Prime Minister Shehbaz announces compensation to families of martyrs, injured in suicide attacks in Islamabad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra in Tarlai on Wednesday. He met the administration of the mosque, the families of the martyrs and announced financial assistance to those affected by the suicide attack.

At least 36 people were killed and around 169 injured when a suicide bomber struck Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on Friday. The explosion, followed by several explosions and gunfire, occurred as worshipers gathered for Juma’a prayers.

The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the most devastating nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.

Read more: Bomber identified as Peshawar resident ‘trained in Afghanistan’

During his visit to Imambargah, the Prime Minister announced Rs10 million for Shaheed Oun Abbas who resisted the suicide bomber and lost his life, Rs5 million for each martyr, Rs3 million for seriously injured and Rs1 million for individuals who sustained minor injuries. “There can be no compensation for the precious lives lost in this terror attack,” Shehbaz said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz met the bereaved families and survivors. Addressing the affected families, he said the entire nation mourned the tragic loss of life, which included both the elderly and children.

He described the attack as the “worst kind of barbaric act” and strongly condemned it, stating that the more it was condemned, the less it would become. He also praised religious leaders and ulema for their solidarity which has always helped to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemies.

“Shaheed Oun Abbas, who sacrificed his life in his duty, will be remembered with golden words,” Shehbaz said, stressing that such sacrifices in the fight against terrorism would not be in vain. He added that the attack’s attempt to sow division in society had failed.

The prime minister also praised the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and police for their relentless fight against terrorism, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, where they have made significant sacrifices. He called for complete elimination of terrorism from the country.

The premier offered Fateha and prayed for Shuhadaa. He also prayed for the immediate recovery of those injured in the horrific incident. Later he also paid a visit to the residence of Shaheed Oun Abbas to give Fateha and condolence.

Federal ministers, police and district administration officials accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit and briefed him about the details of the incident.

A day after the blast, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the mastermind behind the attack on an Islamabad imambargah was in custody.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after a high-level security meeting, the interior minister confirmed the arrests and said one policeman had been martyred while three were injured. Describing Friday as a “black day” for the country, Naqvi gave updates on the investigation and arrests.

“After the blast, all our agencies took the lead. Operations continued overnight. Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police arrested almost all persons linked to the attack or the masterminds behind it,” he said.

Read also: Daesh-linked Afghan mastermind behind Islamabad imambargah attack in custody

He lauded the efforts of CTD and KP police to reach and apprehend the culprits.

“Immediately after the blast, a raid was conducted in Nowshera and Peshawar and four facilitators were arrested. The ISIS mastermind, an Afghan national, was also caught. During the raid, an assistant sub-inspector of KP police was martyred. The mastermind linked to ISIS is in our custody,” Naq said.