UN Chief Condemns Latest Violence In Pakistan, Calls For Perpetrators To Be Brought To Justice
New York, Dec 31
2012 10:00AM Appalled by the "escalating terrorist violence" in Pakistan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
has spoken out on the matter, calling for those responsible to be held accountable, according to his spokesperson.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the spokesperson said that the UN chief condemns the "the continued violent
targeting of religious minorities" -- the latest such incident involving the bombing of three buses carrying pilgrims on
Sunday -- as well the killing of 21 members of a Government-backed tribal police force last week.
"These cruel acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause or grievance. Their perpetrators should be brought to
justice," the spokesperson said, noting that the Secretary-General conveys his deepest sympathies to the families of the
victims.
"He expresses the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Pakistan and its continued support
for their efforts to defend their country's institutions and freedoms in the face of the scourge of terrorism," the
spokesperson added.
A car bomb was used in the attack on the three buses in the country's south-west. The vehicles had been transporting
Shia pilgrims to Iran, the location of various Shia holy sites. Some 20 of the pilgrims were reported killed and another
25 injured.
In the killing of the members of the Government-backed tribal police force, the deceased had been kidnapped last week in
north-west Pakistan by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, sometimes referred to as the 'Pakistani Taliban.' According to
media reports, the 21 had been executed over the weekend.
Dec 31 2012 10:00AM
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