PESHAWAR: People from different walks of life condemned the bomb blast in police lines mosque here on Monday and termed it a conspiracy to disrupt peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, Governor Ghulam Ali, Awami National party president Asfandyar Wali Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party provincial chief Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha strongly condemned the blast and expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

In their separate statements, they extended condolence to the families of victims and said that it was a planned attack to disrupt peace and tranquility in the province.

ANP has announced a three-day mourning to express solidarity with the victims of the blast. ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said that all political activities of party would remain suspended in the entire province for three days. The flag of the party will fly at half-mast at all district offices.

Govt asked to enforce National Action Plan

ANP central president Asfandyar wali Khan said that those, who killed the innocent worshipers inside the mosque, were not worthy of being called human beings. He termed it a security failure.

“Why National Action Plan has not been implemented? Who are responsible for it? What punishment did the terrorists get,” the ANP chief questioned. He demanded enforcement of NAP in letter and spirit.

PPP acting provincial president Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, who is also a special assistant to prime minister, condemned the suicide blast and said that the beasts involved in the incident would be brought to justice soon.

He said that government would take prompt steps to restore peace in the province.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammed Azam Khan also condemned the blast and termed it a brutal and heinous crime against humanity. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the incident and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and expressed well wishes for the early recovery of the injured ones. He said that government would not leave alone the victims of the incident.

He termed the blast an inhumane act and said that such incidents could not shatter the resolve of the government. He said that the whole nation was united against terrorism. He said that police rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Their sacrifices would be remembered forever, he added.

Earlier, the chief minister directed the quarters concerned to declare medical emergency in the tertiary hospitals of Peshawar to ensure provision of better treatment facilities to wounded people. He also paid a visit to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and enquired after the injured.

Governor Ghulam Ali also condemned the bombing and said that it saddened the entire nation. He said that no religion allowed shedding blood of innocent people. He said that the enemies of humanity would not succeed in their nefarious designs.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2023