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1st LD Writethru: UN chief strongly condemns deadly blast in eastern Pakistan

Xinhua, March 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday strongly condemned a suicide bombing at eastern Pakistan, calling for "the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act to be brought swiftly to justice, consistent with human rights obligations."

"The secretary-general calls for the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act to be brought swiftly to justice, consistent with human rights obligations," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman here.

A suicide bomber hit a public park in Pakistan's east Lahore city on Sunday evening, killing at least 69 people, including a large number of women and kids, and injuring more than 300 others. A Pakistan Taliban splinter group claimed the attack.

"He urges the government to do its utmost to put in place protective measures to ensure the personal security of all individuals, including religious minority communities living in the country," said the statement.

The secretary-general extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and expressed his solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan, the statement said.

The president of the UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, said in a statement on Sunday night that he was "appalled and dismayed by the horrific murder of so many children, men and women in Lahore, Pakistan today."

"The targeting of so many innocent people including many families at Gulshan-e-Iqbal park shows an utter contempt for humanity," the president said.

"Acts of terrorism are unjustifiable regardless of their motivation and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to national and international peace and security," he said. Endi