Political leaders unite in grief and fury

ISLAMABAD:

A rare, grim consensus emerged across the divided political spectrum on Friday as leaders condemned the suicide bombing at the Khadijatul Kubra mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai district, an attack that struck worshipers at prayer, killing dozens and injuring many others.

From federal to provincial leaders, statements poured in expressing grief, outrage and determination, calling for swift justice, tougher counter-terrorism measures and national unity against extremism and sectarian violence.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack as an attack on humanity, faith and national conscience. He demanded an immediate and transparent investigation and urged the government to bring the perpetrators and their enablers to justice.

Bilawal also called for effective measures to protect places of worship nationwide. He expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, stressing the need for national unity against hatred, extremism and terrorism.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said a terror attack in Islamabad, following incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, showed that no part of the country was safe.

Terming the blast as a failure of law enforcement, he urged concerned authorities to focus on public order, public safety and protection of lives and property of citizens, without political interference.

Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas termed the blast a brutal and cowardly attack, expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives. He condemned the targeting of places of worship as a direct attack on humanity, faith and social values.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan President Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressed deep sadness over the tragedy, terming the blast a heinous conspiracy to sabotage national peace. He urged law enforcement agencies to intensify their operations against terrorists.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sadness over the incident, offering “prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi termed the attack a “cowardly and inhumane crime” and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.

“The suicide attack in a place of worship is the worst example of enmity against humanity,” he said. “The provincial government also shares the grief of the bereaved families.”

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, stressing that the people of his province “were no strangers to this grief”. [and] We know how deep the wound of terrorism is.”

“I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said: “Targeting a place of worship and innocent worshipers is an attack on our faith, values ​​and common humanity. »

Expressing his grief, he stressed that the people of KP stood with the bereaved.

“This dastardly act is part of a sinister conspiracy by Fitna al Khawarij, operating under Indian patronage, to sow fear and destabilize our country,” the governor said.

“The people of Pakistan stand with our armed forces against any anti-state elements. We will defeat this menace with unity, courage and unwavering determination, and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.”

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the attack was “totally condemnable” and “part of a long line of proxy terrorist plots orchestrated by India”.

“This path was actually charted by several strategists in India after they were defeated by Pakistan at Marka-i-Haq,” she said in a social media post, referring to Pakistan’s victory over India in a brief war last May.

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“There are no words strong enough to condemn this horrible explosion,” she said.

In a statement issued by its central information department, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the “horrific suicide attack” in Islamabad.

“Targeting a place of worship is an extremely cowardly and inhumane act, which reflects the savagery of terrorists and constitutes a reprehensible conspiracy to undermine peace in Pakistan,” the statement said.

“The PTI fully condemns terrorism and all elements behind it, and demands that the terrorists involved in this heinous crime and their enablers be brought to justice immediately.”

The party also prayed for those killed in the blast and demanded that the relevant authorities immediately provide the best possible medical care to the injured.

“To eradicate this growing scourge of terrorism, the entire nation must stand united so that peace, tolerance and stability in Pakistan can be ensured,” the PTI said.

Lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of the PTI, condemned the blast in an article on X, offering condolences to the victims and their families.

“The time has come for every terrorist, wherever they are, to meet their end in the depths of hell. I hope that, God willing, with the cooperation of all of us, our provincial and national institutions will succeed in this war,” he said.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives caused by the incident.

“Such a terrorist incident in the federal capital is not only a proof of the grave failure in protecting human lives, but it is also a big question mark on the performance of the administration and law enforcement agencies,” he said in a post on X.

Abbas strongly condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

“Targeting places of worship constitutes a direct attack on humanity, religion and social values, which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

He also appealed to the youth of Islamabad to donate blood in hospitals and “play their role in saving precious lives”.

Opposition alliance Tehreek Tahahfuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) shared Senator Abbas’ post, reiterating its demand for Islamabad youth to donate blood.

“Let us move forward in this delicate moment, demonstrating the essence of humanity,” urged TTAP. “Right now, there is an urgent need for blood in various hospitals in Islamabad for injured devotees.

“Therefore, you all actively participate in this noble cause and play your part in saving precious lives.”

PTI stalwart and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser called the attack “cowardly and inhumane” in an article on

“A suicide attack on a place of worship is not only an attack on basic human values, but also an open crime against humanity,” Qaiser said.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram condemned the attack, calling it not only an act of terror but “an attack on our common humanity, our religion and the conscience of Pakistan itself.”

“No belief, no grievance, no ideology can ever justify the killing of innocent Muslims, especially in a sacred place meant for prayer, dignity and peace,” he said in a post on X.

Expressing solidarity with the victims and those affected, Akram said Pakistan belongs to all its citizens and stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice.

“Sectarian violence is a deadly poison that fractures our society and only empowers those who want to see our nation burn,” he said. “Now is the time to unambiguously reject hatred, defend every place of worship, and stand united against extremism in all its forms.”

Adding that terrorism has no religion, nor violence any justification, Akram urged the people of Pakistan to “choose peace, firmly, finally and together”.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq condemned the attack in a statement, calling the “despicable act of the suicide bomber belonging to Fitna al Hindustan a cowardly act.”

Offering condolences to the victims, he added: “A terrorist attack against innocent and defenseless worshipers is a cowardly act, and no amount of condemnation is enough. »

Sadiq denounced the terrorists as “enemies of humanity”, saying they have no connection with any religion.

“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan will never succeed in their dirty designs,” the statement said.

“The cowardly actions of the Fitna al Hindustan terrorists can never shake the resolve of the security forces and the nation in the fight against terrorism.”