ISLAMABAD, OCT 19 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called his Afghan counterpart Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani to express his condolences on the sad demise of senior Afghan leaders and officials, including the Governor, Police Chief and Intelligence Head of Kandhar, in a terrorist attack in Kandhar yesterday. FM Qureshi also offered prayers for the maghfirah of the deceased and his thoughts and condolences for the victims’ families, adding that Pakistan continues to stand with its Afghan brothers and sisters, sharing their pain and grief.

Mr. Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism. We would continue to work with Afghanistan for achieving long term peace and stability in the region, for which ending the conflict in Afghanistan was an essential step.Peace and economic development in Pakistan was linked with restoration of complete peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister expressed the hope that parliamentary elections would be held in a peaceful environment throughout Afghanistan, on 20 October 2018. These elections are an important landmark for strengthening of democracy in the country, which remains the key to achieve sustainable peace and progress in Afghanistan.He also reassured Mr. Rabbani about Pakistan’s complete support for Afghan democratic process.

Thanking the Foreign Minister for his support, FM Rabbani briefed Mr. Qureshi about the difficulties being faced by the Afghan government in holding the upcoming elections in Afghanistan in a successful manner. He reiterated Afghan government’s strong resolve to overcome all difficulties in this regard. Mr. Rabbani also expressed the hope that both countries would continue to work together in pursuing peace and an end to the decades old conflict in Afghanistan.