Pakistan has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which four Pakistani nationals got injured while five others are missing following the attacks that resulted in loss of over 40 innocent lives and critical injury to 20 others.
"At this difficult moment, the people and government of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the people and government of New Zealand, the bereaved families and the affected community. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of precious lives, and pray for quick recovery of the wounded," Foreign Office said in a statement while reacting to the attacks.
It stated: "Pakistan views this terrorist attack as an assault on the values of freedom of conscience and association common to all mankind. Pakistan earnestly hopes that the government of New Zealand will take immediate action to bring the perpetrators and abettors of this terror attack to justice, and ensure the safety and security of the affected communities."
About the reports of Pakistani nationals being killed and injured in the terror attack, it stated that Pakistan's High Commission in New Zealand is in touch with the concerned authorities in New Zealand to obtain further details. Contact number of the focal person in the High Commission has been circulated, it added.
Later in a tweet, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal confirmed that four Pakistanis are also among the injured and being treated in hospitals while five others are missing. "Identities are being authenticated in consultation with local authorities," he stated. There are reports that around five to seven Pakistani nationals are missing following the terror attack on the two mosques in Christchurch.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and attributed such terror acts to the post 9/11 Islamophobia. "Shocked and strongly condemn the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack on mosques. This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families," Prime Minister Khan stated in a tweet.
In yet another tweet, the Prime Minister stated: "I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim. This has been done deliberately to also demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles".
President Dr. Arif Alvi also expressed shocked and grief on the horrific massacre in Christchurch mosque. In a tweet, he stated: "Shocked and grieved to learn about the horrific massacre in Christchurch Mosque. My prayers for the victims. May their souls rest in peace. My condolences to the families. I pray they have strength to bear this loss. Hate, once unleashed is difficult to stop. Difficult times."
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also took to the Twitter to condemn the terror attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. "Strongly condemn the heinous mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and their families. We are trying to ascertain whether any Pakistanis have been killed in the attack. Terrorism has no religion and a terrorist no country."
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