Political leaders unite in pain and fury

ISLAMABAD:

A rare, grim consensus emerged across the fractured political spectrum on Friday as leaders condemned the suicide blast at Masjid Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, an attack that hit worshipers who were praying, killing dozens and wounding many more.

From federal leaders to provincial heads, statements poured in expressing grief, indignation and determination, with calls for swift justice, stronger counter-terrorism measures and national unity against extremism and sectarian violence.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack as an attack on humanity, faith and national conscience. He demanded an immediate and transparent investigation and urged the government to bring both the perpetrators and their enablers to justice.

Bilawal also called for effective measures to protect places of worship across the country. He expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, highlighting the need for national unity against hatred, extremism and terrorism.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said a terror attack in Islamabad, following incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, showed that no part of the country was safe.

Terming the blast as a failure of law enforcement agencies, he urged the authorities concerned to focus on law and order, public safety and protection of lives and properties of citizens, free from political interference.

Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas termed the blast as a brutal and cowardly attack and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives. He condemned the attacks on places of worship as a direct attack on humanity, faith and social values.

President of Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and termed the blast as a heinous conspiracy to sabotage national peace. He urged law enforcement agencies to intensify operations against terrorists.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sadness over the incident and extended “prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called the attack “a cowardly and inhuman crime” and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.

“The suicide attack on a place of worship is the worst example of enmity against humanity,” he said. “The provincial government equally shares the pain of the grieving families.”

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the bombing, noting that the people of his province were “no strangers to this pain”. [and] We know how deep the wound of terrorism is.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said: “Attacking a place of worship and innocent worshipers is an assault on our faith, our values ​​and our shared humanity.”

Expressing his grief, he emphasized that the people of KP stand with the bereaved.

“This vile act is part of a sinister conspiracy by Fitna al Khawarij, operating under Indian patronage, to spread fear and destabilize our homeland,” the governor said.

“The people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces against all anti-state elements. We will defeat this threat with unity, courage and unwavering determination, and take the fight against terrorism to its logical end.”

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman declared the attack “totally condemnable” and “part of a long list of indirect terrorist plots orchestrated by India.”

“This path was actually articulated by several strategists in India after Pakistan hit them in Marka-i-Haq,” he said in a social media post, referring to Pakistan’s victory over India in a brief war last May.

In a post on

“There are no words strong enough to condemn the horrible explosion,” he said.

In a statement issued by its central information department, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the “horrific suicide attack” in Islamabad.

“Attacking a place of worship is an extremely cowardly and inhuman act, which reflects the savagery of terrorists and is a reprehensible conspiracy to harm peace in Pakistan,” the statement said.

“PTI fully condemns terrorism and all elements behind it, and demands that the terrorists involved in this heinous crime and their enablers be brought to justice immediately.”

The party also extended prayers for those killed in the explosion and demanded that the relevant authorities provide the best possible medical care to the injured immediately.

“To eradicate this growing scourge of terrorism, the entire nation must remain united so that peace, tolerance and stability can be ensured in Pakistan,” the PTI said.

PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan condemned the blast in a post on X and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.

“Now is the time for all terrorists, wherever they are, to meet their end in the depths of hell. I am hopeful that, God willing, with the cooperation of all of us, our provincial and national institutions will succeed in this war,” he said.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas expressed deep regret over the loss of lives in the incident.

“Such an incident of terrorism in the federal capital is not only a proof of the serious lack of protection of human lives, but is also a big question mark on the performance of the administration and law enforcement agencies,” he said in a post on X.

Abbas strongly condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the families of those killed.

“Attacking places of worship is a direct attack on humanity, religion and social values, which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

He also appealed to the youth of Islamabad to donate blood in hospitals and “play their role in saving precious lives”.

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahahfuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) shared Senator Abbas’s seat, reiterating its request to the youth of Islamabad to donate blood.

“A step forward in this delicate moment, demonstrating the essence of humanity,” urged the TTAP. “Right now, there is an urgent need for blood in various hospitals in Islamabad for the injured worshipers.

“Therefore, all of you are actively participating in this noble cause and playing your part in saving precious lives.”

PTI stalwart and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser called the attack “cowardly and inhuman” in a post on X, saying that attacking a place of worship “reflects the worst form of enmity towards humanity and a cowardly mentality.”

“A suicide attack on a place of worship is not only an attack on fundamental human values ​​but also an open crime against humanity,” Qaiser said.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram condemned the attack, calling it not simply an act of terrorism but “an attack on our shared humanity, our religion and the conscience of Pakistan itself.”

“No belief, no grievance, no ideology can ever justify the murder of innocent Muslims, especially within a sacred place meant for prayer, dignity and peace,” he said in a post on X.

Expressing solidarity with the victims and those affected, Akram said Pakistan belongs to all its citizens and stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice.

“Sectarian violence is a deadly poison that fractures our society and empowers only those who wish to see our nation burn,” he said. “This is the time to unambiguously reject hate, defend all places of worship and stand united against extremism in all its forms.”

Adding that terrorism has no religion and no justification for violence, Akram urged the people of Pakistan to “choose peace, firmly, finally and together.”

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq condemned the attack in a statement, calling the “despicable act of the suicide bomber belonging to Fitna al Hindustan a cowardly act.”

Extending his condolences to the victims, he added: “A terrorist attack against innocent and defenseless worshipers is a cowardly act and no sentence is sufficient.”

Sadiq denounced the terrorists as “enemies of humanity” and stated that they have no connection with any religion.

“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan will never succeed in their dirty plans,” the statement said.

“The cowardly actions of Fitna al Hindustan terrorists can never weaken the resolve of the security forces and the nation in the fight against terrorism.”