Lahore suicide attack an attempt to subvert polls: US

Washington, Jan 11 : The US has condemned yesterday's suicide attack in Lahore which claimed at least 25 lives, saying that it was an attempt to subvert the process of restoration of democracy in Pakistan, in general, and next month's general elections in particular.

It urged Pakistanis not to allow terrorists to undermine the democratic process.

"We condemn this act of violence and any attempts to subvert the democratic process in Pakistan prior to elections," the Dawn quoted US National Security Council spokesperson Katherine Starr, as saying.

The Council is part of the US' White House establishment.

At the US State Department, deputy spokesman Tom Casey urged Pakistanis not to allow terrorists to undermine the democratic process. "This is a terrible, tragic act of terrorism. We condemn it," said Casey.

"We're going to continue to work with the government of Pakistan, as well as with all the major political parties there, to be able to help move forward the process of Pakistan's democracy, particularly as we look toward elections in February," he added.

Casey said that the US believes that it's "critical to Pakistan's future that it develops as a peaceful, moderate, Islamic democracy".

ANI