UNITED NATIONS, July 16: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the terrorist attacks in Pakistan over the weekend and applauded President Gen Pervez Musharraf for “taking a strong stand against extremism.”

Addressing a press conferences in New York following a two-week tour of Europe and Afghanistan, Mr Ban said: “I am especially concerned about the situation in Pakistan and the loss of life and destruction of property there over the past week.”

“I condemn the terrorist attacks that have claimed lives of a large number of security forces and innocent civilians,” he observed.

Mr Ban said: “While I am in favour of firm action against extremism, I am conscious that the government faces a delicate balance in ensuring the safety of its citizens.”