Next week's elections are the best way forward for Pakistan, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Sunday after suicide bombers killed 39 people in the South Asian nation.
Smith said democracy was the best hope for Pakistan where crucial parliamentary polls will be held on Monday. "It's a very important election," Smith said. "We want democracy in Pakistan, that's the best way to guard against terrorism," he told Network Ten.
Smith said Pakistan's security situation had implications for Australia's 900 or so troops operating in neighbouring Afghanistan, as well as Afghanistan itself. "We hope that there is full and free participation in the election," he said.