ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The World leaders have denounced the Lahore bombing, terming it a cowardly act whereas the lights on the Eiffel Tower were turned off in respect for the victims.
On Sunday evening, a massive suicide blast ripped through the Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park of Allama Iqbal Town in Lahore, causing deaths of at least 70 persons including women & children and injuries to over 200.
In a statement, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the suicide bombing in Lahore and called it an “appalling” act of terrorism. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and expressed his solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan.
Ban called for the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act to be brought swiftly to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.
The UN secretary general also called on the Pakistani government “to do its utmost to put in place protective measures to ensure the personal security of all individuals including religious minority communities living in the country.”
In a telephonic conversation with President Mamnoon Hussain, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Lahore and said that the government and people of Turkey stand with their Pakistani brethren.
Erdogan said that the challenge of terrorism calls for concerted collective efforts and said both Pakistan and Turkey need to work closely to counter the threat.
The Russian President Vladimir Putin also condemned the Lahore blast and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.
In his condolence messages to President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said that Lahore incident is a barbaric act against the humanity.
The Russian president said that his country supports Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism. He stressed the need for joint efforts at international and regional levels to counter terrorism.
Separately the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani while talking to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the phone also strongly condemned the barbaric act of terrorists in Lahore and stressed the need to increase regional cooperation to confront terrorism.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also in a telephone call to his Pakistani Counterpart conveyed his deep grief and sorrow over the Lahore blast incident.
While expressing solidarity with the Pakistani nation in this hour of grief, Modi said that coward terrorists had targeted females and kids which was highly condemnable and regrettable.
The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also strongly condemned the terror attack in Lahore and expressed its support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
“Japan strongly condemns this terror attack and expressed his support to the Government and the people of Pakistan fighting against terrorism,” Shinzo Abe said in his message of condolence to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, according to a statement of the Japanese embassy in Islamabad.
Likewise, the British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also denounced the Lahore blast and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Canada condemns the deplorable bombing in Lahore, Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those killed or injured. #LahoreBlast
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 27, 2016
I’m shocked by the terrorist attack in Lahore. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. We will do what we can to help.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 27, 2016
Saddened by the loss of innocent lives in #LahoreBlast. Deepest condolences to the gov & people of #Pakistan, esp those who lost loved ones.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) March 28, 2016
Moreover, the lights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris were turned off as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the tragic incident in Lahore.
Video: Eiffel Tower’s lights go out in memory of Lahore Gulshan Park blast martyrs pic.twitter.com/h3sUDjWi29
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) March 28, 2016
