UN chief deplores latest terrorist attack against Pakistan’s Shia community

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out on Saturday in Quetta, Pakistan, targeting the Shia Muslim Hazara community which resulted in more than 80 deaths and the wounding of nearly 200, many of them women and children.

“This is the second terrorist bombing in the same city and against the same community since last month,” said a statement issued last night by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

“In the face of this latest attack on religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan, the Secretary-General calls for swift and determined action against those claiming responsibility and perpetrating such actions,” it added.

Mr. Ban conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims of the attack in Quetta, the capital of the south-western province of Balochistan.

“He reiterates the strong support of the United Nations for efforts by the Government and people of Pakistan to protect religious and ethnic minorities and to combat the scourge of terrorism.”