Attack on Karachi airport: Reactions on social media

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

A brazen attack by militants on the international airport in Karachi left 18 people dead but authorities managed to regain control of the premises. The attack had started late Sunday when gunmen disguised as airport security guards stormed the terminal after opening fire with machine guns, rockets launcher and other weapons and ammunitions. And although the authorities have wrested control of the airport, the attack on the country’s busiest airport has sent shockwaves across different quarters. Following is a collection of reactions on social media from journalists, politicians and social scientists.

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Frederick lal

Jun 09, 2014 10:58am

This is horrendous, shows complete incompetence of Pakistani government.

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sania

Jun 09, 2014 11:04am

Imran Khan needs to shup up . Biggest supporter of dialogues with Taliban, Why he cant go and negotiate with them. His name should be CRITICISM KHAN .

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muhammad

Jun 09, 2014 11:43am

Until and unless there is a soft corner for terrorists in our country espacially in Political parties and media will never let this menace eradicated completely

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Jamil

Jun 09, 2014 11:46am

Shame on Qaim Ali Shah and his government

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Sarah

Jun 09, 2014 11:53am

This is a time to stop being a political critic and instead act together. I am no pro "noon" supporter but in times like this we should stop lashing out and instead put our heads together and work this out. This attack is extremely depressing. May Allah SWT safeguard us all and give patience to the families of the deceased. Ameen!

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qamber ali

Jun 09, 2014 12:06pm

imran khan at best seems confused again

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Zia Taqdees

Jun 09, 2014 12:32pm

A crucial decision after 9/11 leave us in crucial situation. Now no way out but to join hands with open heart in fighting terrorism by scarifying until peace. 'Wo waqt bhi dekhe hain tareekh ki gharrion nae .... lamhon ne khata ki thi sadiyon ne saza paee hae"

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Goga Nalaik

Jun 09, 2014 01:08pm

High time for PTI to change its stance. You can not dialogue with these monsters. They understand only the language of guns and bombs ... What are we waiting for ...

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sabeeh omer

Jun 09, 2014 01:10pm

While the Army, ASF, Rangers and Police have succeeded in recapturing the airport it has once again proven how poorly equipped are our security forces to the meet threats posed by the Talibans. It appears we have learnt nothing from similar attacks on Mehran Base, the GHQ, and Kamra to name just a few. The time has come when we should open our eyes to reality and instead of praising our security forces bring those to task who have shown negligence, incompetence and carelessness in the face of such a brazen attack by a group of rag-tag warriors.

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n b

Jun 09, 2014 01:30pm

Great praise for Pakistan military for defeating the attack quickly.

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Syed A

Jun 09, 2014 01:42pm

Shocking! Once again demonstrates incompetence and complete failure of the Interior Ministry. Heads must roll.

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rohan

Jun 09, 2014 02:21pm

cricket will never continue if the situation is like this.worst country to live in

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imran ali

Jun 09, 2014 02:25pm

the total failure of intelligence and security failure. no accountability in Pakistan,after a few days every thing will be forgotten..

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ishrat salim

Jun 09, 2014 02:30pm

@Syed A Agree shocking Yes ! but heads rolling ! you must be joking....in our country we have history of past 65 years, no heads roll no one has the guts or morality to resign...overtime this attitude has become part of our culture...

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haris

Jun 09, 2014 02:42pm

@sania As if earlier we were successfully on course in destroying TTP by force?

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syed fayyaz ul huda

Jun 09, 2014 02:51pm

Just Now i have become a father of a little girl and i am thinking why i am still in pakistan, there is no security of life , no law and orders, if things remains same what is the future of our country, what government is doing ????? still???/

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aam aadmi

Jun 09, 2014 03:08pm

I THINK IT IS BEGINNING OF THE END

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Farooq

Jun 09, 2014 03:40pm

Incompetent leaders, combined with lack of will and corrupted hearts will only offer a dysnfunctional democracy which will be ill suited to the country's well being. The corrupt and incompetent government officials should fear the united civilians

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Anarchist

Jun 09, 2014 03:41pm

@aam aadmi End of what?

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Jun 09, 2014 03:42pm

Chaudhry Nisar should resign from his post for being a crippled minister.

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Jawaid Dilawar

Jun 09, 2014 03:51pm

I hope that our government will now openly expose the external elements involved behind this attack. NS govt. should now start playing on the front foot,

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Farooq

Jun 09, 2014 04:01pm

@Jawaid Dilawar I think you are right ! Our government should be courageous and take bold steps wisely keeping all angles considered.

