Enemies trying to create ethnic, sectarian divide through recent attacks: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The Army said on Wednesday that enemies of Pakistan, hostile intelligence agencies and anti-state elements, are deliberately trying to create ethnic and sectarian divide through recent terrorist attacks.

The Army statement, released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), further said that “our enemy is now trying to target and fragment us along sectarian, ethnic lines which merits a unified national response”.

The statement by the military’s media wing comes after a spate of recent attacks in Quetta and Parachinar claiming more than 70 lives and leaving dozens injured. The attacks, all on June 23, shook the country after it had witnessed a period of relative calm.

“The ongoing malicious campaign of enemies of Pakistan which is also being spread on social media is highly regrettable and we all need to be cognizant of it,” added the ISPR statement.

“For us every Shaheed / injured is equal regardless of sect / ethnicity and indeed is a great loss,” ISPR quoted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying.

The army chief added that the religious rights of minorities are fully respected.

COAS meets clerics from all sects

Gen Bajwa has met clergy from all sects in the previous few days for their positive involvement in defeating this “ongoing sinister campaign”, said ISPR.

The statement further added that those responsible for the attacks in Parachinar will be brought to justice and the families of the victims will be compensated without any discrimination.

“Alhamdulillah, we have brought the security situation in country including Fata under control and shall not allow its regression under any cost,” said the army chief.