Washington: Condemning the terrorist attack on the political rally of the former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, the US has said no political cause can justify the murder of innocent people.
"The US condemns the terrorist attacks in Karachi during a peaceful political rally for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. There is no political cause that can justify the murder of innocent people," the State Department has said in a statement.
"Those responsible seek only to foster fear and limit freedom. We note that President Pervez Musharraf and the Government of Pakistan have condemned the attack as well. The US stands with the people of Pakistan to eliminate the threat of terrorism, and to build an open, democratic, and peaceful society," it said.
The Chair of the powerful House Committee on Foreign Affairs Tom Lantos condemned the attack calling it "cowardly terrorism" and that it is all the more the reason that forces of moderation and democracy must prevail in Pakistan.
"The attack directed at former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her supporters was absolutely abhorrent. Miraculously, she escaped the malicious attempt to silence her, but over a hundred innocent Pakistanis were not so fortunate and have paid for this act of cowardly terrorism many with their lives. I wholeheartedly condemn the perpetrators of this reprehensible act of violence," Lantos said in a statement.
"The tragedy (blasts) is all the more reason that the forces of moderation and democracy need to prevail in Pakistan, a vision that Madam Bhutto and I share and have discussed. My condolences go out to the families of the innocent victims, and I will do all that I can to support a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pakistan," Lantos said. Prior to the blast the State Department maintained that it is the goal of the United States to see the country develop its democracy to continue its advance toward being a peaceful, modern, moderate Islamic state.
"We certainly want to see, as part of that process, free, fair and transparent elections take place. Those elections should involve all parties that are legitimate forces in the Pakistani political system. Certainly, that would include former Prime Minister Bhutto's party," Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said in his briefing.
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