Police are investigating whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
The explosion has ripped through the Islamabad mosque of Khadija Al-Kubra (Image: Getty)
A huge explosion has ripped through a mosque during Friday morning prayers, killing at least 31 people. The suspected suicide bombing injured a further 169 people at a Shi’ite mosque in Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad, a government official said. Asif Ali Zardari, the country’s president, called the attack a “crime against humanity”.
He said: “The nation stands with the affected families in this difficult time,” he said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a full investigation as officials determine whether it was a suicide mission. He said: “Those who are responsible must be identified and punished.”
The explosion killed at least 31 people. (Image: Getty)
Two anonymous police officials said the suspect was stopped at the gates of the mosque before they set of a bomb.
Police sources also told CNN that internal investigations already suggest that Pakistan’s Taliban, or Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was behind it, though no group has taken responsibility.
Foreign minister Ishaq Dar called it “terrorism” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
He said: “Targeting places of worship and civilians is a heinous crime against humanity and a blatant violation of Islamic principles.
“Pakistan stands united against terrorism in all its forms. This barbarity will not intimidate us and extremists will be brought to full account.”
The wounded have been sent to nearby hospitals, where medical professionals remain on high alert.
Pakistan’s Institute Of Medical Science has urged those living in the capital city or nearby Rawalpindi to donate blood, which could potentially save lives as hospitals deal with an influx of patients.
Britain’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, condemned the attack as “abhorrent”
She said: “Outraged and heartbroken by the horrific attack at Imambargah in Islamabad during Friday prayers. My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and their families.”
Huge petition calling for General Election hits massive milestone as Government responds
Ministers have responded to the huge document with Parliament not set to debate it.
Keir Starmer is facing a huge call from the public to hold a new general election (Image: Getty)
A petition calling for a General Election has been signed by 183,000 people, and the Government has responded. The online document set up by Robert JF Barnes states: “On July 4, 2024, Sir Keir Starmer was elected as Prime Minister. Since then, his Government has introduced measures that were not included in the Labour Party’s manifesto.
“We believe we were misled, and the obfuscation has only got worse since Starmer took power. It is time for action. We believe the Government has failed to defend our borders from the small boats. We have no confidence in the way this Government has acted. Pensioners and farmers have been directly affected by policies that were not included in Labour’s manifesto.
“Our country cannot go on like this. Dissolve Parliament and call a General Election now!” Parliament’s Petitions Committee decided not to schedule a debate on this petition. Officials said: “The Committee recognised the support that this petition has received. However, the issue raised by this petition has recently been discussed by MPs in a petition debate on this topic.”
The Government responded to the petition on January 21. It said: “The Government holds office eby virtue of bing able to command the confidence of the House of Commons, whose members are elected by the public. There are no plans to change these arrangements.
“The Prime Minister can call a General Election at a time of their choosing by requesting a dissolution of Parliament from the Sovereign within the five-year life of a Parliament. The Government was elected by the British people on a mandate of change at the July 2024 General Election.
“This Government remains focused on delivering the change the country voted for at the last General Election. Since coming into office, we have restored stability across Government and secured £340 billion of investment into our country.
“Wages under this Government have increased more during our first year in office than under the previous 10 years of the last Government.
“We have reduced NHS waiting lists by 225,000 and rolled out thousands of free breakfast clubs across the country.”
Ministers added: “We have also increased the National Minimum Wage and our manifesto pledge to introduce an Employment Rights Act has now been passed into law.
“We recognise people across the country want to see change in their everyday lives. As a result of the decisions this Government has taken, families will see £150 come off their energy bills this year, rail fares will remain frozen for the first time in 30 years, and NHS prescription charges will be capped below £10.
“The Government will continue to deliver the manifesto of change that it was elected on.”
