CM seeks report from IGP on suicide attacks

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought a report from Inspector General of Police about the twin suicide attacks on two churches in Youhanabad on Sunday.

He also directed the officials concerned to provide the best treatment facilities possible to the injured.

“The government shares the grief of the families of the deceased. The attack is highly condemnable. The terrorists have once again shown their barbarity by targeting innocent citizens. The government will spare no effort to apprehend those responsible for this attack. They will not escape justice,” he said.

He said that the nation was determined to root out terrorists. “The cowardly acts of these enemies of peace cannot shake the resolve of 180 million people of the country in the war against terrorism,” he said. He expressed grief over the loss of lives, including those of police officials. He announced financial assistance of Rs500,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs75,000 each for the injured.

Government spokesman Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri also condemned the attacks. “The policemen saved others by sacrificing their own lives and prevented a greater devastation. The government is alert and the state institutions are performing their responsibilities. The terrorist will be rooted out from the country at all costs. Had the attackers entered the church, the loss would have been far greater,” he said.

“Terrorism will have to be eliminated. Taking law in your own hands and burning suspects is wrong,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2015.