ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed on Monday telephoned Prime Minister Imran Khan and condemned the Lahore bombing that left three dead.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, the crown prince expressed solidarity with the Pakistani people and the government. The crown prince prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“He offered deepest condolences to the families of all the victims and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. The crown prince expressed solidarity with the leadership, government and people of Pakistan,” the statement added.
The prime minister thanked the crown prince for his condolences and strong expression of support. Reaffirming Pakistan’s firm resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, PM Imran said that the perpetrators of terrorist attacks would be brought to justice.
The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to work with the UAE for further strengthening of bilateral ties, enhancing cooperation in the multilateral fora and continue close coordination on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The blast
Three people, including a nine-year-old child, were killed while over two-dozen injured when a blast tore through a bustling market chowk near Lohari Gate, a prominent entrance of the historic walled city.
According to the Lahore police, initial investigation showed that a 1.5 kilogramme improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a motorcycle parked next to a pushcart outside a bank, which was the cause of the blast.
“It was an IED (improvised explosive device) blast,” Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations Abid Khan told media men at the emergency gate of Lahore Mayo Hospital where the deceased and the injured were shifted. The DIG was flanked by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Umer Sher Chatha.
One building and eight motorbikes were damaged in the gruesome terrorist act, while windows of nearby shops and buildings were also shattered. The site where the blast occurred is a junction point of many bazaars.
