ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: While condemning the terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand’s Christchurch City, Pakistan has demanded that perpetrators and abettors of this heinous incident must immediately be brought into justice.
As many as 49 people were killed and more than 20 injured when a gunman targeted worshippers in two mosques namely Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid during Friday prayers in Christchurch.
“Pakistan views this terrorist attack as an assault on the values of freedom of conscience and association common to all mankind,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
“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,” the statement added.
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.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 15, 2019
The statement further said that 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,” it said.
It also said that our High Commission in New Zealand is in touch with the concerned authorities in New Zealand to obtain further details. It said that contact number of the focal person in the High Commission has been circulated.
The New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it one of the Country’s “darkest days”, and also said that this can “only be described as a terrorist attack”.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern: ‘It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack’ pic.twitter.com/G8AWBPVObi
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 15, 2019
The New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said that a man, identified as 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant, has been charged with murder in connection with the terrorist attack and will be produced before the court on Saturday.
