President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has strongly condemned an Easter Sunday bombing that killed 65 people in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.

The statement was posted on the President's official Twitter account, @Jokowi, at 6:05 a.m. on Monday.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the bombing in Lahore. Terror is not allowed by any name. Deep condolences to the victims, Pakistani people," Jokowi wrote.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said based on information from the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad, no Indonesian citizens had been named among the victims.

As quoted by the Cabinet secretariat's website, www.setkab.go.id, the Foreign Ministry also condemned the bombing in Lahore, which the Pakistani faction of the militant Taliban group has claimed responsibility for.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said through the ministry's official Twitter account, @Portal_Kemlu_RI, that on behalf of the Indonesian government and its citizens, she sent sympathy and deep condolences to the victims and their families.

On Sunday, a deadly blast occurred near children's play equipment in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park where a suspected suicide bomber from the Taliban killed 65 people and wounded over 300.

The Associated Press reported that the bombing deliberately targeted crowds of Christians at the park, including many children, during the holy day of Easter.

Prime ministers from around the world such as Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have spoken up on behalf of their countries, condemning the act of terrorism as well as expressing condolences and prayers through their Twitter accounts.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the bombing through an official UN statement. He called for the perpetrators of the terrorist act to be brought to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.

Source:
courtesy of THE JAKARTA POST

by Marguerite Afra Sapiie

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