Condemnations from all over the world started pouring in the moment the heart-wrenching news of Peshawar school attack went viral on Tuesday morning.
President Barack Obama condemned the deadly Taliban raid and promised that the United States would stand by the country in its struggle against violent extremism.
“By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists have once again shown their depravity,” he said.
Expressing his solidarity with the Pakistani nation President Obama also maintained that “We stand with the people of Pakistan, and reiterate the commitment of the United States to support the government of Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly criticised the brutal incident and said, “It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children while they learn,” and adding that the hearts of the world go out to the parents and families who have lost loved ones.
The UN rights chief condemned the “savage extremism” of Taliban insurgents who killed at least 130 people, most of them children, at a school in Pakistan on Tuesday.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein noted: “The Taliban have sunk to an all-time depth with this attack... Everyone must now unite to combat this type of savage extremism.”
Nuclear-armed neighbour India criticised the brutal terrorist attack without reservation. There was no attempt to score any diplomatic points in its statement. Indian parliament also condemned the Peshawar violence.
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted: “The world community must unite and redouble efforts to root out terror from every country and society.”
Expressing his sorrow over the Peshawar carnage, Indian Premier Narendra Modi said in his tweet: “My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones today [Tuesday]. We share their pain and offer our deepest condolences.”
Sushma Swaraj, India’s external affairs minister, announced through her tweeter account: “In view of the massacre of innocent children in Pakistan, tonight’s [Tuesday] dinner hosted by me for Members of Parliament is hereby cancelled.”
Pakistan’s all weather friend China deplored the Tuesday massacre and stated in a statement: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident, and condemn in the strongest terms on the terrorist attack. China expresses profound condolences to the deceased and sincere sympathy to the injured and families of the deceased.”
The statement further said: “China opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to render firm support to the government and people of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and its unremitting efforts in maintaining national stability and safeguarding security of the people.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and conveyed their condolences over the loss of lives in Tuesday’s attack.
Expressing his resolve to work together with Pakistan to eliminate terrorism from the region, Afghan president affirmed that “This is the day of mourning for the Afghan nation as well. We will fight together to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan and stability will be brought to this region.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called PM Nawaz and condemned the terror attack, and expressed his solidarity with Pakistani nation.
“We convey our condolences to the families of innocent kids and people,” President Erdogan said.
In a statement the French president stated: “There is no word to qualify the infamy of such an attack against children in their school. France stands in solidarity with the victims and their parents. The government of Pakistan is assured of France’s support in the fight against terrorism.”
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated: “The hostage-taking and murder of children exceeds in its cruel cowardice all that Pakistan, stricken by years of terror and violence, has known before.”
The Afghan Taliban too issued a rare statement condemning the attack. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is shocked at the incident and shares the pain of the families of the children who died in the attack,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
“The intentional killing of the innocent people, children and the women is contrary to Islamic injunctions and every Muslim, group and government must keep this in mind,” he added.
Malala Yousafzai, an education-campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize winner, said in a statement: “I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this.”
Malala’s co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Kailash Sathyarthi also deplored the attack in his tweet: “#Pakistan government must take all possible steps to protect children & schools from violence.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2014.
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