DOHA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Qatar strongly condemned the explosion that took place in the city of Peshawar in Pakistan during an election rally, said state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Thursday.

In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed the country's firm stance on the rejection of violence and terrorism, regardless of its motives and reasons.

Qatar also sent its condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Pakistan, the statement added.

On Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in Peshawar, the capital of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and left dozens of deaths and injuries.

In the attack, at least 20 people were killed, including the Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour, and 62 others were injured.

The accident is considered as the first major incident of violence ahead of the elections in Pakistan.

Following the incident, the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed the polls.