ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, ex-President Asif Ali Zardari and others on Monday strongly condemned suicide attack in Peshawar

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly denounced the suicide attack inside a mosque at police lines in Peshawar. In a statement on Monday, he said targeting the mosque is a proof that the attackers have nothing to do with Islam. Shehbaz said terrorists want to create fear by targeting those who are rendering the duty of defending Pakistan.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to root out terrorism. He said the entire nation and institutions are united and unified for the eradication of terrorism. He said the entire nation salutes its martyrs.

He said a comprehensive strategy will be adopted on the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The center will cooperate in increasing the anti-terrorism capacity of the provinces.

Shehbaz said the Interior Minister has been instructed to provide assistance in increasing the capacity of the counter-terrorism departments of the provinces, especially that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Commiserating with the bereaved families, the Prime Minister also prayed the higher ranks of martyrs.

President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the suicide attack and added that its perpetrators will be soon brought to book. Minister for Information Marriyum also in strongest terms condemned the suicide attack.

President Zardari and Chairman FM Bilawal said that the rise of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is extremely alarming. The government should destroy the nurseries of terrorism by following the National Action Plan. Incidents of terrorism prior to the by-elections and general elections are a cause of concern. The federal government and the provincial interim government should see to it that the terrorists and their facilitators are brought to book.

President Zardari and Chairman FM Bilawal instructed the party officials and workers to help save lives of those injured by donating blood. They prayed to Almighty Allah for a speedy recovery of all those injured and to grant eternal peace to the martyrs and strength and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.