Pakistan: Ban strongly condemns latest terrorist attacks

Strongly condemning yesterday’s attacks in Pakistan – which reportedly left more than 50 people dead in the wake of separate assaults on the country’s main airport in Karachi, and on busloads of Shia pilgrims in Baluchistan – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the Government step up its efforts to tackle terrorism and religious extremism.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban deplored the terrorist attacks, including the assault on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi in which reportedly at least 29 people died, and the suicide attacks targeting Shia pilgrims in Taftan, Baluchistan, which reportedly left at least 25 people dead and many more injured.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by this upsurge of violence across Pakistan,” said the statement.

“While acknowledging the measures already taken to maintain security, he urges the Government of Pakistan to further increase its efforts to address terrorism and religious extremism, including with a view to protecting the rights of all people to safely practice their religion, and to bring the perpetrators of such attacks to justice.”

The Secretary-General also expressed his solidarity with the Government and the people of Pakistan and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.