UN urges Pakistan to protect religious minorities after attack

The attack in Karachi was officially claimed by the Islamic State group.

Ban condemned “in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack” and called on Pakistan to bring those responsible to justice.

He urged the government to “take swift measures aimed at effective protection of religious minorities in the country.”

Pakistan has experienced a rising tide of sectarian violence in recent years, particularly against Shiites, who make up around 20 percent of the country’s predominantly Muslim population of 200 million. – AFP