Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif: Ismailis are peaceful and patriotic people who have worked for Pakistan’s wellbeing

“Ismailis are a very patriotic and peaceful people who have always worked for the wellbeing of Pakistan.”

– Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

As the country came to a standstill following the brutal attack on the Ismaili community passenger bus, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sadness over the attack, saying the attack is an attempt to spread divisions in the country.

At least six gunmen on motorcycles boarded a bus and opened fire on commuters belonging to the Ismaili community in Karachi’s Safoore Chowk area, killing at least 43 people.

The prime minister is also scheduled to travel to Karachi Wednesday evening where he will be visiting the victims of the attack.

The army chief, along with corps commander and DG Rangers, is likely to visit the injured at Aga Khan University (AKU) hospital. Security has been beefed up at the hospital’s vicinity following General Raheel’s visit.

Militant group Jundullah, which has attacked Muslim minorities before, claimed responsibility. The group has links with the Pakistani Taliban and pledged allegiance to Islamic State in November.

The United Nations also strongly condemned the attack carried out in Karachi. In a statement, Resident UN Coordinator in Pakistan Dr Jacqui Badcock said they were horrified by this act of brutality.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is chairing a high level meeting at Governor House in Karachi to assess the security situation following the grisly attack on Ismaili community earlier in the day, Radio Pakistan reported.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, Corps Commander Karachi and secretary interior were present at the meeting.

MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Rasheed Godel are also present at the meeting, Express News reported.

After the meeting, the prime minister accompanied by the Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and Farooq Sattar visited the residence of Ismaili community leader Sultan Ali Allana and offered their condolences.

Via The Express Tribune | Ismailis are peaceful and patriotic people who have worked for Pakistan’s wellbeing

By Web Desk team for The Express Tribune. Posted on May 13, 2015