February 19, 2013: The United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly
condemned the terrorist attack carried out on Saturday in Quetta, Pakistan, targeting
the Shia Muslim Hazara community which resulted in more than 80 deaths and the wounding
of nearly 200, many of them women and children.
“This is the second terrorist
bombing in the same city and against the same community since last month,” said a
statement issued on Monday evening by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.
“In the face
of this latest attack on religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan, the Secretary-General
calls for swift and determined action against those claiming responsibility and perpetrating
such actions,” it added.
Ban conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families
of all the victims of the attack in Quetta, the capital of the south-western province
of Balochistan.
“He reiterates the strong support of the United Nations for
efforts by the Government and people of Pakistan to protect religious and ethnic minorities
and to combat the scourge of terrorism.”