New Delhi, October 19
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sent a letter to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf wherein he condemned the Karachi bombings and expressed his deep concern. He described the terrorist attack as “a dastardly act” and reiterated that such acts of violence and terrorism were totally unacceptable in any civilised society and are to be strongly condemned.
Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee
also conveyed their personal concerns and sympathies to former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto through the High Commissioner of India Satyabrata Pal who spoke to her this afternoon. Prime Minister and external affairs minister also conveyed their deep sympathies and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Karachi blast. Bhutto thanked the PM, Mukherjee and Government and people of India for their concern and prayers.
Earlier, the ministry of external affairs condemned the terrorist attack in Karachi and said, “The spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our governments.” In response to questions on the terrorist attack in Karachi, the official spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Karachi yesterday. It is reprehensible that senior political figures are targeted in this way with such loss of innocent lives.
Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Satyabrata Pal conveyed to Pakistan People’s Party president Benazir Bhutto India’s desire to work with her to defeat terrorism in all its forms. Pal conveyed to Bhutto the following message on behalf of the Government of India: “We are horrified by the loss of innocent life caused by the terrorist attack on your convoy and the injuries to some of your senior colleagues. We are relieved that you yourself are unhurt. Terrorism is a common challenge to all of us in South Asia. We look forward to working with you to defeat terrorism in all its forms.”
The CPI-M politburo also conveyed its “heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all those who lost their family members and suffered grievous injuries” in the Karachi bombings. The CPI-M, while expressing shock and outrage at the incident, said, “The forces which do not want democracy to be restored in Pakistan are behind this attack.”
