ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned a deadly blast at an imambargah in the federal capital, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“At least 15 people were killed and more than 80 wounded when an explosion tore through an imambargah in Pakistan’s federal capital during Friday prayers,” officials said, as authorities launched a swift rescue and security response.
The blast struck an imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, where police and emergency teams rushed to evacuate the injured and cordon off the area. Rescue 1122 officials said the wounded were shifted to nearby hospitals amid fears the death toll could rise.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “profound sorrow and grief” over what he described as a cowardly attack, extending condolences to the families of those killed and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. He directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to ensure a full investigation and the immediate identification of those responsible.
“The perpetrators of this attack must be identified and given exemplary punishment,” the prime minister said, adding that no one would be allowed to spread chaos and instability in the country.
Sharif also ordered that the injured be provided the best possible medical treatment, instructing the health minister to personally oversee medical care. Emergency measures were imposed at major hospitals, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital and CDA Hospital.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for patience and strength.
“Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity,” the president said, adding that the nation stood firmly with the affected families in this difficult hour. He also directed authorities to ensure that all injured victims receive every possible medical facility.
Following the attack, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry visited PIMS on the instructions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, where he met victims undergoing treatment.
Chaudhry directed hospital authorities to provide special medical care to the injured and said the government remained fully committed to ensuring all possible facilities for those affected.
The attack comes amid heightened security across the capital and follows previous incidents targeting public places, underscoring ongoing security challenges despite intensified counterterrorism measures by Pakistani authorities.
