ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the heinous attacks in Hanau, Germany, which resulted in the loss of a number of innocent lives and injuries to many others.

A shooter with suspected far-right beliefs killed nine people at a shisha bar and a café in the Germany city of Hanan, before apparently killing himself and his mother.

Among the dead were “several victims of Kurdish origin”, the Kon-Med association of Kurds in Germany said in a statement.

“In this hour of grief, Pakistan stands in solidarity with the government and people of Germany.

Our thoughts and prayers are with families of the victims,” a Foreign Office statement said.

The statement also mentioned Pakistan’s deep condolences to Turkey on the killing of its nationals in shootings and wished the injured speedy recovery.

Pakistan expressed deep concern over the rising tide of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racial hatred, sweeping across many parts of the world.

“The attacks once more underscore that violent extremism knows no race, religion or nationality.

“We reiterate our call for concerted efforts to root out ideologies of hate, as well as address the underlying causes of hate crimes,” the statement read.

“Pakistan stands ready to partner with Germany and all like-minded states in efforts to confront and counter Islamophobia, and to promote greater inter-religious and inter-civilisational harmony, amity and understanding,” it said.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2020