PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao has condemned a huge bomb blast in Kabul on Wednesday, which killed at least 80 people and injured hundreds of others.

In a statement issued here, the QWP chief said terrorism had played havoc with lives of people in both Pakistan and Afghanistan during the past decade and it was time both the states devised a joint strategy to effectively tackle the menace.

He urged the international community to make sincere efforts in restoring peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.

Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with the families of the deceased and wounded people, Mr Sherpao said the bloodshed had also caused serious unrest among the people of Pakistan.

Sherpao, Asfandyar condemn Kabul blast

“It is need of the hour that both Afghanistan and Pakistan should join hands to take unified stand against terrorists in order to restore sustainable peace and strengthen economies of the two countries,” he said.

Mr Sherpao said for the terrorists religion, morality and nationality had no value and they had to fulfill their nefarious designs at all costs to create disruption, instability and cause destruction.

He said the worst affected in war on terror were Pakhtuns, adding they needed international community’s support to continue firm stand against terrorists and restore business activities in their regions.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan and general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain condemned the Kabul blast, and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.

“ANP strongly condemns the attack in Afghan capital that killed and wounded innocent people,” the statement said.

It urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to formulate a joint strategy to prevent acts of terrorism in future. The statement said Islamabad and Kabul would have to resolve mistrust and act jointly against militancy.

The ANP leaders said policy makers of both the countries should not differentiate between the good and bad Taliban and take bold steps against terrorists.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2017