Afghanistans relations in the region (particularly with Pakistan)?
Re: Abdullah Abdullah wins Afghan elections?
Abdulhaq Omeri @AfPak_Journo](https://twitter.com/AfPak_Journo) 5m
afghan](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Afghan&src=hash) election:Breaking: partial results: Abdullah got 43,9 % and Ashraf Ghani 33% votes Via pajhwok
Pajhwok Afghan News @pajhwok](https://twitter.com/pajhwok) 11m
@_EmmaGH](https://twitter.com/_EmmaGH) :49,7 percent of votes so far counted
Re: Abdullah Abdullah leading in Afghan elections
Pakistan Breaks With Tradition in Afghan Election
**Which candidates in the Afghan elections are, in your opinion, supported by Pakistan?
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I think for the first time in its history, which is very unusual, Pakistan is not supporting any candidate. I don’t see Pakistan having a favorite amongst the three top candidates. There’s enormous antagonism against Pakistan in all the three candidates. Usually it’s only the non-Pashtun Tajik candidate who shows a very aggressive attitude to Pakistan, but this time even the Pashtun candidates have been very critical of Pakistani interference and, in their campaign, have talked about Pakistani interference, and clearly, even amongst the Pashtuns, there is a lot of anger and dislike for Pakistan’s policy. So I think it’s been very wise of the military and the intelligence here to actually keep a very low profile in this election, not to become an issue, not to support any one single candidate, which would make Pakistan even more controversial, especially amongst the Pashtuns in Afghanistan.
**What kind of a role do you consider for the ISI and the military in this field?
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Obviously, the ISI and the military have really run the policy on Afghanistan. So it is absolutely crucial that the ISI and the military and the civilian government all speak in one voice about the need for peace in Afghanistan. In the past, what has happened is that the government has pursued one policy and the ISI has undermined that policy and pursued another policy, which has led to chaos and a great deal of bitterness, both in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. I hope that there is one policy that is pursued and that all three pursue a joint policy of persuading the Afghan Taliban that now is the time to go home and negotiate with the president.
Re: Abdullah Abdullah leading in Afghan elections
Abdullah Abdullah's past is know to everyone. His position vis-a-vis Pakistan is not a secret. But the question is if he can remain aloof anymore? A lot of things change when you assume power. Things start to look different when you assume the highest office of your country. Modi in India and Abdullah in Afghanistan could create a dicey situation for Pakistan. Islamabad will need to play its cards carefully to safeguards its interests, without meddling in their affairs.
Re: Abdullah Abdullah leading in Afghan elections
Personally, I think Abdullah is the best candidate. Compared to the other candidates, he seems willing to compromise on important issues that require compromise while remaining steadfast on issues that require assertiveness. Most importantly, he was quite a vocal critic of the Taliban during their years in power and, unlike Karzai, is not likely to waste time attempting to appease the Taliban. The amount of time and resources the Karzai administration wasted attempting to appease the Taliban is mind-boggling. Apparently, he wasn't familiar with the quote by Sir Winston Churchill: "Appeasement is like feeding the crocodile in hopes that it will eat you last."
I think Abdullah’s biggest challenge, though, is in garnering the vote of the Pashtun population as, unfortunately, voters in Afghanistan still tend to vote on ethnic lines. He’s half Tajik and half Pashtun but is usually associated with his Tajik background. In order to reach the over fifty percent mark needed, I think it will be necessary to reach out to the Pashtun voters. His primary opponent, Ashraf Ghani, is quite aware of this and is definitely playing this up. Leading up to and at the beginning of elections, I noticed that he simply referred to himself as Ashraf Ghani in his campaign material and while speaking. However, later on, most of his campaign material referred to him as Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. I have no doubt that this is a deliberate attempt to emphasise his Pashtun background.
Re: Abdullah Abdullah leading in Afghan elections
Abdullah Abdullah's past is know to everyone. His position vis-a-vis Pakistan is not a secret. But the question is if he can remain aloof anymore? A lot of things change when you assume power. Things start to look different when you assume the highest office of your country. Modi in India and Abdullah in Afghanistan could create a dicey situation for Pakistan. Islamabad will need to play its cards carefully to safeguards its interests, without meddling in their affairs.
In concur. Abdullah is known to be anti-Pak and what concerns me more is...what is his next move be..after American leaves Afghanistan. The current state of Afghanistan is very weak. It cannot withhold itself further than Kabul and other big cities. Lets see how he improves relationship with Pakistan and other neighbors.