Civil and military leadership of Pakistan Sunday condemned the terrorist attack on a church in Quetta which claimed at least eight lives and injured more than 40 people.

President Mamnoon Hussain, while expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of lives, said the resolve against terrorism could not be weaken by terrorist acts.

He also directed for provision of best medical treatment to the injured.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal termed the incident tragic and an act of cowardliness. He said anti-state elements wanted to fan unrest and anarchy in the country to achieve their nefarious designs.

"Islam is a religion of peace and harmony and it teaches its followers to respect worship places of all religions. Protecting religious freedom of the minorities living was duty of the whole nation," he added.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar bajwa said, “The Quetta church attack targeting our brotherly Christian Pakistanis is an attempt to cloud Christmas celebrations and create religious cleavages.”