According to the police, the target was the leader Maulana Abdul Qadir Luni, who was injured. Throughout the country there were demonstrations for "Palestine Solidarity Day".
Chaman (AsiaNews) - Seven people were killed and seventeen wounded in a demonstration in favor of the Palestinian people, when a bomb exploded yesterday at the Murghi Bazaar in Chaman (Balochistan), during the "Palestine Solidarity Day" launched by various Islamic organizations in the country. Chaman's was organized by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam - Nazaryati (JUI).
The bomb went off near the vehicle of Abdul Qadir Luni, deputy head of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, who was injured. The whole area of the Murghi Bazaar was isolated and local hospitals treated the injured. Many of them were taken to Chaman hospital, others to Quetta.
According to the police, the target of the attack was Maulana Abdul Qadir Luni. The explosive had been placed on a motorcycle parked near the venue and operated with a remote control just as the Maulana Luni was leaving the stage along with other leaders and staff.
Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, condemned the attack, reiterating that the terrorists deserve no respite and no one will be allowed to disturb the law and order of the province.
Palestine Day was celebrated in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Attock, Taxila and other cities, with strong criticism of Israel and in defense of the people of Gaza.
Shahbaz Sharif, president of the PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-N) stressed that the massacres of people in Palestine are similar to the massacres that take place in Kashmir. Both problems must be solved in accordance with UN resolutions. If these problems are not solved, he added, there will be no peace in the world.
The pastor of St Anthony's Church in Karachi, Fr. Arthur Charles expressed his bitterness over the "vandalism" of the Israeli occupation, which offends not only the Palestinians, but the whole world. He also said he supports the two-state solution: "Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to exist and to live in peace and security within the borders recognized by the international community."