Security Council, Ban speak out against deadly terrorist attack in Pakistan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have condemned today’s double suicide bombing in the north-eastern Pakistani town of Wah, near the capital Islamabad, which has claimed numerous civilian lives and injured many others.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban “reiterates his rejection of such indiscriminate and reprehensible acts of terrorism.”

He also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani Government.

Media reports say that some 60 people have lost their lives in the attack.

Later today, Ambassador Jan Grauls of Belgium, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency this month, read out a statement in which the 15-member panel deplored the attack.

“The Security Council underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urges all States… to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in this regard,” he said.

Mr. Grauls said all acts of terrorism are criminal and, regardless of their motivation, cannot be justified.

Last month, Mr. Ban condemned a suicide bombing in a mosque close to Islamabad and a series of bombings in Karachi.

“The Secretary-General urges all political forces to unite against the scourge of terrorism and expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Pakistan,” according to a statement issued at the time.