KABUL - Second Vice-President Karim Khalili on Tuesday said the government had appointed provincial governors and district chiefs on merit in the hope to overcome administrative corruption and address people's concerns about the post-2014 situation.

Addressing an oath-taking ceremony for 74 district chiefs and deputy governors in Kabul, Khalili alleged that anti-Afghan groups had intensified efforts at spreading fears of anarchy and civil war in the country after the 2014 withdrawal of foreign troops.

Asking provincial and district officials to concentrate on good governance, he remarked: "2014 is the year when the Afghans will stand on their own feet in various spheres of life."

He said two most important events would take place by 2014 --- the completion of security transition from NATO to Afghan forces and a new presidential election.

The Hazara leader said though the international community would continue to assist Afghanistan financially through the transformation decade after 2014, yet they had to work on reducing reliance on outside assistance.

On the occasion, Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) head Abdul Khaliq Farahi asked the newly-appointed officials to show their worth by banishing corruption from their departments. (Pajhwok)