ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI: The killing of around 70 people in Quetta’s Civil Hospital on Monday was widely condemned across the country.
In a press statement, former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that incidents of terrorism and militancy had not and “will not” weaken the resolve to fight the militants to the finish.
He said that attacks on citizens and the bloodletting of innocent people could not and must not be allowed to go on with impunity.
He called for immediate, decisive and credible measures to stop this barbarism. He said that the PPP would not leave the people on the mercy of terrorists and would fight the militants with the help of the people.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto also condemned the bomb blast and said that such a huge loss had sent mourning waves across the country. He said that those martyred in the bomb blast were all our brothers and sisters. “Terrorists are targeting hospitals, schools and other public places to shake our will to fight back. But, the entire Pakistani nation was united to crush the monster of terrorism with full national might,” he added.
He asked the Balochistan government to provide best possible treatment to the wounded, and offered the Sindh government’s help to treat those injured. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and expressed sympathies with those who lost their near and dear ones in the attack.
In her condolence message, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that attack on Balochistan was an attack on the hearts and spirits of those who wanted to see Pakistan united.
Similarly, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza strongly condemned the incident and expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani and Deputy Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri also condemned the attack and expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over the loss of lives.
In their separate messages, they termed it a barbaric and shameful act of terrorism.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also issued press statements condemning the bomb blast and termed it a barbaric and shameful act of terrorism. The elements involved in such heinous activities are the enemies of the country and humanity and want to disrupt peace in the country, they added.
Separately, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said also that the killing of innocent persons was a barbaric act. “Perpetrators of this act are enemies of peace, development and progress. The people of Pakistan are resilient to foil the designs of the enemies of the country,” the minister said. He said that the government would not rest until the elimination of the last terrorist from the soil of the country. He said that enemies of peace would be dealt with an iron hand.
“The sacrifices of the people of Pakistan in the battle against terrorism and extremism will not go waste,” he said.
In another message, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the blast and firing incidents in Quetta and expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.
He also expressed shock and grief over killing of Balochistan Bar Association president Bilal Anwar Kasi.
Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Food and Parliamentary Affairs Nisar Ahmed Khuhro strongly condemned the blast and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. Khuhro prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and for the early recovery of those injured.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan also strongly condemned the blast at Civil Hospital in Quetta and expressed deep grief and anguish over the loss of precious human lives.
In a condemnation message, he said the nation was united against terrorism, adding that Zarb-e-Azb operation had broken the backbone of terrorists. Expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, he said that the fight against the monster of terrorism would continue.
On the other hand, Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana called Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri and condemned the Quetta attack.
According to a handout issued by the Governor’s House, Malik Rafique condemned the killing of Bilal Anwar Kasi and the attack at Quetta’s Civil Hospital in which 70 precious lives were lost.
Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider also condemned the Quetta blast and expressed his deep sorrow over the sad incident.
He expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls and for quick recovery of the injured. He said that anti-national elements should be dealt with an iron hand, and asked the government to take stern action against the masterminds of the terror attacks.
He said that the Pakistan Army was successfully carrying out the operation against terrorist networks and such attacks were obviously their frustration.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal also condemned the dastardly act and expressed profound grief over the loss of precious human lives.
In a statement, Rana Iqbal prayed for the departed souls and offered condolence to the bereaved families. He also prayed for early recovery of those injured.