Church attack: I'm at a loss for words, says Chaudhry Nisar
Interior minister commends the Christian community for showing restraint.
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.
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.