Bomb kills 11 in Karachi, Islamabad bishop expresses solidarity

08 July 2013: Bishop Rufin Anthony of Islamabad/Rawalpindi has reacted strongly to the episode of violence that that hit southern Pakistan's main city on Wednesday.
A bomb exploded near a football field in Lyari, Karachi, just as a match was ending, killing at least 11 people, including several children, and wounding 26 others. The bomb that was inside a motorcycle was activated by remote control. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, which struck mainly young people between the ages of 6 and 15 years, who had come to watch the match.
Bishop Rufin Anthony strongly condemned the violent act. saying it affects the population of Karachi, which has already suffered a lot." Expressing solidarity with the population of Karachi, the bishop appealed to the government to meet the enormous challenges of terrorism, sectarian violence and the economic crisis. These are hard times and the nation must be united against terror", he added.
According to some observers, the bomb's apparent target was Jawaid Nagori, a Sindh provincial minister, who was slightly injured in the blast, but there is no official confirmation.
With a population of over 180 million people (97 per cent Muslim), Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, and the second Muslim nation after Indonesia. Just under 80 per cent are Sunni Muslim, and 20 per cent are Shia. Hindus are around 1.85 per cent; Christians are 1.6 per cent and Sikhs 0.04 per cent.
Source: Asianews