LAHORE: Opposition leaders have condemned blast in Defence House Society, saying the nation will never succumb to violence by terrorists.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari said targeting innocent people is the most cowardly and despicable act which must be condemned. He said the Pakistani nation would never succumb to violence by the terrorists.

He also prayed to Almighty Allah for grant of eternal peace to the departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

Former premier Yusuf Raza Gilani, PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi condemned the blast and sympathised with the bereaved families. They also demanded that the government take measures to protect the lives of citizens.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders Jehangir Tareen, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, Sumsam Bokhari, Ejaz Chaudhry, Abdul Aleem Khan and Dr Yasmin Rashid expressed grief over the loss of lives in the blast.

They said Pakistan had laid down more sacrifices in war on terror than any other country in the world. They said the nation would defeat terrorism at any cost.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2017