- FO reiterates condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, manifestations
Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians in Minya province of Egypt, resulting in the loss of numerous precious lives and injuries to many.
In a statement here on Sunday, the Foreign Office stated that the people and the government of Pakistan extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for early recovery of the injured.
“Pakistani nation stands in solidarity with the people and government of Egypt in their struggle against the scourge of terrorism,” it said. Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The death toll in Friday’s attack on buses carrying Coptic Christians in Egypt has risen to 29, officials said. The buses were on a desert road headed to a monastery in the Minya governorate when assailants wearing fatigues and masks fired on them from three four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Coptic Christians were traveling to St Samuel the Confessor, around 62 miles (100 kilometres) northwest of the city of Minya, when they came under fire, the Interior Ministry said. Coptic Christians make up about 10% of Egypt’s population of 91 million. They base their theology on the teachings of the apostle Mark, who introduced Christianity to Egypt.
In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement that President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have respectively sent messages of condolences to Egyptian president, prime minister and foreign minister.