Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan spoke of the violence in Egypt during a session of the National Assembly. PHOTO: FILE
CAIRO: Pakistan has condemned the use of force by Egyptian security forces against unarmed civilians which resulted in the killings of innocent lives in Cairo and other cities.
A statement issued here today by the foreign ministry described the August 14 bloodshed as ‘major setback for Egypt’s return to democracy.
“As a friend and a well- wisher of the people of Egypt, Pakistan is closely observing developments in that country and urges all parties to exercise restraint and to respect the fundamental rights of the fraternal people of that great country,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressed concern for the people killed during clashes in Egypt and urged for all of Pakistan to condemn the violence during a National Assembly Session.
Egyptians emerged Thursday from an all-night curfew imposed after the worst violence since their 2011 uprising, with 343 people killed as security forces broke up protests supporting ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
The army-backed interim government imposed a month-long nationwide state of emergency, and curfews in Cairo and 13 other provinces.
Shortly after the curfew ended on Thursday morning, light traffic began returning to Cairo's streets, with roads blocked for weeks by the pro-Morsi protests now reopened.
A health ministry official said at least 300 civilians had been killed throughout the country, updating an earlier toll. The interior ministry added that 43 security personnel had lost their lives.
Egypt's press carried photos Thursday of Morsi supporters brandishing weapons and throwing stones at police during the previous day's confrontations.
"The nightmare of the Brotherhood is gone," daily Al-Akhbar's front page headline read.
"The Brotherhood's last battle," added Al-Shorouk.
At least four churches were attacked, with Christian activists accusing Morsi loyalists of waging "a war of retaliation against Copts in Egypt".
The day's violence was the worst since the 2011 uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak, with an AFP correspondent counting at least 124 bodies in makeshift morgues in the Rabaa al-Adawiya protest site.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood spoke of 2,200 dead overall and more than 10,000 wounded.
COMMENTS (24)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
where is the condemnation of TTP?
43 police officers have been killed in action. No mention of that by mainstream media in general.
Muslim Brotherhood has burnt down numerous churches all over Egypt but Muslim Brotherhood supporters here and elsewhere have no problem with that. Mainstream media is bit mute on this but one can easily find reports and pictures etc online.
One of the allegations by Army for booting out Morsi's govt. was 6 killed during anti Morsi demonstration. What do they have to say now... The puppet El Baradi has resigned...
Guess the powers liberating the world want democracy at their own vested terms... The democracy in Syria and Egypt is not acceptable if its lead by religious parties!
I think Pakistan has done good by voicing for the crushed ppl of Egypt and Syria.
@abc:
OIC is run by Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia is behind current Egyptian government that is why even political religious parties in Pakistan are not raising their voice except for some mild condemnation.
OIC conference must be held on emergency basis and the membership of the egypt should be suspended indefinitely. UN must act fast to stop this massacre. Shame on those who remain silent and it will come to haunt them as well.
Muslim Brotherhood has burned down numerous churches what about that? Where is the condemnation for it? Church burning Muslim Brotherhood deserves what is coming to them. No sympathy for these extremists.
on the other hand Egyptians say that '' We don't want to become Pakistan ''. We always look straight without noticing what is happening behind us. Let us first bring our house in order before pocking our noses in others affairs. Egyptians are more literate than us and know what is good and what is bad for their country which we fail to understand.
Pakistan needs to follow international protocol and that is not to interfere or comment on another country's internal affairs. The minister would certainly not want foreign countries to comment on humongous issues in Pakistan.
Which other Muslim countries have condemned in their parliament ,the violence in Egypt. KSA, Turkey, Qatar or Yemen??? Pakistan's move is to appease the religious populace and parties.
Shouldn't a foreign minister be making this statement?
@afzaal khan: No it all really sound like an attempt at escaping the reality that stares you straight in your eyes, instead of taking up the challenge of cleansing our own society of all sorts of violence we seem to worry about the rest of the world. Hypocrisy, isn't it?
What about problem of energy and flood in pakistan
Egyptian army killed over 800 innocent civilians so far, no problems, why these lives are so less important for us humans??
@Uza Syed: Usually I like your comments. But here have to disagree - what is happening in Egypt is really, really atrocious. And government of Pakistan, given its history of military dictatorships, has done well to condemn the violence against civilians.
That's not reforming the world... that's solidarity with thousands of people who have lost their lives fighting against a military dictator. Something we Pakistanis can so easily relate with. A good diplomatic response despite the fact that two of our strongest allies i.e. USA and KSA are supporting the barbaric military regime and they want Pakistan to do the same.
Very good stance. Lets put Pakistan on the record as being on the right side of history here.
Chaudhry Nisar should first take charge of the situation in Pakistan. He should not interfere in other countries. They have the potential to look after themselves.
"Condemn violence"!!. It should be "Condemn massacre"
Appreciate the condemnation, but doesn't this fall under the work of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not Ministry of Interior?
@roadkashehzada
By your logic we would have nothing to do with anything in world. No country lives in isolation and raising voice against injustice is a duty of every human being
When you can't do anything at home...........you start to reform the world.
Chaudhry Saab, please! I mean everyone can guess that you do read a bit about what's going on there in Egypt, but how about waking up and listen to what's going on right here. Must it happen where it might hurt most personally? Let's be good citizens here and let's get rid of the violence here at home and then there will be times to be worrying about the rest of the world.
come on sir, we have nothing to do with egypt. you have important domestic stuff to take care. lets focus on pakistan and let middle east desk of foreign office to issue a statement on egypt.