ISLAMABAD: Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa strongly condemned a recent militant attack in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore which claimed three lives and left several injured during a phone call with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.
The incident took place in a crowded market in the city where a bomb exploded outside a bank.
A newly formed separatist group, Baloch Nationalist Army, swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack by issuing a statement on social media.
“The Crown Prince strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Lahore on 20 January 2022, which claimed three lives and left several injured,” said an official statement circulated by the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. “He extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.”
“The Crown Prince expressed solidarity with the people, leadership and government of Pakistan,” it added.
The Pakistani prime minister conveyed his gratitude to the crown prince for his country’s support and solidarity as well as for the sympathies and condolences.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to fight all the elements that launched such attacks and targeted innocent civilians.
“The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen and diversify bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in the multilateral fora and close coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement added.
Bahrain’s crown prince calls PM Khan, condemns militant attack in Lahore
https://arab.news/znsa7
Bahrain’s crown prince calls PM Khan, condemns militant attack in Lahore
- Three people were killed and several injured after a bomb went off in a crowded market in the city last week
- The crown prince extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured
China backs Pakistan in fight against militancy after deadly Balochistan attacks
- China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan and has pledged over $65 billion in major infrastructure projects, including in Balochistan
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian says ‘we mourn for lives lost, and our hearts go out to injured and those who lost loved ones’
ISLAMABAD: China condemns the recent attacks that killed more than 200 people in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Pakistan in its fight against militancy.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) group launched coordinated attacks in several cities across Balochistan on Saturday, killing 33 civilians and 17 security personnel. Officials said 117 militants were killed in skirmishes and follow-up operations.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is the site of a decades-long insurgency waged by Baloch separatist groups who often attack security forces, foreigners and non-local Pakistanis and kidnap government officials.
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan and has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“China strongly condemns the [Balochistan] attacks... We mourn for the lives lost, and our hearts go out to the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“China firmly opposes any form of terrorism and will as always firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability, and protecting the safety of the people.”
Chinese nationals working in Pakistan have often been targeted by militants, particularly in the southwestern Balochistan province, where China is developing a deep seaport that is touted as the crown jewel of CPEC.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said last week the attacks, claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), were planned from India. New Delhi rejected the allegation as “baseless,” saying Islamabad was attempting to deflect attention from its internal challenges.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons. Separatist militant groups such as the BLA blame Islamabad for exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources and denying locals a share in them. The military and civilian government reject these allegations and say they are investing in the province’s development.