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Adil Shah

Jun 09, 2014 04:09pm

@sania Imran has been advocating for dialogue with Taliban and not about no security at important installations.....when you so called educated people will differentiate between right and wrong. This government is still playing politics for their own benefit. Mr. Khan's tweet is regarding the security laps at the airport which had nothing to do with the dialogue. Remember ignorance is bliss....

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M Imran

Jun 09, 2014 04:09pm

You have no Idea how to deal these type of Insurrgents....Penetrate and segregate them ....Then fight with those who wants to fight at every cost.....thanks

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Feroz

Jun 09, 2014 04:14pm

Need to quickly find out whether it is the work of good terrorists or bad ones. Hope it is not the work of brothers and stakeholders. Wonder what was being discussed in talks between the Government and TTP -- where they could attack and where they could not or how many they would be permitted to kill in a single attack ? Where are the apologists and negotiators hiding currently ?

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salman

Jun 09, 2014 04:34pm

@sania because this is not tehreek - e - insaaf, this is and will die as tehree-e-IMRAN. they were wrong and always will be.

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salman

Jun 09, 2014 04:35pm

@syed fayyaz ul huda don't loose hope fayyaz. do not think in this manner. Allah is almighty and all governing and all knowing. do not loose faith in this land

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ahsan

Jun 09, 2014 04:37pm

I hope people start doing something about their own city rather than raising slogans for the so called quaid of the very city !!

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Rizwan

Jun 09, 2014 04:39pm

We still pay for proxy war of US ,and now US don't even care about it.

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Yawar

Jun 09, 2014 04:39pm

The dead attacker definitely looks like a foreigner but not Uzbek. Maybe Chechen. But whatever it is, the emotion that all Pakistanis need to show, especially our leaders and politicians, is not that of "shock" but rather that of "anger" against these foreign terrorists and their supporters who care little about the lives of their supposedly muslim brothers and peace and prosperity of Pakistan.

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Ajamal

Jun 09, 2014 04:40pm

@H : No sympathy with Ch. Nisar, but security of the airport is the responsible of ASF - in short "Pakistan Army". Who should resign now??

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Ganga Din

Jun 09, 2014 04:59pm

@aam aadmi Keep amusing yourself.

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Ayub

Jun 09, 2014 05:20pm

All Security forces uniforms must be changed on high priority, they all seem to move freely wearing Army, Rangers and Police uniforms.

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TKhan

Jun 09, 2014 05:33pm

@Ayub - What that going to accomplish? Uniforms and Badges can still be duplicated. My main question is how they were able to transport so much weapons inside the terminal with the inside help? So it shows how embedded perpetrators are in Government's unrestricted areas.

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Wajih

Jun 09, 2014 06:19pm

when we will come out of this reactive approach. it is obvious that army will definitely control the situation ultimately after many losses. if this could not be stopped before the attack then whats the use of Police and Intelligence. Its time to handover Police under the control of army

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NORI

Jun 09, 2014 06:28pm

If the attackers are foreigners, how can their presence in Pakistan can be explained ? Also, the functioning of intelligence agencies should be reviewed as they are responsible for gathering intelligence, averting such mishaps.

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Saeedrahman

Jun 09, 2014 06:33pm

CPLC chief has many times asked govt.to cancel all unregistered sims ..80% have no ID....how they reach with ammunation.....intelligence input.....thosands more cc tv cams.in city

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imran ali

Jun 09, 2014 07:00pm

@H ..Ch.Nisar is missing ..please find him..may be he is relaxing in Waziristan

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Sheikh

Jun 09, 2014 07:04pm

If ISI is done protecting the agency (re: Geo issue), perhaps, now they should protect Pakistanis at large?

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gerry d'cunha

Jun 09, 2014 07:40pm

is there any condemnation message from any religious parties? enemies lies within pakistan - stop blame game - it will lead us nowhere

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Siplan

Jun 09, 2014 08:02pm

@sania _ Was it Imran who formed the committee for dialogue? Was it Imran or the APC that gave a nod to the dialogue process?

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Shah, Canada

Jun 09, 2014 08:20pm

Hang the terrorists. Long live Pak security forces

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Rattan

Jun 09, 2014 08:23pm

@Ganga Din he is mot amusing himself it is a deep thought. No one wants to see pakistan fall apart

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Rizwan

Jun 09, 2014 08:48pm

I am not at all a supporter of Nawaz Sharif. The only reason Imran is so critical about governments policies and creating hype is because he wants to take his turn as soon as possible (as PM in his dreams only).

