Paris attacks: Khawaja Asif extends condolences to the French

Published November 16, 2015
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (2L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (2L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks, at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to victims of the November 13 Paris attacks, at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday extended his condolences to the French for the lives lost during the coordinated Nov 13 terrorist attacks which hit parts of Paris.

Asif wrote a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad and observed a minute of silence alongside the staff in honour of the victims of the attack. French Ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance looked on as the Defence Minister added his condolences to the book.

French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (R) watches as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif writes a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP
French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (R) watches as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif writes a message in a condolence book at the French Embassy in Islamabad. ─ AFP

At least 129 people were killed in the attacks claimed by the self-styled Islamic State group in the French capital. Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked various locations, including a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium.

Pakistan had earlier "strongly" condemned the attacks and reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

"We stand with them in their hour of grief," the Foreign Office said in an earlier statement.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal had said there were no Pakistanis among those killed or injured in the attacks.

In an apparent reference to the deadly terrorist attacks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said on Sunday that the recent incidents of terrorism may lead to problems for overseas Pakistanis.

The French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to the victims. ─ AFP
The French ambassador to Pakistan Martine Dorance (C), Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (C-L) and staff members attend a minute of silence in tribute to the victims. ─ AFP

After the attacks, France launched "massive" air strikes on the IS group's de facto capital in Syria Sunday night, destroying a militant training camp and a munitions dump in the city of Raqqa in Syria, where Iraqi intelligence officials say the attacks on Paris were planned.

French police have already announced seven arrests and hunted for more members of the sleeper cell that carried out the attacks.

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