RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday telephoned Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to condole and condemn the terrorist attacks that rocked the country on Easter Day.
A devastating series of eight bomb blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka, killing nearly 160 people, including dozens of foreigners. Nearly 500 people were injured in the attacks.
Four Pakistanis were among the injured, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. All four including three women identified as Maheen Hassan, Muzna Humayun and Atika Atif sustained minor injuries and were discharged after receiving treatment, said the ministry. A statement issued here by the foreign affairs ministry said that in his telephonic conversation with Wickremasinghe, “the foreign minister expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan in the wake of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka”.
“He conveyed sympathies for the families that lost their loved ones in the tragedy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He stressed that Pakistan fully understands the pain of their Sri Lankan brethren,” it added.
Qureshi said that Pakistan “condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and completely understands the trauma and agony suffered by the people of Sri Lanka today”.
“Being a victim of prolong terrorism itself Pakistan stands with Sri Lanka in its difficult hour,” he added.
On behalf of the Pakistan, Qureshi also extended all out help and support to the Sri Lankan government and people.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the “horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday”.
“My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief,” he tweeted.
The opposition leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief at the tragic Easter carnage in Sri Lanka. “We mourn the loss of innocent lives. Stand by Sri Lanka and the Christian community around the globe in this hour of grief,” he said.
Pakistan condemns the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal had tweeted soon after news of the attacks broke.
“The people and Government of Pakistan stand by the people and Government of Sri Lanka at this moment of tragedy and against terror,” he said.
