Pakistan

Police centre siege: Terrorist assault sparks worldwide denunciation

Washington, Tokyo, Riyadh, others extend condolences to families of victims

News Desk October 26, 2016

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who is one her maiden visit to Pakistan, condoled loss of lives in Quetta. PHOTO: PPI

Condolences started pouring in from across the world, condemning the attack on the Police Training Centre in Quetta that left at least 60 dead and over 122 injured.

The attack took place on the outskirts of the provincial capital as terrorists stormed into the New Sariab Police Training College late Monday night.

The US, in a statement, condemned the attack and assured its support to the government.

“The US condemns the terrorist attack on the police training centre in Quetta. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families, including the police cadets who are embarking on careers of public service,” US State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.

United Nations Pakistan Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Angela Kearney extended condolences to the victims’ families

“Our thoughts are with the Pakistani security forces, the victims and their families, as well as the Pakistani people,” she said adding that such attacks were inhuman and totally unjustifiable.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the terrorist attack on the police academy and stressed that terrorism was a common threat to the stability of the region and world.

Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan Abdullah Marzouk al Zahrani condemned the terrorist attack and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said attacks targeting the innocent were inexcusable. “Japan is shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks which caused numerous deaths and injuries at the police college in Quetta,” said a statement issued by the ministry.

France too recalled its commitment to support Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

Condemning the attack, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said the attack underlined the continuing threat posed by terrorism and the need for strong international cooperation in the fight against it, in Pakistan, the wider region and beyond

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who is one her maiden visit to Pakistan, condoled loss of lives in Quetta.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2016.