Sayyaf quits as lawmaker to have a shot at presidency

KABUL (PAN): Prof. Abdul Rasul Sayyaf on Wednesday announced his resignation as a member of the Wolesi Jirga, confirming his intention to run for the presidential office.
Also the Daawat-i-Islami group head, the parliamentarian informed the lower house he would be a presidential candidate in next year's election.
Minister of Water and Energy Ismail Khan was his choice for the first vice-president, said the noted jihadi leader and religious scholar, who added a decision on picking the second vice-president would be taken later on.       
Also on Wednesday, Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak stood down as advisor to the president on military affairs.
Although the ex-defence minister gave no specific reason for his resignation, he recently received an information kit on next year's presidential election.