Another bomb blast in a series of recent attacks on innocent civilians across Pakistan shook the streets of Lahore on 17th February at 12:45 pm (PST), prompting strong condemnation by the leader of one of the largest political parties in the country, MQM.
The blast killed 8 people and injured at least 15 after the bomber reportedly blew himself up near the police headquarters in Lahore. The responsibility for the attack was subsequently claimed by Jamaat Ul Ahrar, a faction of TTP.
MQM’s chief, Altaf Hussain, strongly condemned the blast and said, "The suicide attack in the Police Lines area is an effort to discourage the law enforcement agencies from taking decisive action against terrorists in Pakistan. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of killing unarmed and innocent civilians and my heart goes out to the families of the victims."
MQM has been extremely vocal against the increasing religious extremism in Pakistan for more than a decade as a result four of its parliamentarians and hundreds of workers have been killed by religious extremists.