Presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram on Thursday appeared at his first election camping rally in Kabul where he stressed the need for establishing a federal government in the country which he believes will ensure an equal right to all citizens of Afghanistan.

Mr. Pedram said the National Unity Government's tenure has ended, calling it a regime.

"Our stance is clear. We don’t recognize the National Unity Government," he said.

Mr. Pedram said the presidential election should be held free and fair and that others should not decide on the future of Afghans.

He said they want "the federal republic of Khorasan" for Afghanistan, which differentiates him from other candidates.

Mr. Pedram said that Afghanistan should be divided into several administrative units so that people's rights are ensured equally.

“Our difference with other candidates is that we want to change the system. Clearly, our team and all of us are federalists and republicans. We want a federal government,” Mr. Pedram stated.

"We are not against talks with the Taliban, but it is only acceptable for us if it is run by a federal government," he added.

Mr. Pedram said he will not allow discrimination against women and that he has proper plans for women empowerment.

He suggested that health service and education should be free of charges for the people.

He also talked about the Durand Line and said he recognizes the line as an official border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Regional countries have priority for us in our foreign policy and we want good relations with neighboring countries and we don’t have any problem with the Durand line with Pakistan and that is an officials’ frontier,” Mr. Pedram said.

Afghan presidential elections are scheduled for September 28 in which 18 candidates are running to secure a mandate from Afghans for a five-year term.