- Web Desk
- 46 Minutes ago
Iran, US, UK and Pakistani leaders condemn Islamabad Imambargah suicide blast
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- Web Desk
- 1 Hour ago
ISLAMABAD: Condemnations continued to pour in on Friday following a deadly suicide attack at an Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, which left 31 people dead and 169 injured.
In a tweet, Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said that the Iranian government and people strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and sympathy with the injured. He said that Iran was praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
The United Kingdom strongly condemned the suicide attack, with the British High Commission expressing condolences to the families of those killed and solidarity with the victims. UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said violence against innocent civilians was unacceptable and reaffirmed Britain’s support for Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
“Outraged and heartbroken by the horrific attack at Imambargah in Islamabad during Friday prayers. My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and their families. Such violence is abhorrent. We stand with Pakistan,” she said in a tweet.
The United States also condemned the explosion. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, saying terrorism targeting civilians and places of worship was unacceptable. The US embassy said it stood with Pakistan in this difficult time and supported the country’s efforts to ensure peace and security.
The European Union said it condemned terrorism and extremism in all their forms. In a statement, the EU Ambassador to Pakistan said the bloc stood with Pakistan during this difficult time.
Sweden also condemned the attack, with the Swedish ambassador saying the news of the bombing was horrifying. “Horrific news about the attack at Imam Bargah in Islamabad. Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the victims, those injured and their families,” Ambassador of Sweden🇸🇪 to Pakistan Alex Berg von Linde.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide bombing at the Imambargah, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and extending condolences to the affected families.
President Zardari said targeting innocent civilians was a crime against humanity and directed authorities to ensure that the injured received all possible medical treatment. He said the entire nation stood with the bereaved families in this difficult time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the martyrdom of worshippers and conveyed sympathies to the families of the victims.
He directed the interior minister to conduct a full investigation into the attack and instructed the health minister to personally oversee the treatment of the injured. The prime minister said those responsible would be identified and given exemplary punishment, adding that no one would be allowed to spread chaos and instability in the country.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the suicide attack, calling the perpetrators enemies of humanity who deserved no leniency.
He said sectarian violence could not be viewed in isolation, adding that the criminal mindset of both national and international elements involved in such attacks could not be ignored.
Condemnations continue to pour in following the deadly blast, which targeted worshippers and has drawn widespread national and international reaction.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti also condemned the attack, calling it a heinous assault carried out during Friday prayers. He said the people of Balochistan understood the pain of terrorism and knew how deep its wounds could be. Bugti expressed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the suicide attack and expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives. He sought an immediate report from the Islamabad inspector general and ordered a prompt investigation.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori condemned the blast, alleging the involvement of Indian-sponsored terrorists. He termed the killing of innocent worshippers a national tragedy and said the entire nation stood with the grieving families. He expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the state would respond to the Tarlai attack with full force. He said those who killed worshippers were enemies of religion and the country, alleging that evidence had emerged of the attackers’ movement to and from Afghanistan.
He also claimed links between India and the Taliban, saying India was now fighting a proxy war after suffering humiliating defeats and no longer had the courage to engage in direct conflict. Khawaja Asif said the attacker opened fire after being stopped by a security guard before detonating explosives.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also condemned the blast, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives. He said attacks on places of worship were against humanity and societal values, adding that the entire nation stood with the affected families during this difficult time.
Wahab said such cowardly attacks could not weaken the nation’s resolve and stressed that Pakistan remained united against terrorism.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf condemned the blast and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. He offered condolences to the families of those killed and said the attack at the imambargah was a conspiracy to destroy peace.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the suicide attack, expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives. He conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon said the attack on worshippers inside a mosque was an assault on humanity, peace and religious values. He expressed sorrow over the killing of worshippers and said targeting places of worship was a cowardly act that could not be tolerated. Memon said the Sindh government and the entire nation stood with the families of the victims and reaffirmed national unity against terrorism, adding that terrorists would never succeed in their objectives.
The Pakistan Ulema Council condemned the suicide attack and reaffirmed national unity against terrorism. Its chairman, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, said the attack was a direct assault on Islam, humanity and basic human values, stressing that those who targeted places of worship had no connection with Islam or humanity. He said such attacks violated both religious teachings and human conscience and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and the speedy recovery of the injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the blast, expressing deep grief over the killing of worshippers and offering prayers for patience for the bereaved families. He said terrorists who targeted places of worship had no link with religion and described the killing of innocent worshippers as a cowardly, anti-humanity act.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly and inhumane crime. He said the suicide bombing inside a place of worship was the worst example of hostility towards humanity, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic explosion at Masjid Khadija-tul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area and the martyrdom of innocent worshippers. An act of terrorism of this nature in the federal capital is not only a grave failure to protect human lives, but also raises serious questions about the performance of the administration and law-enforcement agencies.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Chairman MWM Pakistan Senator Allama Raja Nasir said: “I strongly condemn this brutal and cowardly attack in the strongest possible terms and extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyrs, while praying for the swift recovery of the injured. Targeting places of worship is a direct assault on humanity, religion and societal values, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
“I make a heartfelt appeal to the conscious and courageous youth of Islamabad to step forward and demonstrate humanity at this critical moment. There is an urgent need for blood for the injured worshippers in various hospitals across Islamabad. I urge everyone to actively participate in this noble cause and play their part in saving precious lives,” he said.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry visited Polyclinic Hospital to inquire after the injured. He said the Tarlai blast was condemnable in the strongest terms, describing terrorists as enemies of Islam and peace. He expressed solidarity with grieving families and said the wounded were being provided the best possible medical care. He termed the attack on innocent civilians a cowardly act and said Pakistan would continue its efforts until terrorism was completely eliminated. Chaudhry also alleged Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said “deeply saddened by the tragic blast at an Imambargah in Islamabad. My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this painful time. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured, and may Allah grant patience and strength to all those affected. Ameen.”
She also said that following the blast, 25 ambulances were dispatched from Punjab to Islamabad, adding that a high alert had been imposed at all hospitals in Rawalpindi district.
She said all blood banks were fully operational, additional medical staff had been deployed and operation theatres were fully prepared. Maryam Nawaz directed the Rawalpindi commissioner and deputy commissioner to provide all possible assistance and ensure immediate and effective treatment for the injured.
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