Karzai to maintain political influence after stepping down: Dobbins

The US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins has said that President Hamid Karzai would continue to wield influence after stepping down. While speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Dobbins predicted that Karzai will maintain political influence event after he steps down. “He will be an influential figure after the elections and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing,” Dobbins quoted by AFP said. He said, “He will be an influential figure after the elections and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.” “I think that the new president will respect him,” the envoy said, adding that, “We believe he views a peaceful transfer as a part of his legacy.” In regards to the Afghan president election, Dobbins said the elections are crucial for the country’s survival in the post-Karzai era. He refrained from predicting the results of the ongoing elections to pick a successor to Karzai and said whoever wins Afghanistan’s election will lead the country into a new era after Karzai’s 13 years in power and as US-led troops end their war against Taliban insurgents.