ISLAMABAD: A number of politicians from all political parties condemned the terrorist act and expressed solidarity with the horrifying bombing victims as the country was rocked by the shocking suicide attack on a mosque in Peshawar.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also paid a visit to Peshawar shortly after the brazen attack on Monday, stated in a statement that the grief of the families cannot be adequately expressed.
After returning from Peshawar, he issued a statement that read, “My message to the perpetrators of today’s despicable incident is that you cannot underestimate the resolve of our people.” He stated that terrorism is Pakistan’s “foremost national security challenge,” adding that the sheer magnitude of the human tragedy is unfathomable.
While the pain of the grieving families cannot be described in words, I express my heartfelt condolences & most sincere sympathies. My message to the perpetrators of today's despicable incident is that you can't underestimate the resolve of our people. https://t.co/edUJ6SbP3M
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 30, 2023
President Arif Alvi said, “I strongly condemn the heinous and cowardly blast that has taken place in Peshawar mosque,” and he added that the perpetrators will be identified and punished. Prayers for the injured and condolences to the families of those who have lost an innocent member. He tweeted, “Terrorism must be buried forever.”
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that the federal government was assisting the KP administration in the investigation into the fatal bombing while condemning the suicide attack. He stated that the incident was the subject of a thorough investigation.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the PPP chairperson, according to the state-run APP, promised that terrorists and their facilitators would be held accountable for their role in the deadly bombing. He emphasized the National Action Plan (NAP) for terrorism elimination. The incident was also condemned by Mr. Bhutto-Zardari via his personal Twitter handle.
Imran Khan, a former prime minister, stated that in order to combat terrorism, police must be equipped and intelligence gathering capabilities must be enhanced. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. In order to combat the growing threat posed by terrorism, it is essential that we enhance our intelligence gathering and properly equip our police forces, he tweeted.
Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers. My prayers & condolences go to victims families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 30, 2023
Sardar Tanvir Ilyas, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, described the incident as “the worst example of brutality” and referred to the perpetrators as “the enemy of Islam and humanity.” He continued, “This [attack] warrants individual and collective efforts by all segments of society to reduce the threat of terrorism from the country.”
The senior vice president of the PML-N, Maryam Nawaz, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and condemned the terrorist attack in Peshawar in the “strongest terms.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of the JUI-F, tweeted that the attack on the mosque and worshippers was an “extreme form of cruelty” and called for national unity to fight terrorism.
The attack was attributed by MNA Mohsin Dawar to Pakistan’s “flawed Afghan policy.” He stated, “The state refuses to abandon its flawed Afghan policy” and demanded accountability for those who continue to support the Taliban.
Amir Maqam, the adviser to the prime minister, stated that the attack in the provincial capital’s high-security area needed to be “taken seriously.”
He went on to say that after the attack on Army Public School, the entire nation came together, and the leadership decided to stop terrorism. A decision [in this regard] must be made today by the leadership. During his visit to the blast site, Mr. Maqam advised members of the media that politics should come after peace.
Shireen Mazari, the leader of the PTI, stated that the blast was the result of “another intelligence failure.”
The former human rights minister added, “Our police are frontline defenders against terrorists, especially in urban areas, and need better resources, including equipment.”
World reaction
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday that terrorism was indefensible for any reason in response to the Peshawar bombing.
“Worshipers at a mosque in Peshawar endured a horrific attack today, which killed and injured many,” the chief US diplomat said in a brief statement.
“Terrorism for any reason at any place is indefensible,” Mr. Blinken said, reiterating the US position. Additionally, he expressed his sincere condolences to the victims’ loved ones and families.
The US Embassy in Islamabad assured in a separate statement that “the United States stands with Pakistan in condemning all forms of terrorism.”
The terrorist attack was also condemned by the Russian foreign minister, who called for international cooperation to end terrorism.
AFP reports that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the incident.
The spokesperson for the UN chief, Stephane Dujarric, stated, “The secretary-general strongly condemns the suicide bombing that took place at a mosque in Peshawar in Pakistan earlier today.”
“The fact that such an attack occurred at a place of worship is especially appalling.”