Five days into the Presidential campaigns, candidate Abdul Rab Rasool Sayaf launched his campaign on Thursday by presenting his policy priorities to supporters gathered in Kabul.
According to Sayaf, who spoke to a crowd under the same tent that was used for the Loya Jirga in November, improving security, rule of law and fighting corruption are the pillars of his campaign.
As a religious scholar, Sayaf has been scrutinized for his stance on women's rights and the role of Islam in governance in Afghanistan. On Thursday, he said he would support women's rights and freedom of expression in so far as Islam would allow.
Sayaf has become notorious for his outspoken denunciations of the Taliban, which have made him a targeted man. However, during his speech, Sayaf expressed optimism about how the Afghan security situation would change even just a few months into his Presidency.
"If we were provided with the chance to serve the people, Inshallah in three to four months considerable changes will be seen regarding security problems," he said.
"Our stand is clear against those who kill our children, who kill our women and bomb our mosques, we have a strict stand and have a strict stand for our God," Sayaf said. "This doesn't mean that we are against peace. I swear to God that I love peace more than anyone else."
Sayaf confirmed that he supported the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) as it had been approved by the Loya Jirga. He said the will of the people ultimately superceded any individual's opinion, regardless of how powerful that person may be.
"I was asked about the Bilateral Security Agreement, well your answer is this hall," Sayaf said. "The Advisory Loya Jirga was called in this same hall, this hall is where they announced their decision as representatives of the people and gave their suggestions to the nation."
"Now is not the time for individuals to rise and give their personal opinions, the nation has made the decision and we will not stand in its way; we are the people of this nation and we will support the decisions of our nation."
The BSA is likely to be a major talking point through out the two month campaign process, so long as President Hamid Karzai continues to refuse to sign the agreement.
Nearly all of the 11 Presidential candidates have voiced support for the security pact, further distancing them from the current administration as Afghans get ready to head to the polls in April for what will be the country's first democratic transition of Presidential power in history.