By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday extended deepest condolences and sympathies over the loss of precious lives and damage to property caused by the tragic earthquake in several provinces of Afghanistan.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the people of Pakistan stand in strong solidarity with their Afghan brethren in this difficult time. 

“We have no doubt that the brotherly Afghan people will overcome the effects of this natural calamity with their characteristic resilience,” said Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

Pakistan's President, Prime Minister, and military leadership also extended condolences over the deadly earthquake and said Pakistan stands with the Afghan government and people in this difficult time. 

“My sympathies are with the victims, I pray for the victims and offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved. Pakistan stands with Afghanistan in this hour of need,” said Dr Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan. 

“Deeply grieved to learn about earthquake in Afghanistan, resulting in loss of innocent lives. People in Pakistan share the grief & sorrow of their Afghan brethren. Relevant authorities working to support Afghanistan in this time of need,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

Meanwhile, Pakistan military leadership also expressed deepest condolances over the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan.

“CJCSC [Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee] & Services Chiefs express deepest condolences over tragic loss of precious lives & damage to infrastructure due to earthquake & torrential floods in various areas of Afghanistan,” said Major General Babar Iftikhar, Director General of ISPR in his tweet.

The military leadership said that the armed forces of Pakistan are ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

So far 1029 people have been killed and over 1600 wounded in Paktika and Khost provinces of Afghanistan while hundreds of houses were destroyed by the last night 6.1 magnitude earthquake.