LAHORE, Pakistan: At least 16 persons including senior police officers were martyred while 73 others injured on Monday in a suicide blast outside the Punjab assembly in Lahore, a City where the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) is scheduled on March 5.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Lahore Captain (retd) Ahmed Mubeen and acting DIG Operation Punjab Police Zahid Akram Gondal were also among the martyrs.
Sources said that a protest by pharmaceutical association was underway at Charing Cross on the Mall road at time of the explosion.
It is pertinent to mention here that the National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA) had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore on February 7 while issuing a threat alert to the Home Secretary Punjab, the Provincial Police Officer and Director General Pakistan Rangers (Punjab).
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122, ambulances and fire brigade reached the spot and started rescue operation.
The injured which also included police personnel were being rushed to nearby hospitals including Ganga Ram Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital.
One Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) of AAJ TV was also damaged in the blast.
Explosion in Lahore..terrible tragedy,so far 7 deaths reported including 2 senior police officers..prayers & heartfelt condolences
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) February 13, 2017
The protest was being carried out by chemists and pharma manufacturers against the Punjab government’s amendments to the Drug Act, 1976.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Mutaza Javed Abbasi, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the Lahore blast.
In a statement, the prime minister said that such cowardly acts cannot deter the resolve of the Nation to stand against terrorism and our government is committed to root out this menace. He directed the Punjab government to reach the site and provide all possible assistance to the injured.
The Punjab Chief Minister directed the Inspector of Punjab Police to submit report of the incident.
PSL final in Lahore
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced to hold the final of the Country’s biggest Cricket event Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 5 as part of efforts to revive the International Cricket in Pakistan.
The PCB has already assured the foreign players full proof security arrangements for the final.
ICC cleared Lahore for PSL final, and somebody or our enemies don’t want Pakistan to host international cricket. #LahoreBlast
— Syed Ali Haider (@SyedAliHaider13) February 13, 2017
No International Cricket Match has been held in Pakistan for 8 years after a bus carrying the Sri Lankan Cricket team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore on March 3, 2009.
