President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the bomb blast at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, which has resulted in the loss of several lives and left one Chinese national injured and one reported dead. He expressed deep grief over the casualties and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The President conveyed sincere sympathy to the injured and their families and prayed for their early recovery.

He paid tribute to the spirit of Chinese citizens who have continued to work for the development of Afghanistan despite rising insecurity and serious risks to their lives. President Zardari noted that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has failed to honour the commitments made under the Doha Peace Agreement, particularly the obligation to prevent the use of Afghan soil for the export of terrorism. 

He recalled that Pakistan has repeatedly stressed that no terrorist groups should be allowed safe havens in Afghanistan and that regional peace and security must be upheld. The President said that it is not just Pakistan but other neighbours of Afghanistan, including Tajikistan have recently been affected by the terrorists operating out of Afghan soil. 

The President further stated that the failure to establish a broad based and inclusive government by the Taliban is contrary to the Doha Agreement. He emphasised that full implementation of the agreement, in letter and spirit, along with concrete steps to end cross border terrorism, remains essential. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)