ISLAMABAD, July 22: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said on Thursday that the government would extend all possible help for the coming election in Afghanistan and welcome international observers to inspect the voting conducted in Pakistan.

Responding to a question at a news briefing with the German foreign minister at the Foreign Office, Mr Kasuri said that in addition to the $100 million committed for reconstruction of Afghanistan, Pakistan had offered to contribute $4 million for the registration of Afghan refugees here.

"The larger the number of people who participate the better it would be," he said referring to the election.

He said around 1.9 million Afghan refugees were living in camps and 1.5 million had settled in the cities.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan was trying to devise new methods of identification and was in touch with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in this regard.

"We are prepared to have some sort of a mechanism where all Afghans can be registered," he said and added that it was in the interest of peace and security in Pakistan and stability of Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan had offered its help in conducting the election among the refugees.

Pakistan would also welcome international observers for the election, he said. "We are prepared to give them the personnel and in order that they (elections) are perceived to be fair, we are also prepared to take international observers because we don't want any questions about legitimacy of elections in Pakistani territory," he said and added: "But if you need any observation from the UN personnel or anybody, you are welcome to inspect the election."

The minister observed: "Pakistan has a very direct and vital interest in seeing that elections in Afghanistan are held peacefully and as a result of that you have a stable government in Afghanistan."-Q.A.