Reactions to the 2016 Lahore suicide bombing

The response to the 2016 Lahore suicide bombing was widespread.

Pakistan

President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain; Governor of Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana; and Chief Minister of Punjab,^[1] Mian Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the attack and announced three days of mourning.^[2] Business leaders announced that all shopping malls, bazaars, and markets in Lahore would be closed on 28 March, the day following the bombing.^[3] Several news agencies in Pakistan, such as the Express Tribune, changed their websites to display everything only in greyscale.^[1][4] The Pakistan Army said it will begin military operations across Punjab in response to the bombings, targeting militants, their facilitators and their hideouts.^[5]

International reactions

The bombing was condemned and condolences offered by the leaders and spokespeople of many countries:^[6]

•  Algeria: Algeria strongly condemned the attack and called for an "urgent need for the world's cooperation in a bid to efficiently fight against terrorism", saying that Algeria stands in solidarity with the Pakistani people and government and extending its condolence to the family members of the victims involved.^[7]
•  Australia: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull extended his "condolences, prayers & solidarity ... with the victims & their family & friends."^[8] Kings Avenue Bridge in downtown Canberra was depicted in Pakistani flag.^[9]
•  Belgium: Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur led a minute’s silence in city hall for the victims of Lahore.^[10]
•  Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended his "thoughts and prayers ... with all those killed or injured."^[11] On 29 March Trudeau also called Nawaz Sharif.^[12] Toronto also became the first major Western city to light its public structures in Pakistani flag colours. Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted a picture of the Toronto sign front of the Toronto City Hall was lit in green and white, the city council also hosted a vigil.^[13][14]
•  China: President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang condemned the attack claiming that China "firmly supports Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and acknowledges its sacrifices in this regard."^[15]
•  France: President François Hollande expressed “France’s solidarity” with Pakistan.^[16] Despite public outcry the Mayor of Paris refused to turn the Eiffel Tower in Pakistani flag claiming that "The attacks in Brussels have a special resonance because we have an exceptional link with Brussels".^[17]
•  Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest terms. In a telegram of condolence to Prime Minister Sharif she expressed her "great sympathy" and assured that Germany was "on the side of Pakistan in the war on terror".^[18]
•  India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his Pakistani counterpart and expressed solidarity the victims of the attack.^[19] The hashtag #PrayForLahore remained the top trend in India.^[20]
•  Indonesia: President Joko Widodo condemned the attack and said "any acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason". Jokowi also sent his condolences to all families of the victims.^[21]
•  Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansanri strongly condemned the "terrorist attack" and expressed sympathy with the victims.^[22]
•  Iraq: Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Jamal condemned and denounced the attack. The Ministry also expressed its solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan, stressing the need to "silence media outlets that support such extremist ideology".^[23]
•  Kuwait: The government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the attack as "abhorrent" and reaffirmed full solidarity with the government of Pakistan.^[24]
•  Malaysia: The Government of Malaysia condemned the attack and expressed its deepest condolence and sympathy to Pakistani government and all victims families involved.^[25]
•    Nepal: The government strongly condemned the attack and said "terrorism must be dealt with firmly and resolutely".^[26]
•  Philippines: The Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the suicide bombing and described it as a "reprehensible and cowardly act that has no place in civilised society".^[27]
•  Russia: The Government expressed strong condemnation of the terrorist attack and supported the Pakistani Government's efforts at fighting terrorism.^[28]
•  Syria: The Government expressed its condolences to the Pakistani government, people and families of the victims, condemning what they described as a "coward terrorist attack".^[29]
•  Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Nawaz Sharif and conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives in Lahore terror attack.^[30][31][32]
•  United Arab Emirates: The Government condemned the attack and expressed its solidarity with the Pakistani government.^[33]
•  United Kingdom: Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his sympathy over the attack and promised to help Pakistan.^[34][35]
•  United States: National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price sent his deepest "condolences to the loved ones of those killed, just as our thoughts and prayers are with the many injured in the explosion."^[36] Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas was depicted in a Pakistani flag as a tribute to the victims, the gesture was termed "rare".^[37][38]
•   Vatican City: Pope Francis appealed to Pakistani authorities to step up security for religious minorities after the "abhorrent" suicide bombing, saying "I appeal to the civil authorities and to all the social constituents of this nation to do everything in their power to restore safety and serenity to the population, particularly the most vulnerable religious minorities". He also labeled the attack as "fanatical violence against Christian minorities".^[39]
•  Vietnam: The Government strongly condemned any "terror attack on civilians". Its Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lê Hải Bình said Vietnam shares the pain and great losses suffered by the Pakistani Government, citizens and families of the victims as well urging that the terrorists should be punished justly.^[40]

International organisations

•  Association of Southeast Asian Nations: ASEAN strongly condemned the bomb attack and extended its deep sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Pakistan, especially to the families of the victims. ASEAN also underlined that terrorism in no circumstances should not be linked with beliefs or religions.^[41]
•  European Union: High Representative Federica Mogherini denounced the attack that "decimated peaceful families" and reaffirmed full support to the government of Pakistan.^[42]
•  Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: The OIC condemned the "barbaric bombing". Its Secretary, Iyad Ameen Madani expressed condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and wished a quick recovery to those injured as well supporting the government and people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism and crime.^[43]
•  United Nations: Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the suicide bombing and called for the perpetrators to be brought swiftly to justice. He also extended "his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and expresse[d] his solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan".^[44]

Others

Groups including Amnesty International condemned the attack calling the attack 'inexcusable'.^[45] Human Rights Watch Head Kenneth Roth also condemned the attack.^[46] Many criticised Western bias favouring coverage of a prior bombing in Brussels over the bombing in Lahore.^[47] Vox Media noted that the Lahore bombings weren't greeted with the outpouring of tributes and vigils that accompanied the attacks in Brussels.^[48] The Independent also identified this bias.^[49]

General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Olav Fykse Tveit, stated that "The tragic loss of life from these deplorable acts of violence targeting the Christian community in Pakistan reveals once again the tremendous challenges and heavy sacrifice Christians bear as they strive to remain faithful to the gospel values of life, justice and peace".^[50]

Facebook activated Safety Check for victims of Lahore however it wrongly asked people if they were caught in a bomb attack in Pakistan who where living in Europe and the US.^[51]

References