Church attack: I'm at a loss for words, says Chaudhry Nisar

Interior minister commends the Christian community for showing restraint.


Riffat Rashid September 23, 2013
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday that routine condemnation of the terrorist attacks could not apply to the All Saints Church attack. He said he was at a loss for words.

Speaking at the National Assembly the interior minister said, "...but condemnations have to be made. People need to exercise restraint. We have to pacify ourselves."

Over 80 people were killed and 150 others injured in the twin suicide bombing that took place outside the All Saints church after Sunday mass came to an end. The bombing is believed to be the country’s deadliest attack on Christians.

No one has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Asserting that four security personnel were present on the site of the blast, Nisar said the federal government is working on a plan to ensure security at the religious sites across the country.

The interior minister added that the federal government has offered the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to bear the cost of reconstructing the religious site.

"The federal government will also bear the cost for providing rehabilitation to the people who are currently being treated," he said.

Commending the restraint that the Christian community showed following the attack, the interior minister said, "bishops, priests, father and community elders who showed patience have provided an exemplary lesson for the entire nation."

"When people had gathered around Lady Reading Hospital to protest, it was the community elders who asked them to restrain themselves," he said, adding that this should serve as a lesson for every Pakistani.

COMMENTS (36)

lkhan | 11 years ago | Reply

While politicians dither, the taliban will prepare for yet another brutal bombing. We must not forget all the thousands of lives lost, the thousands of families future ruined, the loss of resources, the risk our police force faces daily, the loss to our GDP and a long etc. Yet the powers that be have not seen light. Citizens are demanding action against all terrorists, why can politicians not see our nation is being destroyed with demagogic hatred and intolerance. Please Choudry Nisar, do not consider words, rhetoric will get us nowhere. Serious action by our armed forces as applied in Swat is imperative to put the country on the path of peaceful times once again. The only language these terrorists understand is the one they use, unfortunately it is violence. Peace talks will not work unless they unarm first as was the case of the IRA. Spain was not successful with its peace talks as an ETA wing refused to disarm. It successfully pursued and jailed all ETA leaders and many members, dismembering their organisation.

sars | 11 years ago | Reply

no words eh? what are you going to use for dialogue ? sign language?

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