Political leaders unite to mourn Bilour’s martyrdom

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk and the heads of various political parties denounced the terror attack, resulting in the martyrdom of ANP leader Haroon Bilour.

PTI chairman Imran Khan, in a message on Twitter, expressed his sorrow and called for provision of security to all political parties and their candidates during election campaigns. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said it was becoming clear as to who terrorists wanted out of the election race. "The terror attack on pro-democracy individuals is a conspiracy," Bilawal said, adding that they shared grief of the Bilour family. "The nation should be aware of the fact as to what do terrorists wish," the PPP chairman added.

PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif said he was grieved to learn about martyrdom Bilour" and he strongly condemned the barbaric act. "Bilour family has suffered the worst terrorist violence & rendered sacrifices for Pakistan. Basheer Bilour Shaheed was a brave leader who was martyred 6 years ago. Son of Haroon Bilour is reported to be critically injured along with others. Pray for his & others' early recovery," the former Punjab chief minister said in a tweet.

PSP chief Mustafa Kamal said those, who had their hands coloured with the blood of innocents, did not deserve to be considered as humans. Condemning the attack, ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain termed it the peak of terrorism, saying it was aimed at the derailing democratic system in the country. “It is a conspiracy to delay the upcoming general elections,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza strongly condemned the attack. “This shows the weakness of our security institutions and a conspiracy against transparent elections,” he said in a statement.