PESHAWAR, Sept 21: The Awami National Party has welcomed the parliamentary elections in Afghanistan and said that they would pave the way for establishment of peace in the war-hit country. This was stated by the ANP’s provincial secretary general Mian Iftikhar Hussain in a press statement here on Wednesday.

He said the elections would put an end to a civil war going on for last over 25 years in Afghanistan and its people would take a sigh of relief. While congratulating President Hamid Karzai over holding of peaceful elections, he said that it was a welcome development that more than 12.5 million Afghans cast their votes in 34 provinces of the country.

He said the peace process in Afghanistan had also been helpful in attracting the Afghan refugees to their homeland. He expressed satisfaction over disarming of warlords and said it had reduced their influence to a great extent.

“Infrastructure is being improved and health and educational outlets are being opened. It is really a pleasure to know that the people of Afghanistan are now actively taking part in the reconstruction of their war-torn country”, he added.

He said the international community must recognise the role of Afghanistan in international politics because peace in that country could be a prelude to peace in the entire South Asia.