Karzai criticised before Afghan presidential elections

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai is facing criticism from political opponents and ordinary citizens ahead of the country's August-20th-presidential elections.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks a press conference in Kabul in June 2009.(AFP/File/Massoud Hossaini)

Karzai's taking some heat over refusing to take part in a televised election debate.

Karzai had been due to face rivals Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani. But he withdrew on the eve of the first debate, saying more opponents and media outlets should have been involved.

Thursday night's debate without him. But Karzai has not ruled out taking part in future debates.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama's special envoy to Pakistan stresses the Afghan elections will take place on schedule, but stability in Afghanistan can only be achieved when Pakistan makes its own efforts in fighting the Taliban.

Richard Holbrooke, US Special Envoy to Pakistan, said, "We've said it before and let me say it again: Afghanistan cannot be stabilized unless Pakistan does its part in its western regions. And right now, finally, the Pakistani army is engaged in a very significant military offensive against the Taliban."