October 22, 2007	Monday	Shawwal 9, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Oct 21: The business community, political parties and international organisations have condemned the recent terrorist attack on the rally of Pakistan People’s Party in Karachi saying that acts of terror would affect economic development of the country.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) during a meeting, held here on Sunday under the chairmanship of acting RCCI President Kashif Shabir, expressed grief over the loss of human lives and condoled with the bereaved families.

It urged the government to speed up efforts for arresting the culprits and said that terrorists had no religion, and they should be dealt harshly.

Mr Shabir said people were facing multiple problems specially basic amenities and the country would not witness any economic change if the terrorists continued to attack innocent citizens.

“Terrorist attacks discourage foreign investment and badly affect economic development of the country,” he said, adding that traders were vulnerable to be affected by the bomb blasts.

PTI: The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) has termed the attack a brutal attempt to discourage political activities in the country.

“We strongly condemn this act of terrorism that was aimed at limiting the scope of democratic culture and discourage political activities in the country,” PTI Punjab chapter chief Ahsan Rashid said.

He said such acts could restrain people from participating in public meetings because “every one will give a second thought on whether or not to attend any public meeting where risk to life is always on the cards”.

PBP: The Pakistan Brohi Party (PBP) Secretary-General Imam Ali Baruai said that the attack on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was a great threat to the integrity of Pakistan.

SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL: During a telephonic call to PPP chief Benazir Bhutto, President Socialist International Georgios Andreas Papandreoi has expressed sympathy over the loss of innocent lives in Karachi.