KARACHI: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, has expressed ‘shock and sadness’ at the attack on members of the Ismaili community in Karachi, terming it a senseless act of violence.
“This attack represents a senseless act of violence against a peaceful community. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and wounded in the attack,” he said in a statement issued from Gouvieux, France, on Wednesday.
The Aga Khan noted that the Ismailis are a peaceful global community living in harmony with other religious and ethnic groups in many countries across the world, including the Muslim world.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Karachi attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called on Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of this ‘despicable act’.
He urged the Pakistan government to take swift measures aimed at effective protection of minorities in the country, a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The UN chief extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, army chief General Raheel Sharif called up Prince Karim Aga Khan to offer heartfelt condolences over the deadly attack. “Our heart goes out for the bereaved families,” he said according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, the ISPR.
“No efforts will be spared to apprehend and punish perpetrators of this terrorist act, their abettors and backers,” Gen Raheel assured the Aga Khan.
Pakistani politicians also joined the course of condemnation. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari denounced what they called ‘the worst’ terrorist attack in Karachi.
“The brazen attack in the city centre seems to be an open challenge to the society as a whole and the law-enforcing agencies in particular,” they said in a statement issued from Bilawal House, Karachi. They also sympathised with the victims and urged for stern action against the terrorists.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed his grief over the loss of innocent lives. “It is heart wrenching and saddening to know innocent civilians have been killed in Karachi,” he said in a statement.
“I’m stunned and grieved at the most condemnable terror attack in Karachi on citizens belonging to a most peaceful community,” he said and demanded an immediate investigation into the incident.
ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan also expressed heartfelt grief over the loss of precious lives. In a statement issued from the ANP Secretariat, he said those killing innocent people did not deserve to be called humans and in fact they have no religion or religious ideology. “Faces of anti-state elements have now been exposed to the nation,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2015.
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