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| July 9, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-us-Sani 1, 1426 |
London bombings condemned
ISLAMABAD, July 8: Chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto has condemned the terror bombings in London on Thursday which left 40 people dead and hundreds more injured. She said the PPP strongly condemned the indiscriminate acts of terror perpetrated in London in which innocent civilians became victims of terrorism. She said the PPP stood firm alongside the people of London who reacted calmly and courageously in the face of these acts of barbarism, demonstrating that the values of freedom, tolerance and humanity shared by citizens from London to Islamabad and all other cities of the world, could not be destroyed, contrary to the designs of those behind these attacks.
She conveyed the PPP’s sympathy and condolences to all those who were affected by these terrorist acts, and solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom and the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair, leader of the British Labour Party.
She said Islam forbids the killing of innocents and particularly of women, children and old people. She said the Muslim world in particular was doubly pained by the terrorists’ attacks as those carrying them out claimed affiliation with Islam. These attacks, she said, would be used by bigots to further fuel suspicion against the Muslim community.
The former PM urged the civilized world must join hands in fight against terror and not allow the London bombings weaken their resolve to fight and eradicate terrorism in all its manifestations.
Ms Bhutto said that by perpetrating this gruesome and barbaric act the terrorists had not only killed innocent people but also compounded the woes of the peaceful travellers who would now have to face the consequences of a heightened terror alert throughout the world.
The London attacks are attacks on humanity and must be condemned by all people, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or nationality, she said. At the same time instead of weakening it must strengthen the resolve of humanity to root out the scourge of terrorism, she said.
Ms Bhutto also condoled with the bereaved families and sympathised with the government and people of Britain.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) Chairman MNA Riaz Fatyana has expressed concern over the terrorist attacks in London and said terrorism in any form and manifestation is condemnable.
Calling it an act of cowardice, he said: “Not only Islam, but no religion of the world permits killing innocent civilians in the name of religion.”
He said those involved in the London bombing attacks must be punished severely. Islam is a religion of peace that teaches liberal attitude towards other religions, he said.
PCHR Executive Director MNA Kashmala Tariq MNA, while criticizing the bombings, said the terrorist act was an attempt by a handful of people to stigmatize the peace-loving religion of Islam. She called the killing of innocent people an unrecoverable loss and expressed her sympathy with the bereaved families.
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