ISLAMABAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani government on Tuesday expressed sadness about the loss of life and property in an earthquake hitting western Afghanistan the day before.

"We are deeply saddened at the earthquake that struck Badghis province in western part of Afghanistan on Jan. 17 that resulted in the loss of many precious lives as well as destruction of property," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.

The government and people of Pakistan convey their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, and also wish early recovery of those injured in this earthquake, the statement said.

The death toll from the magnitude 5.6 earthquake striking Afghanistan's western province of Badghis Monday afternoon has risen to 22, according to a provincial official on Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit 40 km east of Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital of Badghis which borders Turkmenistan. Several aftershocks were also felt in the region. Enditem

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