Appalled by Escalating Terrorist Violence in Pakistan, Secretary-General Condemns

Killings of Religious Minority Pilgrims, Government-backed Tribal Police

The following statement was issued on 30 December by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan.  He condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities, the latest in a car bombing of three buses in south-west Pakistan today, in which some 20 Shia pilgrims on their way to Iran were reported killed and 25 injured.

The Secretary-General also strongly condemns the killing of 21 members of a Government-backed tribal police force after being kidnapped last week in north-west Pakistan by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.  These cruel acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause or grievance.  Their perpetrators should be brought to justice.

The Secretary-General conveys his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.  He expresses the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Pakistan and its continued support for their efforts to defend their country’s institutions and freedoms in the face of the scourge of terrorism.

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For information media • not an official record