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Mandar

Jun 09, 2014 09:03pm

It is time to stop pointing fingers and all Pakistanis coming together and fighting terrorism... we are with you... put your hand out first...

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5Gs

Jun 09, 2014 09:05pm

Always remember! Security that they impose is for people who can't do nothing. You and I have to even take our shoes off to go through the torture travelling. So they can stress us out more but for terrorist like these. They have open doors. Another thing! Always remember. We have to change our self first to change the world. Also Remember! If you think you can barricade the whole area and live happily in defense and let the whole world rotten.. Hmm you are not from that defense area but you are from the world you live in. If the world is going to hell. You will as well. Lets try to change our self first to change the world. Please and thank you.

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Justice

Jun 09, 2014 09:09pm

@muhammad you must be joking, these militants must be eradicated as quickly as possible, no mercy.

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Rogers Evans

Jun 09, 2014 09:15pm

It is sheer failure of Intelligence Services. What does Intelligence Dept. say ?

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Rupak

Jun 09, 2014 09:51pm

My name is Rupak and i am from India. I just wanted to express my grief and sorrow at this tragedy that you are facing. My brothers and sisters, i only pray that you will come out of this stronger. I don't have many words but many in India were saddened by what happend at Karachi airport.

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Jun 09, 2014 10:08pm

What Pakistan needs at the helms is someone made of sterner stuff who can command authority at the top that the nation is in good hands. Nawaz Sharif just doesn't give that air of confidence. He seems confused at best.

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alavi

Jun 09, 2014 11:53pm

@rohan .. my brother.. Pakistan is not a worst country to live in.. Its infact your country is worst to live in where a girl can't save herself being raped..

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vik3ings

Jun 10, 2014 05:05am

@muhammad what is a soft corner ?

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vik3ings

Jun 10, 2014 05:09am

@Farooq tris is not a democracy it is rule by oligarchs and theogarchs. Seperate church and state and award merit not political conections

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catherine

Jun 10, 2014 08:04am

This is what happens when you start negotiating with terrorist........Maybe you should have, or should start negotiating with the west instead...... But intelligence is not usually Pakistan's priority.

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catherine

Jun 10, 2014 08:14am

@qamber ali Well atlest they tried.....Now time to negotiate with real people that we have been saying for the last 50 some odd years.........its called AMERICA....CANADA....BRITIAN....FRANCE....ISRAEL... and allied friends.... Ya know sane countries??? ever hard of that?

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raima

Jun 10, 2014 08:16am

i believe now its too much. PPP government and specially Qaim Ali Shah should resign. There should be sit in till he resign else things will go the same way

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tahir

Jun 10, 2014 10:18am

@haris Sooo what precisely do "you" suggest? Mr. Hair?

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vijaykumar

Jun 10, 2014 01:04pm

@aam aadmi Eat mangoes to think clearly

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Adventurer

Jun 10, 2014 02:04pm

Karachi was the place my father lived and worked pre-independence and he loved the city very much - then he settled in Mumbai also the best place - it is a pity to see the plight of Karachi destroyed by the militants. Why they are allowed to roam and preach violence -clip their wings. Then for sure Karachi will regain its glorious past.

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Haqparast

Jun 10, 2014 02:04pm

@Ajamal fully endorse your view, CAA comes under Defence ministry and each of us knows who run defence ministry.Its the total failure of our security establishment but I know they will divert the attention to the political leadership who does not have any say on security matters.Our public and media will start bashing on our political leadership until another incident happens

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Jun 10, 2014 03:18pm

It's really sad what's happening. Pakistan used to be a progressive, economically well off and tolerant country. In the past two decades it has significantly deteriorated due to its flawed policy of harboring terrorists as a mechanism to forward state policy. Hope better sense prevails and isi changes course before it its too late.

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Salahuddin

Jun 11, 2014 04:20am

The attack on the airport is really regrettable. Perhaps it is time we take international help to dismantle all militant organisation within the country. Rogue elements in our security establishment must be eliminated. Inshallah we will be a strong prosperous nation again.

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Saadia

Jun 11, 2014 07:00am

Considering the moderate light in which the present government is trying to show, the government has actually portrayed a face of ineptitude and callousness to its citizens. Shameful

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