Govt, Imran, Fazl offer condolences over KU blast

Three Chinese teachers were killed in a suicide attack carried out by a burqa-clad woman

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government as well as former officials on Friday paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy to express sorrow, solidarity and support following the suicide attack at Karachi University in which three Chinese teachers were killed.

On April 26 (Tuesday), four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed and four others injured in a suicide attack carried out by a burqa-clad woman outside the Confucius Institute in KU premises.

From the incumbent government’s side, Senator Mushahid Hussain led a delegation of Senate Defence Committee to the Chinese Embassy. While former prime minister Imran Khan and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also visited the Chinese Embassy separately and offered their condolences.

The government delegation included Senators Mushtaq Ahmed, Faisal Javed, Anwarul Haq Kakar and Dr Zarqa Suharwardy. DefCom Secretary Major (retd) Hasnain Haider was also present.

The delegation was received by the Acting Ambassador, Chinese Chargé d'affaires Pang Chunxue and her senior colleagues, a statement said.

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Senator Mushahid said the delegation was visiting the embassy with a heavy heart as this was the third act of terror against the Chinese in Pakistan within a year. And that the Chinese teachers were targeted was quite shameful.

He said all political parties in parliament shared these sentiments as “China is Pakistan's paramount partner and strongest friend, a friendship that has widespread support from the people of Pakistan”. The senator expressed regret that “our security system has failed, both, in protecting the Chinese working in Pakistan and in preventing recurrence of such acts of terror'.

He said, “A comprehensive review and rethink of such a faulty system is needed, if we want CPEC to move forward successfully.”

He said such a breach of security was unacceptable for a country like Pakistan whose armed forces successfully overcame an inland war against terrorism. “We fully share your sorrow, we fully share your indignation and we fully share your concerns about this serious security lapse, which, if allowed to recur, can result in drying up of foreign investment.”

The acting Chinese ambassador profusely thanked the senators for their gesture. Incidentally, this was the first visit by a Parliamentary Committee to the Chinese Embassy since the terror strike in Karachi.

Further, PTI Chairman Imran met the acting ambassador and offered his condolences on the Karachi University van blast.
According to details, the former prime minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the incident.

The PTI chairman said, “I am equally grieving over the deceased as their families.”

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The former PM also stated that the relation of Pakistan and China and their partnership “is what our enemies cannot bear”.

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman offered his condolences to the Chinese authorities over the Karachi tragedy during his meeting with Acting Ambassador Chunxue at the embassy.

Fazl recorded his impressions in the guest book. “Pakistan-China friendship will not be affected by such cowardly incidents,” he said, adding that the whole Pakistani nation stood with the members of the families of the deceased Chinese in this hour of grief.

 

(With input from APP)