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Lahore blast: Pakistan in mourning, Sharif vows to avenge attack

March 29, 2016 08:26 IST

Sadness and fear prevailed as Pakistan is mourning the loss of precious human lives in Gulshan-e-Iqbal suicide attack on Sunday in Lahore.

IMAGE: Family members comfort a woman mourns the death of a relative, who was killed in a blast outside a public park on Sunday, during a funeral in Lahore. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters

Business centres and most of the private schools remained closed while lawyers stayed away from courts to mourn death of at least 72 people in the tragic incident.
Various organisations and public at large arranged vigil in the memory of innocent people including 15 Christians.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 million each for the families of the persons who were killed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to root out the menace of terrorism from the country after more than 70 people were killed in the deadly Taliban suicide bombing in Lahore.

IMAGE: A woman weeps at the funeral of her loved one in Lahore. Over 70 people died in the blast on Sunday for which the Taliban faction has claimed responsibility. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters

“I am here today to reiterate our national resolve to fight the menace of terrorism till it is rooted out from our society,” said Sharif in his address to the nation.

He said Pakistan was conscious of the “every drop of blood of our victims” and those responsible for it will be taken to task.

Sharif said that his government will continue the great mission of transforming Pakistan into a cradle of peace, progress and prosperity.

IMAGE: The country has announced a three-day mourning period after the blast ripped Lahore on Sunday. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters

At least 72 people, mostly women and children, were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the crowded Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park of Allama Iqbal in Lahore where Christians were celebrating Easter.

Sharif said Islam is a religion of peace which had declared that murder of a single human being is like killing the entire mankind.

IMAGE: Even the Pope has condemned the attacks and asked for more security for Christians in the nation. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters
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