By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: The United Nations in Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack at an Imambargah in Peshawar’s Hayatabad area when suicide attackers and gunmen attacked worshippers offering Friday prayers, in which at least 19 people were killed, including a United Nations staff member and 50 others injured.
“Any violent act targeting minorities is totally unacceptable. We are horrified by this act of brutality, second such attack against this religious group in two weeks, and extend our condolences to the families of the deceased and the wounded. We reaffirm our strongest commitment to protecting the rights of all minorities for them to freely exercise their rights.” said Timo Pakkala, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Pakistan.
The United Nations has expressed solidarity to the Pakistan’s government for its ongoing struggle against terrorism and extremism and urges to continue taking steps to build tolerance and strengthen relationships between diverse religious and ethnic communities in the country.
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(Aslam Chandio is an Islamabad based journalist. He tweets at @aslamchandio_ )