PESHAWAR, Aug 18: The Consul-General of Afghanistan in Peshawar, Haji Abdul Khaliq, has advised his Afghan compatriots living in the NWFP refugee camps to get themselves registered as voters and take part in the elections scheduled for October this year.

Speaking at a function held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of independence of Afghanistan here at local hotel on Wednesday, he said Afghanistan had chosen a safe passage for its socio-economic development after the fall of Taliban some three years ago. He said Afghans had rendered immense sacrifices to defend their independence in the last 85 years.

He said Afghanistan was heading towards a bright future under its present leadership, which had waged a long war for the rights of the people and their freedom. The Afghans were peace-loving people who wanted to live a peaceful life in this part of the world, the Afghan envoy said.

Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said his party had been struggling for the unity of Afghans for the last several decades. The British colonial government had divided Afghans into many parts to weaken their political strength, he added.

He said it had been the political stand of his party that the Afghans across the border were one and the same people and their division was unnatural. He said the ANP had also opposed all sorts of interference into Afghanistan by foreign powers.

"We want to see Afghans as makers of their fate. The foreign interference had destroyed Afghanistan and its people. A free and independent Afghanistan is inevitable for the regional stability," he added.

Leaders o ANP, Pukhtoon Qaumi Party, provincial ministers and local politicians attended the gathering. Afghan schoolchildren presented Afghan national songs. The hall was decorated with tri- coloured Afghan flags and portraits of Amanullah Khan, modern and intellectual king of Afghanistan.