ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Thursday condoled over the demise of former IndianPrime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who breathed his last on the day in NewDelhi.

“We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee,former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospitalin New Delhi.

The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences tohis family and to the government and people of India,” the Foreign Officesaid in a press statement.

The Foreign Office spokesman said Vajpayee was a renowned statesman whocontributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained akey supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development.