Deputy chairman was returning from an event at Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen at Jamia Masjid Hammadia when the explosion took place
News Desk/Agencies
QUETTA
At least 25 people lost their lives while over 30 others, including Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, were injured on Friday in a roadside blast in Mastung area of Balochistan, officials said.
District Health Officer in Mastung Dr Sher Zaman said, “25 bodies have been shifted to two hospitals in Quetta,” adding that 35 injured were also being transferred to Quetta.
Maulana Haideri’s convoy was targeted in the blast with pictures showing the extent of damage to his vehicle. The deputy chairman was returning from an event at Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen at Jamia Masjid Hammadia when the explosion took place.
The deputy chairman Senate has been shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Quetta, said DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema.
The blast was very powerful, said Maulana Haideri, adding that though he is not seriously hurt, he is deeply saddened by the deaths which had taken place.
Earlier while speaking to private news channel, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Malik said that Maulana Haideri had asked for a bulletproof vehicle which was not provided.
The area has been cordoned off by security forces and investigations are underway. Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri has directed relevant officials to immediately submit a report on the incident.
JUI-F chief says have to continue working for stability of Islam
Speaking to private News channel, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazulr Rehman condemned the attack on Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri before adding that Friday’s attack was not the first on the party.
“Many of our dear companions have been martyred [in this attack],” he said further, adding that, “We have to continue to work for this country and the stability of Islam.”
Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs terming the attack a very painful incident for the nation and particularly the JUI. He added that “such incidents will not stop us in our cause.”
The JUI-F chief also said such incidents occur “because we [JUI-F] stand with Pakistan, its law, and its Constitution
Prisedent,Prime Minister, Imran Khan others condemn attack on Maulana Haideri
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed his concern for the well-being of Maulana Haideri and prayed for his swift recovery.
The premier directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured.
He also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani and Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan also condemned the attack, with Rabbani saying “terrorists cannot deter [the] nation’s resolve against militancy through such coward attacks.”
According to the Radio Pakistan website, chairman Senate termed the incident a suicide attack, earlier it was not confirmed by either the police or rescue personnel whether the explosion was a roadside bomb or a suicide attack.
President Mamnoon Hussain also condemned the attack in a statement and expressed the state’s resolve to protect the public by completely eradicating terrorism from the country.
The president prayed for the early recovery of the injured, including the deputy chairman of the Senate.
He directed authorities to provide all possible assistance to the injured.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also condemned the blast. They expressed heartfelt grief over the loss of precious lives. They also prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and extended their condolences to the bereaved families.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the deputy chairman. Bilawal Bhutto said the controlling the menace of terrorism was a collective responsibility.
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Friday strongly condemned roadside blast in Mastung and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.
In a statement, Chairman PTI termed it “as worst terrorist incident”, adding that enemies want to create unrest.
Imran Khan said that Mastung incident should be investigated and elements involved in such activities be brought to justice.
He prayed for early recovery of the deputy chairman of Senate and other injured in the blast.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the martyres’ souls in eternal peace and also sympathized with bereaved families.
KPK assembly condemning Mastung blast termed it cowardly act
KPK assembly severely condemning Mastung blast held prayer for the dead and termed it a cowardly act. The KPK assembly session proceeding starts in the chair of Deputy Speaker Mehr Roghani and members condemning the Mastung blast them observed prayer for the dead and immediate recovery of the inured. Members termed the blast not only attack on Deputy Chairman Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haidri but also attack on state that showed the invulnerability of the government before the terrorists.
