ISLAMABAD: The president and prime minister of Pakistan expressed grief after an explosion that rocked a popular shopping street in central Istanbul on Sunday afternoon in which six people were killed and about 80 others injured. 

The blast took place at Istiklal Avenue which is visited by a large number of tourists every day. The Turkish authorities arrested a suspect in the early hours of Monday while the country’s interior minister blamed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for the attack. 

“I have learnt with deep anguish about the explosion at popular Istiklal avenue in the heart of Istanbul,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a Twitter post shortly after the news was reported by international media organizations. “[Government] & people of Pakistan express deepest condolences to the brotherly people of Turkiye at the loss of precious lives & send prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.” 

President Arif Alvi condemned the explosion in a statement released by his office, expressing solidarity with the government and people of Turkey and describing “terrorism” as “a collective issue of the world.”

The Pakistan foreign office also extended its “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families” while wishing “speedy recovery to those injured.” 

“Pakistan firmly stands with the brotherly people of Türkiye in the fight against the scourge of terrorism,” it added. “We are convinced that the resolute Turkish people will foil any attempts to undermine peace and stability of Türkiye.” 

Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue was crowded when the blast took place. However, most people left the neighborhood after the incident as paramedics provided medical treatment to the wounded. 

Turkey’s interior minister Suleyman Soylu blamed the bombing on Kurdish rebels in a statement broadcast by the official Anadolu news agency. 

“The person who planted the bomb has been arrested,” he said. “According to our findings, the PKK terrorist organization is responsible [for the attack].”