Attack on worshippers reflects assailants’ disregard for humanity, religious harmony
PESHAWAR, (APP): People from all walks of life, including the Governor and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have strongly condemned the suicide attack on worshippers at an Imambargah in Islamabad and expressed deep grief and solidarity with the victims’ families.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the suicide blast at the Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai Kalan area, expressing profound sorrow over the tragic loss of precious lives. He described the attack as a cowardly and brutal act, terming it part of a heinous conspiracy by Fitna-al-Khawarij under alleged Indian patronage, aimed at spreading fear and destabilizing peace in Pakistan.
The Governor said that hostile forces would never succeed in their nefarious designs through such despicable acts. He emphasized that the people of Pakistan and the security forces stand united against anti-state elements and would foil all conspiracies with collective resolve, taking the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion. He further stressed that enemies of peace would not be forgiven under any circumstances.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi also strongly condemned the suicide blast, calling it a cowardly and inhumane act. He said that an attack on a place of worship is a heinous crime against humanity and represents the worst form of hostility towards mankind.
The Chief Minister said that targeting worshippers during prayers reflects extreme brutality and intolerance, which has no place in any religion or civilized society. He reaffirmed that the provincial government stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims’ families in this hour of grief and that such cowardly acts cannot weaken the nation’s resolve to defeat terrorism.
He assured that those responsible would be brought to justice and emphasized the need for collective efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.
The brutal assault, which left 31 innocent worshippers dead and over 150 injured during Friday prayers, has once again highlighted the callousness of elements that prey on the most vulnerable segments of society.
This despicable act is not an isolated incident in Pakistan but part of a sinister pattern by anti-state elements seeking to destabilize the country’s social fabric by targeting innocent civilians and worshipers.
The attack also serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of peace when terrorism thrives in the shadows of social division, unemployment, illiteracy, and economic inequality.
“Societies where illiteracy, unemployment, and poverty prevail are easily infiltrated by extremism and terrorism, as witnessed recently in Balochistan,” said Dr Syed Ikhtar Ali Shah, former IGP and Home Secretary, while talking to APP.
He said that the attackers deliberately chose a soft target by assaulting innocent worshippers at the Imambargah in Tarlai in an attempt to create chaos and division in society, but failed in their nefarious objectives. He stressed that religious scholars, intellegnsia and educated class pose a threat to terrorists’ ambitions.
Dr Akhtar Ali Shah further highlighted alleged foreign involvement in such attacks, stating that Indian proxies, using outlawed terrorist groups such as the TTP and BLA, have exploited grievances in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The rapid development under CPEC has unsettled hostile forces and Indian proxies in Balochistan where terrorism is being used as a tool to derail progress on CPEC projects,” he added.
Dr Abdul Ghafoor, former Chairman of Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre Peshawar, also condemned the attack on Imambargh at Islamabad and demanded that the culprits be brought to justice. He observed that a society that favors elites while neglecting the poor creates fertile ground for resentment and radicalization which can be countered through investment in education.
He emphasized that discontent among underprivileged communities provides a breeding ground for extremist ideologies that promise false redemption through negative rhetoric.
He called for addressing class disparities, promoting job creation, and reforming religious seminaries to foster inclusive education and sustainable peace. “Social cohesion, interfaith harmony and equal opportunities are not merely democratic ideals but essential tools in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Saima Hanif, a university lecturer, pointed out that the lack of development and sports facilities in tribal and remote regions contributes significantly to radicalization. “Youth need positive engagement, not alienation,” she said, adding that reviving hujra culture, cinemas, and traditional sports in villages could play a key role in countering extremism.
She stressed the importance of community-based initiatives, including seminars, awareness campaigns, and educational reforms, to reshape public narratives and counter extremist propaganda.
“The role of civil society, educators, parliamentarians, and religious leaders is critical in rebuilding trust and promoting a culture of peace and mutual coexistence, irrespective of caste, creed, or color,” she added.
Dr Ebad Khan, opposition leader in the KP Assembly, also condemned the Imambargah blast in Islamabad. He recalled the significant progress made following the 2014 APS tragedy under the government of Nawaz Sharif, including the formulation of the National Action Plan (NAP), establishment of NACTA, and the creation of speedy anti-terrorism courts to dismantle terrorist networks such as the TTP.
He further said that the PML-N government prioritized youth engagement through initiatives such as free laptops, scholarships, and soft loans. These programs, he noted, empowered young people and helped distance them from extremist influences.
Experts unanimously agreed that defeating terrorism and extremism requires collective efforts.
He said a comprehensive societal transformation rooted in religious tolerance, education, economic justice, and national unity besides educational reforms can help promotes tolerance, critical thinking, and national identity.
They emphasized that the time has come to move beyond reactive measures. A proactive, inclusive, and united approach is the only way forward, as terrorism thrives in divided societies and perishes in united ones.
Religious scholars and civil society were urged to channel this moment of collective grief into renewed resolve to bridge societal divides, uplift marginalized communities, and ensure education for all. Only then, they said, can the vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and terror-free Pakistan be realized.
