FM Qureshi calls Afghan counterpart, condemns Kandahar attack

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani on Friday to express his condolences on the sad demise of senior Afghan leaders and officials, including the governor, police chief and intelligence head, in a terrorist attack in Kandahar on Thursday.

FM Qureshi also offered prayers for the deceased and expressed his condolences for the victims’ families, adding that Pakistan continues to stand with its Afghan brothers and sisters, sharing their pain and grief.

He 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 is an essential step. Peace and economic development in Pakistan is linked with the restoration of complete peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.

He expressed hope that parliamentary elections would be held in a peaceful environment throughout Afghanistan on October 20, 2018.

These elections are an important landmark for the strengthening of democracy in the country, which remains the key to achieve sustainable peace and progress in Afghanistan.

He also reassured his Afghan counterpart about Pakistan’s complete support for the Afghan democratic process.  FM Rabbani also briefed FM Qureshi about the difficulties being faced by the Afghan government in holding the upcoming elections in Afghanistan in a successful manner.

He reiterated the Afghan government’s strong resolve to overcome all difficulties in this regard. FM 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.