Deadly blast: Government, opposition condemn Quetta blast

Shahbaz Sharif says nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorists has strengthened

MULTAN/ LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana and opposition leaders strongly condemned the suicide blast at the Civil Hospital Quetta on Monday.

Shahbaz Sharif expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of human lives in the attack. The chief minister expressed sympathy and condolence with the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

“The spilling of blood of innocent people in a hospital shows that these barbarians have nothing to do with Islam or Pakistan. We denounce them,” he said. The chief minister said that perpetrators of the brutal act would be hunted down.

“Our hearts weep for the blood spilt in Quetta, but our resolve to fight terrorism is stronger than ever. We shall not rest until these terrorists are eliminated,” he said. The chief minister said that such cowardly acts could not weaken the resolve of the nation. “Those targeting innocent people deserve no leniency. The attack on innocent people is a cowardly act. The martyrdom of innocent people in the terrorist attack is a tragedy. The Punjab government fully shares the grief of the affected families,” he said.

He said that those who planned and facilitated the blast would not escape justice and would have to face punishment. “Terrorists and their facilitators will face punishment in this world and the hereafter,” he said.

The chief minister also condemned the murder of Bilal Anwar Kasi, the Balochistan Bar Association president. In a condolence message, the chief minister prayed for the departed soul.

Governor

“Protecting the life and property of the people is the top priority of the government,” said Governor Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana. He was presiding over a meeting at Circuit House Multan on Monday regarding law and order. Rajwana also condemned the Quetta blast.

Opposition

The opposition in the Provincial Assembly strongly condemned the Quetta suicide attack on Monday. They demanded that terrorists behind the deadly attack be brought to justice. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) also submitted condemnation resolutions in the assembly secretariat over the tragic incident. The resolutions were submitted by Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Sardar Vickas Hassan Mokal and Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar.

The resolutions called upon the government to take immediate steps to bring an end to terrorism. The resolutions also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and offered condolences. The lawmakers urged the government to take all steps needed to ensure peace and maintain law and order.

Rasheed said that his party would fully cooperate with the government in dealing with the menace of terrorism. “The PTI stands with the government and the armed forces in the fight against terrorism,” he said. He said that the security forces should take action against terrorists and their facilitators. “Such attacks will only strengthen the resolve of the people and the government in eliminating terrorism,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2016.