Iran condemns terrorist attacks in Pakistan

TEHRAN,Feb.18(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi denounced the terrorist attack in Pakistan in which 81 people have lost their lives, calling it a criminal act which only serves the interest of the enemies of the Pakistani nation. In a message to his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on Sunday, Salehi expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and the families of victims and said Iran has been deeply affected by the massacre. The act, which is intended to create division among the Pakistani people, will meet the “filthy objectives” of the enemies of Islam across the globe, the Iranian foreign minister noted. He also urged the Pakistani government, religious figures, and people from all walks of life to take necessary measures to prevent the killing of innocent people. On Saturday, a suicide-bomb targeting Shia Hazaras in a busy market in Pakistani southwestern city of Quetta killed more than 80 people and wounded 200 others. Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which intelligence officials say has become a major security threat, claimed responsibility for the attack.