Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for unity in the fight against terrorism.
Islamabad:
Speaking on the deadly suicide bombing inside a mosque in Peshawar on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said worshipers were not killed during prayers in India as well, Dawn reported.
The suicide attack killed 100 people and injured hundreds.
Expressing his views on the attack in the National Assembly, Asif said, “Worshippers were not killed during prayers even in India or Israel, but it happened in Pakistan.”
The blast took place in the central hall of the mosque at around 1 pm on Monday.
Calling for unity in the fight against terrorism, the minister said it was time for Pakistan to put its house in order, according to Dawn.
Recalling the incidents of militancy from 2010-2017, the minister said, “This war started from Swat during PPP’s tenure and it ended during PML-N’s previous tenure, and peace in the country from Karachi to Swat.” was established.”
“But if you remember, a year and a half or two years ago […] We were given briefing twice, thrice in this hall in which it was clearly said that talks can be held against these people and they can be brought towards peace.
Asif said that different opinions had emerged on the matter, but no “conclusive decision” had been taken.
He further said that thousands of people had become jobless after the Afghans came and settled in Pakistan, Dawn reported. Asif also said that the first evidence came to the fore when the people of Swat protested against the resettled people. .
He said the people of Vana also protested and expressed similar sentiments. “I mention these incidents because of the tragedy that happened yesterday […] The terrorist was standing in the front row during Zuhr prayer, where he blew himself up.”
Asif said the prime minister and the army chief visited Peshawar where they were briefed about the attack. “But this is a tragedy where we need the same resolve and unity that was expressed in 2011-2012,” the minister said.
The Defense Minister said, ‘I will not talk long but will say in brief that in the beginning we sowed the seeds of terrorism.’
He said that when Russia invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan offered its services to the US on ‘rent’. “General Zia was the ruler at that time […] The deal with the US lasted for eight-nine years after which the US went back to Washington celebrating the fact that Russia had been defeated.”
Meanwhile, India mourned the loss of lives in the deadly mosque attack on Tuesday.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi posted on Twitter, “India expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Peshawar yesterday. We strongly condemn the attack which claimed so many lives Is.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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