Leaders blast atrocity

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Pakistan Air Force base in Badhaber on Friday and expressed the resolve to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.

Expressing deep grief over the martyrdom of security personnel at the airbase, he said the nation had rendered numerous sacrifices for the protection of the motherland.

He also expressed sorrow over the killing of worshippers by terrorists at a mosque within the base and termed it an “inhuman act”.

Hours after the attack, PM Nawaz flew into Peshawar to inquire about the brazen attack and attend the funeral prayers of the martyred soldiers. He was briefed by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidyatur Rehman about the operation conducted against terrorists after the attack on PAF base.

The premier later met the father of Captain Asfandyar Ahmad Bokhari, who died while fighting against terrorists at the PAF base. He expressed his condolences with the bereaved father and offered fateha for the departed soul.

In his statement, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid also condemned the terrorist attack, saying the whole nation was united and determined to root out the scourge of terrorism from the country. “Terrorists cannot undermine our resolve by carrying out cowardly acts of terrorism,” he wrote.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan while strongly condemning the terrorist attack praised the swift actions of the quick response force in averting a massive tragedy.

“Salute [the] bravery of Captain Asfandyar who led his troops to defeat terrorists’ plans and embraced martyrdom,” the PTI chief posted on Twitter. He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said such cowardly attacks could not dent the determination of the nation.

Chairing the Senate proceedings, he reiterated the nation’s resolve to continue the mission of eliminating terrorism for which the country had rendered so many sacrifices.

He expressed sympathies with the families of the martyrs of law enforcement agencies, who sacrificed their lives while fighting the terrorists at the PAF base.

Former president Asif Zardari also denounced the terror attack near Peshawar as barbaric, cowardly and inhuman.

He said the terrorists could not weaken the Pakistani nation’s resolve by such attacks. The people would continue to fight the menace of terrorism and extremism until the last terrorist was eliminated, he believed.

Outgoing US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Badhaber, and expressed sympathies and condolences with the families of the victims. “The US will continue to work closely with Pakistan to secure peace and stability in the country and in the region,” he wrote in a statement.


Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2015.