President Alvi condemns Christchurch shooting; PM Imran blames post 9/11 Islamophobia for rise in terror attacks on Muslims

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand on Friday morning.

Forty-nine people have been confirmed dead and at least 50 others wounded in shootings at two mosques in central Christchurch.

According to media reports the terrorist attack took place around 01:40 pm local time on Friday, when armed gunmen entered a mosque in Christchurch and opened fire.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/at-least-nine-people-dead-after-mass-shootings-in-new-zealands-christchurch/

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern held a press conference about the terror attack in the country’s east coast city of Christchurch, referring to the incident as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.”

In a tweet, the President expressed shock and grief on the horrific massacre in Christchurch mosque.

He said hate once unleashed is difficult to stop and these are difficult times. The President said his prayers go for the victims. May their souls rest in peace!

https://twitter.com/ArifAlvi/status/1106484782697975808

Dr. Arif Alvi also offered condolences to the families and prayed that they have strength to bear this loss.

In his tweets, PM Imran Khan attributed such terror acts to the post nine-eleven Islamphobia under which the one point three billion Muslims of the world are being blamed for any act of terrorism by a single Muslim individual.

The premier said the attack is also a deliberate attempt to demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles.

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1106446970414157824

Imran Khan said the incident has reaffirmed our claim that terrorism does not have any religion.

Later, in a tweet on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said our High Commission is in constant touch with the local authorities, trying to ascertain further details.

The Spokesperson said the Pakistani High Commission has designated Minister Political Syed Moazzam Shah as focal point for the purpose.

https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1106412948182962176

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand in strongest terms and expressed grief and shock over the incident.

https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1106458243591745541

He said that about three hundred Pakistanis are residing in Christchurch and there are no reports of Pakistani casualty in the despicable incident.

Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad, has also expressed grief over the attack and said the hearts and soul of people of Pakistan are with people of New Zealand.

https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1106414468282679298

The minister said Pakistan suffered the same situation years back and can feel and relate to the pain and misery.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch city of New Zealand in which innocent worshippers were martyred.

https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1106470728134787072

In a statement, the PPP co-Chairman said that the menace of terrorism has crossed continents and posing far more threats to world peace than ever before.

He said the world needs more serious and coordinated joint efforts to wipe out terror, which is hounding the humanity everywhere.

Bilawal expressed heartfelt condolences with those who lost their loved ones in the horrible Christchurch attacks and added that that people of Pakistan and the his party stand in complete solidarity with the victims.

World leaders have also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned deadly mosque shootings in New Zealand.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia strongly condemns this shooting act, especially at a place of worship. Leader of the biggest party in ruling coalition in Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim said he was deeply saddened by this uncivilized act, which goes against humanistic values and took the lives of civilians.