Pakistan condemns suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan

An Afghan policeman stands as unseen volunteers carry an injured on a stretcher to a hospital, following an attack that targeted a parliamentary election rally in the Kama district of the eastern province of Nangarhar, in Jalalabad on Oct. 2, 2018. (AFP)

• Cowardly acts cannot deter the Afghan people from exercising their democratic right to vote, says Pakistan
• Suicide bomber killed at least 13 people in Nangarhar province when an election rally was attacked Tuesday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemned the deadly attack targeting an election rally in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar on Tuesday.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and pray for early recovery of the injured,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in statement late Tuesday.
A suicide bomber killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 20 others at an election rally targeted in Sangar Saray area of Kama district, east of the provincial capital Jalalabad.
“We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and express solidarity with the people and Government of Afghanistan in this hour of grief,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
“Such cowardly acts cannot deter the people of Afghanistan from exercising their democratic right to elect their representatives,” the ministry said.
Islamabad will continue supporting the Afghan people and the Government for durable peace and security in the country, added the statement.
Afghanistan is all set to go to the long-due parliamentary elections on Oct. 20 for which 2,500 candidates formally launched their election campaign on Sept. 28.