KABUL - Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, leader of the National Coalition of Afghanistan said that President Hamid Karzai should not worry himself with what will happen after his final term as President of Afghanistan comes to an end in 2014. Instead, he said the President should focus on addressing the country's problems and holding the elections next spring.

Dr. Abdullah's comments came after President Karzai's First Vice-President, Mohammad Fahim, admonished the leaders of the next government to not seek punishment or revenge against their predecessors once in office.

"We do not want President Karzai to worry about his immunity post-2014," said Dr. Abdullah. "We want people to continue respecting him as an ex-President after 2014. Whatever he did over the past eleven years has passed, and we want him to live with his people like an honorable Afghan."

A number of political parties and MPs have recently voiced concerns that President Karzai was placing his post-Presidency interests ahead of national issues while still in office. The upcoming Loya Jirga – a gathering of national leaders – that Karzai is convening to deliberate on the Bilateral Security Agreement with the U.S. was labeled a ploy by the President for securing influence post-April 5.

Meanwhile, Ahamd Shah Zadran, the leader of the Jabh-e-Salah Wa Falah-e-Afghanistan (JSWFA), announced that his party joined the NCP for the upcoming elections.

"I promise to eradicate the culture of making personal gains at the cost of the people's rights and national interest," said Mr. Zadran. "We have joined the National Coalition Party and will work together."

Dr. Abdullah stressed the fact that Afghanistan has no other option except holding free, fair and legitimate elections in order to build its future. He asked the people to fight for their rights and prevent frauds in the upcoming Presidential and Provincial Council elections. (Tolo News)