As Pakistan mourned the loss of more than 70 lives in Easter terror carnage in Lahore, world leaders reacted with outpouring of support for the country that remains one of the biggest victims of terrorist violence.
In the United States, Obama Administration, Congressional leaders, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, Pakistani American organizations and social media activists expressed their solidarity with Islamabad, as Internet users embraced #PrayforPakistan and #PrayForLahore.
A number of Americans joined Pakistanis at Washington’s DuPont Circle Fountain to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of the victims.
Activists, students and community leaders expressed their outrage at the massive loss of life.
“Pakistanis have paid a heavy price in fighting the terrorists, around 60,000 people have been killed and Lahore’s bombing claimed lives of both Muslims and Christians,” Johny Bashir, a Pakistani community leader, said.
Pakistani American Johny Bashir addressing DuPont Circle Vigil in memory of Pakistani victims
Photo: Views and News
Bashir drew attention of the crowd to the fact that the majority of Pakistanis want peace and they are fighting for regional and world peace also. He regretted that parts of the media only present a one-sided portrayal of the happenings in the South Asian country, focuses on the bad guys and ignoring countless stories of bravery and sacrifice by people who stand and fight for peace.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was due to attend a major Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, has cancelled his visit in the wake of tragedy that struck Gulshan-e-Iqbal, a recreational park filled with Christian and Muslim families.
A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan splinter group Jamaat ul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack in retaliation for Pakistan’s military operations against militant outfits operating in the country.
Pakistan’s fight against terror has cost it around 60,000 lives and billions of dollars in economic losses. Despite its recent counterterrorism success along the Afghan border region, Pakistan faces a mix of challenges – both homegrown and regional.
On Sunday, within hours of the attack, the State Department in Washington issued a statement:
“The United States stands with the people and Government of Pakistan at this difficult hour. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lahore as they respond to and recover from this terrible tragedy,” State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement.
“Attacks like these only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism,” the statement added.
On the campaign trail, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump also commented on the horrific suicide bombing.
Indian, Canadian, French and British prime ministers were among the leaders who condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the country.
