Ghani assures enhanced border security for Pak polls

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], Jul 17 (ANI): Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday assured Pakistan of providing assistance to enhance border security measures on the Afghan side of the border between the two countries during the July 25 general elections.

In a telephonic conversation, Ghani condemned the recent suicide attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Pakistan caretaker prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk asserted that the blasts were an effort to thwart the democratic process of the country, Geo TV reported.

"The caretaker government is determined to ensure timely conduct of elections," Mulk said.

Both sides agreed to jointly work for combating terrorism in the region.

Ghani also spoke to Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, where he offered his condolences on the loss of several lives in the recent terror attacks in the country.

Pakistan, which is slated to hold general elections on July 25, has witnessed a series of terror attacks, targeting the political parties and their supporters in the country.

On July 15, Pakistan observed a day of national mourning in light of the recent terrorist attacks on political candidates and their supporters.

At least 130 people, including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Siraj Raisani, were killed and over 200 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up during an election rally in Mastung on July 13, making it one of the single largest terror attacks in the history of Pakistan.

According to media reports, the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the Mastung attack.

The same day, at least four people were killed and a dozen others were injured in another blast in Bannu in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The bomb exploded near the rally of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (F)'s Akram Khan Durrani, who is contesting election against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. Durrani escaped the attack unhurt, Geo News quoted Regional Police Officer (RPO), Bannu, Karim Khan in a report.

Earlier on July 9, Awami National Party (ANP) candidate from Peshawar Haroon Bilour and 19 others were killed in a suicide blast in Peshawar. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to media reports. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI