KABUL - According to reports, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum has resigned as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a bid to participate for the upcoming presidential elections.

A source close to Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum confirmed the report and said that Gen. Dostum presented his resignation to president Hamid Karzai during a meeting in ARG presidential palace.

Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum is expected to run for 2014 presidential elections as the first vice-president of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

He was believed to be a symbolic chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as president Hamid Karzai was also the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Besides, Gen. Dostum was not involved in any major policy making decisions in defense sector or other security related programs in the country.

In the meantime, a source close to Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum furhter added that Mohammad Karim Khalili is also part of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai’s team, and the the team was formed during a meeting this evening.

Former justice minister Sarwar Danish has been elected as the second vice-president of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, and the team is expected to formally file nomination for presidential elections on Sunday. (KP)