UN chief condemns 'escalating' violence in Pakistan

Ban Ki-Moon appalled by killings of Shia pilgrims, kidnapped tribal policemen.


Afp December 31, 2012

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said Sunday he was "appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan," after 19 Shia pilgrims died in a car bomb and 21 kidnapped soldiers were killed.

Ban "condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities," according to a statement from his spokesman, Martin Nesirky.

He "also strongly condemns the killing of 21 members of a government-backed tribal police force," kidnapped this week after near Peshawar.

"These cruel acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause or grievance," the statement emphasised, saying the perpetrators "should be brought to justice."

Ban assured Pakistan's government and its people of "the solidarity of the United Nations" as well as of "its continued support for their efforts to defend their country's institutions and freedoms in the face of the scourge of terrorism."

A remotely-triggered car bomb in Mastung hit a convoy of three buses carrying about 180 Shia pilgrims to Iran, killing at least 19 of them and wounding 25 others.

It was one of the deadliest attacks this year against Shias, who make up about 20 percent of the population of Pakistan.

In K-P, security forces were hunting the killers of 21 security personnel whose bodies were discovered not far from two camps outside Peshawar where they had been kidnapped by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

COMMENTS (7)

Waqar | 11 years ago | Reply

@Waqar: Replace my words " i m in against of shia,," to " i m in against of shia killing,,"

Sultan Ahmed | 11 years ago | Reply

At last, United Nations has opened its eyes.That is good omen the situation in Pakistan,Afghanistan and other areas like Kashmire needs global action for peace.United Nations should move farward and play its crucial role,it has global authority in this connection under the global law enacted by the all members states

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