WASHINGTON, Oct 19: World leaders on Friday condemned the suicide bombing targeting former premier Benazir Bhutto, saying it served as an urgent reminder of the need for a concerted global response to terrorism.
China, the United Nations and the European Union denounced the bombing, which came just hours after Ms Bhutto had returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile.
Australia, a close US ally in war against terror, said the attack bore the hallmarks of Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network.
“It is a reminder of the evil of Al Qaeda. It is a reminder of how important it is not to concede a victory to them in Iraq or in Afghanistan,” Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.
China, one of Pakistan’s closest allies, urged Islamabad to “maintain social stability” in the wake of the explosion.
Another close ally, Turkey, urged closer international cooperation against terrorism.
“The Turkish people, who believe in the bright future of Pakistan, stand beside the Pakistani people... and share their pain,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai said the bombing against his Pakistani “brothers and sisters” underlined the importance of a united response to terrorism.
“This proves that once again Afghanistan and Pakistan and our international friends must focus the strongest attention in the war against terrorism,” Karzai told newsmen.
Afghanistan has seen about 120 suicide bombings this year, violence, Karzai says is being largely orchestrated by the Taliban and other extremist groups based in remote tribal areas of Pakistan where militants are supported by Islamist radicals.
His claims have angered Islamabad, which says Kabul should take more responsibility for the violence.
Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer descried this “horrible attack” while stressing that Pakistanis’ democratic aspirations “should not be dimmed by terrorists.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked.
“The secretary-general strongly condemns this terrorist attack and ... trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity,” a statement said.
The European Union presidency also condemned the “terrorist attack” and urged the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to victims’ families and urged Pakistani authorities “to ensure that the process ahead of legislative elections is conducted in the best possible circumstances.”
Japan’s foreign ministry offered its “deepest sympathies” while pledging to “continue to fight against terrorism in cooperation with the international community,” a statement said.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin sent Musharraf a telegram saying the attack was a “vile crime” and confirmation of the need for a global response.
Italy denounced a “reprehensible act of violence” and Spain a “brutal terrorist attack,” with both echoing Putin’s call for a greater cooperation.
“They can only strengthen the desire of ... the international community to combat and isolate any form of terrorism,” Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema said.—AFP
Latafat Ali Siddiqi adds from Ottawa: Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier condemned the bombing as “an appalling act of violence and said such devastating attacks strike at the heart of a nation and undermine attempts by the government and the people of Pakistan to work for a democratic and just society.
In a press statement issued here on Friday, Bernier said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the scores of innocent people who are suffering from this appalling act of violence.”
He urged all parties in Pakistan to adhere to the rule of law and to continue to build conditions for free and fair parliamentary elections.
Wajid Khan, Prime Minister’s adviser on Middle East and South Asian Affairs, also condemned the act of violence in Karachi.
In a statement sent to Dawn, he said the explosions occurred at a time when Pakistan was gearing up for election.
Wajid, a Canadian of Pakistani-origin, said the need of the hour is to strengthen democratic system in Pakistan.
