LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack on churches in Youhanabad and said it is an attack on the state of Pakistan.

In a message to the Christian community, the premier expressed grief over the loss of lives.

“The government considers this unfortunate incident as an attack on the state of Pakistan. Our Christian community has rendered invaluable services to the motherland particularly in the social sector and we consider them our honour and pride,” he said.

Extending his condolences to the bereaved families who lost their dear ones in the incident, the prime minister said the government would work with them to find answers to their questions. He reiterated the government’s resolve to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.

He asked all provincial governments to beef up security and take all possible measures to safeguard life and property of the people. He also sought reports on the incident and directed the authorities concerned to provide best medical facilities to the injured.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur said the attackers had no moral fibre and attacking worshippers displayed cowardice of the terrorists. Targeting innocent people was the most callous, heinous and barbaric act, they said. Zardari prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families.

POLITICIANS: Political parties across the board condemned the attack and demanded the government bring to justice those responsible for this gruesome crime.

PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi expressed grief over the incident and said the government once again showed inefficiency in protecting lives of people. They said they shared the grief of victims’ families and prayed for early recovery of the injured. They said life and property of every Pakistani, including minorities, was equally important and their protection was the duty of the government. They said the government had failed in providing security to the people, especially minority communities.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and PPP leaders Yousaf Raza Gilani, Manzoor Wattoo, Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood, Navid Chaudhry, Haider Zaman Qureshi, Raja Riaz and Shaukat Basra condemned the terrorist attack.

The Majlis-i-Wahdatul

Muslimeen and Jamaat-i-Islami also condemned the attack and demanded the mastermind of the attack be brought to justice.

Punjab Home Minister retired Col Shuja Khanzada said the nation was determined to eliminate terrorism. He claimed there was no intelligence report regarding such an attack in the city.

“Despite this, security was tight and police discharged their responsibilities,” he added. The minister said the suicide attackers could not enter the churches due to resistance by security officials.

Former governor Chaudhry Sarwar visited Youhanabad and condoled with the victim families. He said it was a cowardly act and terrorists would not succeed in their nefarious designs.

PTI Punjab chapter termed the attack a continuous failure on the part of the provincial government. Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid and others said the PML-N government had failed in protecting masses from terrorists.

He said the nation was united against terrorists and sacrifices rendered by people would not go to waste. He further said the party shared the grief of the Christian families who lost their near and dear ones. He stressed the Christian community should stay peaceful and demanded the government give at least Rs2 million to the heirs of each dead and offer best treatment facilities to the injured.

PTI Punjab Minority Wing President MPA Shunila Rooth visited the Lahore General Hospital and inquired after the health of dozens of injured. She also visited the attacked churches and said the PTI grieved with the Christian community. She alleged that the Punjab government did not post policemen at churches that led to the attack.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2015

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