UNSC condemns 'heinous and cowardly' terrorist attack in Peshawar

• UNSC members express deepest sympathy and condolences to victims of Peshawar mosque blast.
• Statement urges all states to “cooperate actively” with Pakistani govt to bring preparators to justice.
• Pakistan thanks China for “proposing press statement and UAE for securing consensus on it”.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the “heinous and cowardly” terrorist attack on a Mosque in Peshawar.

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that took place at the Koocha Risaldar Mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Friday, March 4 2022,” said United Arab Emirates envoy Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, who is serving as the UNSC president.

The statement said that the UNSC members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and the Pakistani government.

“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” read the statement.

The statement underscored the need to “bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice”. The statement also urged all states to “cooperate actively” with the Pakistani government.

“The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” said the statement.

After the statement was released, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram thanked UN chief Antonio Guterres, United Nations Alliance of Civilisations.

The envoy especially thanked China for “proposing the press statement and UAE for securing consensus on it and issuing the statement to condemn the terrorist attack in Peshawar”.

More than 60 people lost their lives, while close to 200 were injured in a suicide bomb attack during Friday prayers at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar on Friday, police and rescue workers said.