The Church in Pakistan condemns suicide attacks against Bhutto
Lahore (AsiaNews) – Chairman Pakistan Bishops Conference, Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha of Lahore archdiocese has strongly condemns the suicide attacks on Pakistan’s former premier’s huge welcome gathering in Karachi, demanded fair and prompt enquiry of the incident and urged people of all faiths to work for peace and harmony in the country. “We strongly condemn this loss of innocent lives and express solidarity and condolences with the families of the deceased” wrote archbishop Saldanha in a joint press statement with Peter Jacob, respectively Chairman and Executive secretary of the Churches National Commission for Justice and Peace. The statement further said, “We consider the killings at Karachi an act of extreme cowardice and terrorism and demand that the government should ensure the safety of the lives of citizens. We also demand a fair and prompt enquiry of the tragic incident and strict action against the culprits. We also call upon citizens irrespective of religion, cast and creed to work for peace and harmony in the country”.
PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto vowed yesterday to live in country to continue struggle for democracy despite heavy loss of lives incurred as a result of assassination attempt made on her life through suicide attacks on her enormous caravan, after reaching Pakistan and ending her eight years long self imposed exile, on Thursday. The suicide attack left at least 139 people dead including three police officers and over 550 were injured.
Wearing a black armband to mourn the lives lost in the attacks, Benazir told a press conference at Bilawal House (her personal residence in Karachi) the suicidal blasts during her homecoming parade on Thursday were ‘an attack on democracy, and an attack on the very unity and integrity of Pakistan’. She added that three people were responsible for the attack; “I’ll consult my legal counsel on whether to name them in the case or not and if they advise me, I’ll do it”. She added that Al Qaeda, Taliban or any other group may make an attempt on her life but she made it clear that the three persons, who she did not name, should be held responsible for any such attack. Bhutto vowed that she would live in Pakistan despite threats to her life. “However, I’ll go abroad for lectures and to see my children.”
The suicide attack on the former premier may have been the work of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, media reports quoted authorities as saying on Friday, as forensic experts studied the severed head of the alleged bomber to try to determine his identity. However, Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud yesterday denied any involvement in attacks on Bhutto’s massive welcome rally. “I had nothing to do with it,” Baitullah Mehsud told Reuters by satellite phone from an undisclosed location. Other point the finger at secret service agents linked to former president Zia-ul-haq.
An atmosphere of mourning was prevalent in Karachi yesterday while enraged protestors rioted in several areas and torched several vehicles, a police post and a petrol pump. The protestors burnt tyres and pelted stones at police personnel and vehicles. The protestors also burnt at least three motorcycles and a police post.
Also yesterday, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made it clear that the election schedule would not be affected by the Karachi tragedy and the assemblies are completing their tenure on November 15 after which care-taker governments would be formed and transparent elections would be held in the country.
Today however a bomb exploded in a crowd of people in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, killing 7 and leaving 6 wounded. A war for independence has been underway in the province for the last 5 years. The police excluded any links to the Karachi attack.
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