Church bombings an attack on state, says Nawaz

LAHORE/KARACHI: The political leadership of the country on Sunday strongly condemned the suicide bombings in Lahore and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.In a message to the Christian community, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government considered the unfortunate incident as an attack on the state of Pakistan.
“Our Christian community has rendered invaluable services to the motherland particularly in the social sector and we consider them our honour and pride,” a press release quoted the prime minister as saying.
Extending his condolences to the bereaved families who lost their dear ones in the incident, he said that the government would work with them to find answers to their questions. He said the emotions of anger and grief shown by the Christian community in the aftermath of the tragic incident strengthened the government’s resolve to counter the menace of terrorism.
Similarly, President Mamnoon Hussain said the cowardly attacks could not deter the resolve of Pakistani nation.Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah said the blasts were a conspiracy to weaken and destabilise Pakistan.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari said terrorists had been targeting the worship places of all religions in the country, which showed they were inhuman beasts and needed to be eradicated through a unanimous national effort.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said from schools to hospitals, mosques to churches, bazaars to shopping centres, civilians and law enforcing agencies, the terrorists had been targeting every sign of human enlightenment.Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said treating the minorities in accordance with the philosophy of Quaid-e-Azam was need of the hour.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq and other party leaders said the terrorist activity was aimed at diverting public attention from the current developments in Karachi.Ayaz Latif Palijo of Qaumi Awami Tehrik said it was a high time to review policies and decide whether the nation wanted Quaid’s Pakistan or a country under the control of militants.
Former governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who also visited the bereaved families, called for strict measures for the protection of worship places.PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi the life and property of every Pakistani was equally important and protection of minorities was a duty of the government.
Punjab Government Spokesman Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri said the Punjab government was fully alert and state institutions were performing their responsibilities efficiently.Christian community leader J Salik and PPP’s Sherry Rehman and Manzoor Wattoo were also among those expressing their shock over the terror hits.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak said just like the APS Peshawar tragedy, the Lahore blasts had once again shaken the whole nation and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were equally grieved by the cowardly act.
Hindu-Sikh Social Welfare Council President Jagmohan Arora said they firmly stood behind their Christian brothers.And in Karachi, the members of Christen community held protests in various areas of the metropolis. A similar demonstration was held at Islamabad Expressway in the federal capital.
Meanwhile, All Diocesan Schools of Hyderabad will remain closed today (Monday) following the suicidal Lahore blasts, as Bishop of Hyderabad Diocese Kaleem John urged the government to protect the life and property of the community and the arrest all those responsible for the bloodbath. The Christian community also staged protest in outside Hyderabad Press Club.