ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Sunday strongly condemned the assassination of a prominent member of the Afghan High Peace Council, Arsala Rehmani, in Kabul.

Arsala Rahmani, was killed by unidentified gunmen in the Dehpora area in Kabul city Sunday morning, deputy commander of Kabul Province police, Mohammad Daud Amin, said.

“The Government of Pakistan conveys its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Afghanistan on this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr Rehmani,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“Our two countries face the common threat of terrorism, and Pakistan is committed to work closely with Afghanistan to eliminate this scourge,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement.

He said peace and stability in Afghanistan is a core national interest of Pakistan.

“Pakistan would continue to support all efforts that contribute to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” the statement said.

Slain Arsala Rehmani was minister of higher education under the Taliban and had also served as Minister for Hajj affairs during the government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Afghan Taliban denied the group’s involvement in the murder of Arsala Rehmani.

“The Islamic Emirate (Taliban) has no hand in the assassination of Arsala Rehmani,” Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message from Afghanistan.

Arsala Rehmani was also member of the Afghan Senate and had been actively involved in peace and reconciliation process.

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