Islamabad: Pakistan today congratulated
Afghanistan for "successful holding of elections" and said it
believed the Afghan vote would further strengthen democratic
institutions in the country.
Contenders in the race to become Afghanistan`s next
President claimed today to be heading for victory in polls
acclaimed by the West but undermined by complaints of
ballot-stuffing and low turnout.
"Pakistan believes that these elections would further
strengthen the democratic institutions in Afghanistan and
infuse vitality and vigour to the political life in the
country," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Pakistan expresses the hope that the electoral
process will successfully culminate in an era of peace,
progress and prosperity in Afghanistan."
US President Barack Obama, NATO and many other Western
backers of Karzai`s government welcomed yesterday`s election,
which although subject to sporadic attacks was spared a feared
full-scale Taliban onslaught.
"Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the
new government in Afghanistan," the statement said.
It added Pakistan would "continue to endeavour to
further strengthen its close, cordial, brotherly and fraternal
relations with Afghanistan".
Bureau Report
