UN chief condemns deadly university attack in Pakistan

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack by armed militants on a university campus in northwest Pakistan, which killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens more, said a statement from Ban's spokesman.

Four terrorists armed with suicide jackets, hand grenades and automatic guns attacked students at Bacha Khan University in the city of Charsadda, Pakistan, on Wednesday morning.

"He (Ban) is appalled by such acts of violence and calls for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice," said the statement.

Ban recalled that just over a year ago Pakistan experienced one of the deadliest school attacks in its history near the city of Peshawar, where more than 150 people died, mostly children, it said.

He reaffirmed that attacks against students, teachers or schools can never be justified, it said. "The right to education for all must be firmly protected. Schools and educational facilities must be respected as safe and secure spaces," it said.

In addition, Ban called for proportionate and necessary measures to be taken to ensure that schools in areas of insecurity and conflict are adequately protected, it said.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, it said. Enditem