As the country came to a standstill following the brutal attack on the Ismaili community passenger bus, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed sadness over the attack, saying the attack is an attempt to spread divisions in the country.
“Ismailis are a very patriotic and peaceful people who have always worked for the wellbeing of Pakistan,” the premier said.
At least six gunmen on motorcycles boarded a bus and opened fire on commuters belonging to the Ismaili community in Karachi’s Safoore Chowk area, killing at least 43 people.
Read: 43 dead, 24 injured in bus attack on Karachi’s Ismaili community
Following the attack, Army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived in Karachi, cancelling a pre-scheduled three-day trip to Sri Lanka.
“COAS cancelled his pre schedule three day visit to Sri Lanka due to Karachi terrorist bus attack,” Director General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa.
#COAS cancels his pre scheduled 3 days visit to Sri Lanka due to Kci terrorist Bus attack
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 13, 2015
The prime minister is also scheduled to travel to Karachi Wednesday evening where he will be visiting the victims of the attack.
The army chief, along with corps commander and DG Rangers, is likely to visit the injured at Aga Khan University (AKU) hospital. Security has been beefed up at the hospital’s vicinity following General Raheel’s visit.
Militant group Jundullah, which has attacked Muslim minorities before, claimed responsibility. The group has links with the Pakistani Taliban and pledged allegiance to Islamic State in November.
The United Nations also strongly condemned the attack carried out in Karachi. In a statement, Resident UN Coordinator in Pakistan Dr Jacqui Badcock said they were horrified by this act of brutality.
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