PESHAWAR: Leaders of various political parties and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor on Friday condemned the attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi and killing of innocent people in the bomb blast in Orakzai tribal district and described the gory incidents as a conspiracy against China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured. He asked the government to provide proper medical facilities to the injured.

He said that the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi was aimed at spoiling relations between Pakistan and China. He urged the government to beef up security of all the diplomatic missions in the country to avoid occurrence of such incidents in future.

The QWP leader said that it was the responsibility of the government to protect the consulates and embassies. He condemned the Orakzai blast and extended sympathies to the bereaved families. He urged the government to compensate the injured and families of the dead.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, Mr Sherpao alleged that the rulers were least bothered to take steps for providing relief to the common man.

In a separate statement, Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned the attack on Chinese consulate and bomb blast in Orakzai district and said that enemies were attempting to sabotage Pak-China relationship. He paid tribute to the security personnel who lost lives during the attack and said that the increasing terrorist acts had created question mark on performance of the government.

He said that the government should implement the National Action Plan to uproot the menace of terrorism once and for all.

Similarly, Pakistan Peoples Party provincial president Mohammad Humayun Khan also condemned the terrorist attack in Orakzai district and on the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

KP Governor Shah Farman also condemned the terrorist acts in Karachi and Orakzai district and paid tribute to the law enforcers for foiling the attack on the Chinese consulate. He asked the officials of concerned departments to take prompt steps for provision of quality medical treatment to the injured people.

Describing the attack on the consulate as an attempt to sabotage the cordial relations between the two friendly states, the governor said that the government was determined to eradicate the menace of terrorism. He appreciated the law enforcers for their quick response to foil the terrorist act.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2018