Political leaders unite in grief, rage

ISLAMABAD:

A rare and somber consensus emerged across the divided political spectrum on Friday as leaders condemned the suicide blast at Masjid Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, an attack that hit worshipers at prayer, killing dozens and wounding many more.

From federal leaders to provincial heads, statements poured in expressing grief, outrage and determination, with calls for swift justice, stronger counter-terrorism measures and national unity against extremism and sectarian violence.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack as an attack on humanity, faith and national conscience. He demanded an immediate and transparent investigation and called on the government to bring both the perpetrators and their facilitators to justice.

Bilawal also called for effective measures to protect places of worship across the country. He expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured and stressed the need for national unity against hatred, extremism and terrorism.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that a terrorist attack in Islamabad, after incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, showed that no part of the country was safe.

He described the blast as a failure of law enforcement agencies and urged the authorities concerned to focus on law and order, public safety and protection of citizens’ lives and property, free from political interference.

Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas termed the blast as a brutal and cowardly attack, expressing heartbreak over the loss of innocent lives. He condemned the targeting of places of worship as a direct attack on humanity, faith and social values.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, expressed deep grief over the tragedy and called the blast a heinous conspiracy to sabotage national peace. He urged law enforcement agencies to intensify operations against terrorists.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident and extended “prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi termed the attack “a cowardly and inhumane crime” and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.

“The suicide attack in a place of worship is the worst example of enmity against humanity,” he said. “The provincial government also shares the grief of the bereaved families.”

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the bombing, noting that the people of his province “were not unfamiliar with this grief [and] know how deep the wounds of terrorism are”.

“I express my deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said: “Targeting a place of worship and innocent worshipers is an attack on our faith, our values ​​and our common humanity.”

He expressed his grief and emphasized that the people of KP stood with the bereaved.

“This heinous act is part of a nefarious conspiracy by Fitna al Khawarij, operating under Indian patronage, to spread fear and destabilize our homeland,” the governor said.

“The people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces against any anti-state element. We will defeat this menace with unity, courage and unwavering determination and take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.”

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman stated that the attack was “totally reprehensible” and “elements of a long line of proxy terror plans orchestrated by India”.

“This path was actually formulated by several strategists in India after they took a beating from Pakistan in Marka-i-Haq,” she said in a social media post, referring to Pakistan’s victory over India in a brief war last May.

In a post on X, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said targeting worshipers gathered for prayers was “a cowardly and inhumane act” and expressed heartfelt sorrow for the victims and their families.

“No words strong enough to condemn the terrible explosion,” she said.

In a statement issued by its Central Information Department, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the “horrific suicide bombing” in Islamabad.

“Targeting a place of worship is an extremely cowardly and inhumane act which reflects the ferocity of terrorists and is a reprehensible conspiracy to harm the peace of Pakistan,” the statement read.

“PTI fully condemns terrorism and all elements behind it and demands that the terrorists involved in this heinous crime and their facilitators be brought to justice immediately.”

The party also extended prayers for those killed in the blast and demanded that the relevant authorities provide the best possible medical care to the injured immediately.

“To eradicate this growing scourge of terrorism, the entire nation must stand united so that peace, tolerance and stability in Pakistan can be ensured,” PTI said.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the blast in a post on X and condoled with the victims and their families.

“Now is the time for every terrorist, wherever they may be, to meet their end in the depths of hell – I hope that God willing, with the cooperation of all of us, our provincial and national institutions will succeed in this war,” he said.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas expressed deep grief over the loss of life in the incident.

“Such an incident of terrorism in the federal capital is not only a proof of the grave failure to protect human lives, but it is also a big question mark on the performance of the administration and law enforcement agencies,” he said in a post on X.

Abbas strongly condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“Targeting places of worship is a direct attack on humanity, religion and social values ​​which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

He also appealed to the youth of Islamabad to donate blood in hospitals and “play their role in saving precious lives”.

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahahfuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) shared Senator Abbas’s post and echoed his request to Islamabad’s youth to donate blood.

“Step forward in this delicate moment and demonstrate the essence of humanity,” urged TTAP. “At this time, there is an urgent need for blood in various hospitals in Islamabad for the injured worshippers.

“Hence, you all are actively participating in this noble cause and playing your part in saving precious lives.”

PTI stalwart and former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser termed the attack “cowardly and inhumane” in a post on X and said targeting a place of worship “reflects the worst form of enmity against humanity and a cowardly mindset”.

“A suicide attack on a place of worship is not only an attack on basic human values, but also an open crime against humanity,” Qaiser said.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram condemned the attack, calling it not just an act of terrorism but “an attack on our common humanity, our religion and the conscience of Pakistan”.

“No faith, no grievance, no ideology can ever justify the killing of innocent Muslims, especially in a holy place meant for prayer, dignity and peace,” he said in a post on X.

Expressing solidarity with the victims and those affected, Akram said that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens and stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice.

“Sectarian violence is a deadly poison that fractures our society and empowers only those who want to see our nation burn,” he argued. “This is the time to reject hate without ambiguity, to defend every place of worship and to stand united against extremism in all its forms.”

Adding that terrorism has no religion or violence any justification, Akram urged the people of Pakistan to “choose peace, firm, final and together”.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq condemned the attack in a statement, calling the “despicable act of the suicide bomber belonging to Fitna al Hindustan an act of cowardice”.

He offered his condolences to the victims, adding: “A terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshipers is a cowardly act and no amount of condemnation is enough.”

Sadiq condemned terrorists as “enemies of humanity” and claimed that they have no connection with any religion.

“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan will never succeed in their dirty designs,” the statement read.

“The cowardly acts of the terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan can never shake the resolve of the security forces and the nation in the fight against terrorism.”