Qureshi condoles loss of lives in Kandahar attack

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday condoled the death of three senior Afghan officials in a terror attack in Kandahar and assured Islamabad's full support to the democratic process in the war-torn country.

Kandahar's powerful provincial police chief Abdul Razik and the province's intelligence chief, Abdul Mohmin, had died in the Taliban attack Thursday, while provincial governor Zalmay Wesa died later of his injuries at a hospital.

According to the Foreign Office, Qureshi offered prayers for the deceased and sent his condolences for the victims' families.

"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," Qureshi told his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani over phone.

He said that peace and economic development in Pakistan was linked with restoration of complete peace and stability in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The foreign minister expressed the hope that parliamentary elections would be held in a peaceful environment throughout Afghanistan on Saturday.

"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 said.

He also reassured Rabbani about Pakistan's complete support to the Afghan democratic process.

Thanking Qureshi for Pakistan's support, Rabbani briefed him about the difficulties being faced by the Afghan government in holding the upcoming elections in a successful manner.

He reiterated the Afghan government's strong resolve to overcome all difficulties.

Rabbani also expressed the hope that both countries would continue to work together to bring an end to the decades-old conflict in Afghanistan.