ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned deadly attacks in Paris, terming terrorists enemies of humanity
President Mamnoon Hussain, expressing solidarity with the French people, said terrorists were enemies of humanity and had no religion. He said Islamabad condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism and could understand the pains of the people affected by terrorism in any part of the world.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said; “Pakistan stands firm behind the people and government of France in this hour and extends its support to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“My prayers are with the families that are victims of this brutal carnage,” the prime minister added.
In a statement issued here yesterday, the PM said terrorists belonged to no religion and nationality and were enemies of humanity. He asserted Pakistan had been fighting terrorism for a long time and was succeeding significantly. He vowed to continue the war on terror and support all militant-hit countries in the cause for a better world.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said in a statement the people and government of Pakistan wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies and the deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the people and government of France. We stand by them in this hour of grief and pray for speedy recovery of the injured. The statement reiterated that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the militant attacks in Paris, resulting in the killings of over 127 people and injuries to many more.
“Pakistan People’s Party strongly condemns the terror attacks in Paris and offers deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the people of France,” he said in a statement. “Terrorism is a new threat to humankind,” he said, adding such attacks cannot and will not weaken the resolve of the nations across the world to root out the militants and extremists.
The latest terror attacks in France as well as such incidents happening from time to time in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and anywhere in the world bring home yet again the global dimensions of the menace and force the nations to work together to eradicate it, he said.
Zardari said his heart went out to the bereaved families of those killed and wounded in the Paris terror attacks.
NNI adds: The Pakistanis living in Paris are unhurt after the deadly terrorist attacks that left over 160 dead, Pakistani ambassador said.
“The Pakistani Parisians are engaged in helping the victims of the terrorist attacks with many waiting in long queues to donate blood. They have expressed determination to fight the circumstances and not to be terrorised after the attacks,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal.
He said there were no reports of any Pakistanis living in Paris getting injured in the attacks. He said Pakistanis were active in doing whatever they could to help including waiting in long queues to donate blood. The Pakistani Parisians said they would not be terrorised by the cowardly attacks and that they would fight it.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said a helpline in Pakistani embassy in France had been established, where people could call to find out about their friends and relatives. A French national was believed to be among four men who stormed a Paris concert hall overnight, killing at least 82 people, police and a source close to the investigation said Saturday.
Investigators said they found the body of a French national who was known to intelligence services and indicated he was likely one of four men who attacked the Bataclan concert hall late Friday as part of a series of simultaneous attacks on the French capital.
Meanwhile, Islamic State militants yesterday claimed a series of coordinated attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen in Paris at a concert hall, restaurants and the national sports stadium.
French President Francois Hollande also blamed the Islamic extremist group and called the coordinated assault on Friday night at six different sites an ‘act of war’. At least eight militants, all wearing suicide vests, brought unprecedented violence to the streets of the French capital in the worst attacks in Europe since the 2004 Madrid train bombings.