Condemnations pour in following attack over Chinese Consulate

KARACHI: Condemnations pour-in across the country on Friday following an attack over Chinese Consulate in Karachi, earlier today, ARY News reported.

Reacting over the attack at the Chinese Consulate, the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while talking to the journalists outside the Parliament house, strongly condemned the attack over Chinese consulate and termed it as a “cowardly” act by the “evil forces.”

“The act aimed to disturb ‘friendly’ relations between both the country”, he continued.

He said all staff members of the Chinese consulate remained safe and lauded the timely action by police and rangers who foiled the attack.

The foreign minister said he had spoken to the Chinese consul general and the Chinese ambassador. The Chinese ambassador is satisfied with the prompt response from the Pakistani security forces, he continued.

The Foreign Office had also condemned the attack on the Chinese consulate.”We condemn the attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi. Security forces took charge. Three terrorists killed. All Chinese safe”, the FO spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal tweeted shortly after the attack.

We condemn the attack on #Chinese Consulate in Karachi. Security forces took charge. 3 terrorists killed. All Chinese safe. #Pakistan #China #LonglivePakistanChinaFrienship

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) November 23, 2018

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry condemned the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi and labeled it a “conspiracy” targeting Pakistan-China socioeconomic and strategic ties.

He said such incidents cannot hinder the friendship between the two neighbors.

In his tweet, the minister deploring the terror-bid, vowed to bring the perpetrators to the court of law.

سیکورٹی اداروں نے آج کراچی کو ایک بڑی سازش سے بچا لیا ، تمام تین دھشت گرد ھلاک ہو چکے ہیں اس آپریشن میں دو پالیس کے جوانمردوں نے خون کا نذرانہ پیش کیا ۔ چائینہ قونصلیٹ کے تمام اھلکار محفوظ ہیں اور پولیس اور رینجرز صورتحال کے مکمل کنٹرول میں ہیں۔ سازش کی تہہ تک پہنچیں گے۔

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 23, 2018

On the other hand, imprisoned Opposition Leader in National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif while condemning the attack said, China is an old ally and friend of Pakistan; enemies’ evil designs will be foiled by both the nations.

Addressing at the floor of the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack and demanded of the government to brief the House on the attack.

The attack

At least three terrorists were killed as security forces and police foiled the terror attack targeting the Chinese Consulate in Karachi.

Two policemen embraced martyrdom in exchange of fire with the three terrorists armed with suicide jackets. Two civilians were also killed in the attack.

Karachi Police Chief Amir Shaikh told media that the three attackers came in a car filled with explosives but failed to get inside the heavily fortified compound.

“They tried to get inside but the Rangers and police killed one of the terrorists,” Shaikh said.

A gun battle broke out with the two other attackers, but they were also killed, he added.

“There were three attackers and all three have been killed,” Shaikh said. “They could not even get in the compound. They tried to get into the visa section”.