At least one person was killed when a suspected suicide attacker targetted the vehicle of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq during a political event in Balochistan’s Zhob district on Friday.
“This seems to be a suicide attack,”
A tweet by the party said Haq was on his way to address a public gathering when he was targetted in a “suicide attack”.
“The suicide attacker blew himself up near the vehicle of Sirajul Haq, but he remained unhurt in the attack.”
The JI added that seven of its workers are injured and four are in serious condition. “Sirajul Haq will address the gathering as per schedule.”
Meanwhile, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has distanced itself from Zhob attack.
“We have made it clear many times before that religious and political parties are not among our targets. Such activities are carried out by Pakistan’s secret services and anti-Islamic elements in the country to defame Jihad and Mujahideen,” TTP spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani said in a statement.
“Political and religious parties are not among our targets, some channels are spreading fake news to get cheap fame,” he added.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, while condemning the blast, expressed satisfaction over the safety of Jamaat-e-Islami chief in the terrorist incident.
He said that he will not allow the terrorist elements and their patrons to succeed in their nefarious ambitions. He said he is deeply saddened that five people were injured in the incident, adding that he is grateful to the Almighty who protected the Sirajul Haq and his colleagues.
Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the explosion near Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq’s convoy in Zhob and expressed good wishes for him.
He expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in the blast and directed immediate treatment of those injured in the blast. Bilawal also directed an immediate investigation into the incident. “All those responsible for the blast should be brought to justice,” he maintained.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the suicide attack near the convoy of Sirajul Haq and demanded immediate arrest of those behind the attack.
While expressing good wishes for Haq, the PPP co-chairmain also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast.
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