ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced compensation for the relatives of the victims of a recent suicide blast that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, vowing that the lives lost in the incident would not go in vain.
At least 32 people were killed and over 150 others sustained injuries in a suicide blast last Friday that targeted Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts.
The blast occurred during Friday prayers at the mosque, with Daesh saying one of its militants had targeted the congregation by detonating an explosive vest.
Sharif visited the mosque with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials on Wednesday, where he met relatives of those who had been killed and injured in the incident.
“I would like to respectfully announce a small amount of compensation,” Sharif said in televised remarks.
“For the rest of the martyrs, Rs5 million [$18,000] each. For those who are critically injured, Rs3 million [$10,800] each, and for the other injured, who will recover soon by the grace of god, we have decided to give Rs1 million [$ 3,600] each,” he added.
During his visit to the mosque, the prime minister was briefed about the attack by police and district administration authorities who accompanied him.
Sharif also announced Rs10 million [$36,800] in compensation for the family of Aun Abbas, who had resisted the suicide bomber when he tried to detonate himself. He later visited Abbas’ residence and offered prayers for his soul and met his family members.
Friday’s mosque blast was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people and wounded more than 250. In November last year, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.
Tallal Chaudry, Pakistan’s state minister for interior, blamed the Islamabad mosque attack on militants that he said were “sponsored by India and supported by Afghanistan.”
Both countries have always denied Islamabad’s accusations of supporting militant groups who carry out attacks in Pakistan.
