Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary has said that hostile foreign elements were involved in the terrorist attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi.
Addressing an event in Islamabad on Monday in connection with collecting donations for two policemen who sacrificed their lives in foiling the terrorist attack on the Chinese consulate.
“These forces cannot sabotage the Pak-China relations that are deep rooted and time tested”, Chaudhry said.
The information minister said the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China has further strengthened these relations in different spheres including economy and defense.
“This close collaboration is itching in the eyes of certain forces which is why they are resorting to such cowardly acts”, Fawad said.
He said the world fully knows as to who stands for peace and stability in the region and who is trying to sabotage it.
Recounting the sacrifices rendered by the security forces and the people of Pakistan in the war on terror, he reaffirmed the commitment to overcome the menace at all costs.
The information minister appreciated the Chinese people’s initiative of collecting donations for the martyrs of the Chinese consulate attack. He said this gesture clearly reflects the strong bonds between the two countries despite all these odds.
Fawad Chaudhary said the government of Pakistan and China fully stand by the families of the victims of the terrorist attack.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy Zhao Lijian informed the gathering that Chinese community in Pakistan including businessmen and students as well as Chinese living in other countries are making contributions in donations to show their respect and love for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice in defending the Chinese consulate and its staff. He said similar events will also be organized in other cities including Beijing.
Zhao Lijian asserted that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in the hearts of the peoples. He said those trying to sabotage Pak-China relations through such attacks will never succeed in their designs.
The security forces on Friday foiled an attack on the Chinese consulate in Clifton area of Karachi, killing all three terrorists and seizing hand grenades, Kalashnikov bullets, magazines and explosives.
Two policemen, ASI Ashraf Dawood and Constable Amir, were martyred during the operation against the terrorists.
According to police,two civilians, a father and a son who had come from Quetta for visas, were also killed, while, a security guard was critically injured.
