Paris attacks: Khawaja Asif extends condolences to the French

Published November 16, 2015
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (2L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (2L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks, at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks, at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday extended his condolences to the French for the lives lost during the coordinated Nov 13 terrorist attacks which hit parts of Paris.

Asif wrote a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad and observed a minute of silence alongside the staff in honour of the victims of the attack. French Ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance looked on as the Defence Minister added his condolences to the book.

French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (R) watches as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif writes a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (R) watches as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif writes a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP

At least 129 people were killed in the attacks claimed by the self-styled Islamic State group in the French capital. Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked various locations, including a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium.

Pakistan had earlier "strongly" condemned the attacks and reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

"We stand with them in their hour of grief," the Foreign Office said in an earlier statement.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal had said there were no Pakistanis among those killed or injured in the attacks.

In an apparent reference to the deadly terrorist attacks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said on Sunday that the recent incidents of terrorism may lead to problems for overseas Pakistanis.

The French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to the victims. ─ AFP
The French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to the victims. ─ AFP

After the attacks, France launched "massive" air strikes on the IS group's de facto capital in Syria Sunday night, destroying a militant training camp and a munitions dump in the city of Raqqa in Syria, where Iraqi intelligence officials say the attacks on Paris were planned.

French police have already announced seven arrests and hunted for more members of the sleeper cell that carried out the attacks.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...