KARACHI: Monday’s militant attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which was foiled by police within a few minutes, was widely condemned by political and military leadership of the country, who lauded the efforts of the law enforcement agencies and paid tributes to security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Prime Minister Imran Khan while condemning the attack said that the nation was proud of its security personnel, who bravely fought off militants to avert massive casualties.

PM’s aide Shahbaz Gill said in a tweet that the prime minister extended heartfelt condolences to the families of martyrs and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also paid tribute to the security guards of the PSX, who laid down their lives to thwart the attack.

In a tweet, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army chief appreciated the law enforcement agencies, including Rangers and Sindh police, for their operational readiness and prompt response.

“With support of our resilient nation, we will foil all efforts of enemies aimed at destabilising hard-earned peace achieved through sacrifices of our martyrs,” said the army chief, according to ISPR chief’s tweet.

The CM orders law enforcement agencies to intensify targeted operation across the province

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s president Shahbaz Sharif “strongly condemned” the PSX attack and tweeted: “Swift & timely action by law enforcement agencies saved the nation from a bigger tragedy. The attack, however, must alert us. Our condolences to bereaved families of martyrs & prayers for speedy recovery of the injured.”

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called it a “cowardly act” and lauded the role of security officials while extending condolences to the families of martyred security men.

“The cowardly attack on #KarachiStockExchange was thwarted by the brave & timely action by Sindh Police. All Pakistanis are grateful to Sindh police for not only saving so many lives but successfully defending the nerve centre of Pakistan’s economy,” he tweeted.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari while condemning the attack and praising the efforts of security agencies demanded early arrest of those who actually masterminded the assault.

“We salute our security agencies. It’s high time that the planners, masterminds and people behind this attack be brought to justice,” he said in a statement.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also issued separate statements condemning the attacks.

Leaders of different political parties also came up with strong reactions against the PSX attack and lauded the role of security personnel.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi, Syed Mustafa Kamal of the Pak Sarzameen Party, Saif Ali Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Hafiz Naeem ur Rahman of Jamaat-i-Islami, Qari Usman of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazal) and leaders of other parties condemned the attack and expressed their condolences with the families of the martyred security men.

They condemned the attack and demanded thorough and fruitful investigations into the incident.

Japanese Ambassador in Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori also condemned the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange and termed it a very unfortunate incident at a time when Pakistan was moving fast towards strengthening peace, stability and a secure environment for business activities in the country.

Murad orders targeted action across Sindh

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday condemned the PSX attack and directed the law enforcement agencies to intensify targeted operation and further strengthen intelligence work so that emerging threat of terrorists could be crushed all over the province.

Presiding over a meeting on law and order at the CM House after the attack, the chief minister said: “Just after back-to-back attacks in Ghotki, Larkana and Karachi a couple of days ago, the attack on stock exchange seems to be the terrorism of the same group.”

He said that he wanted to see all of those involved in such incidents behind bars.

He appreciated the policemen and Rangers who fought bravely with the terrorists and killed them.

The chief minister directed the law enforcement agencies to send the fingerprints and photographs of the terrorists killed in the operation to the National Database and Registration Authority to identify them and then investigate their links and origins further.

The police and Rangers told the chief minister that they would start a targeted operation against terrorists in the city of Karachi and other districts and towns of the province with 24 hours.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Director General of Sindh Rangers Major General Omar Bukhari, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Usman Chachar, Karachi police chief Additional IG Ghulam Nabi Memon, heads of the Counter-Terrorism Department and other intelligence agencies.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2020