Pakistani FM visits Turkish embassy for condolences

By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Head of Pakistan's foreign affairs ministry Sartaj Aziz visited the Turkish embassy in Islamabad to sign the condolence book on the terrorist attacks that took place in Istanbul on Dec. 10, said a statement from foreign ministry on Thursday.
Aziz, who is adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs but effectively acts as foreign minister, expressed deep anguish and sorrow at the terrorist attacks and strongly condemned these atrocious acts. He conveyed his profound thoughts and prayers to those who lost their dear ones and extended deepest sympathies and condolences to the government and brotherly people of Turkey.
He said that the government and people of Pakistan stand firm with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and extremism; those seeking to disturb Turkey’s peace and stability would fail in their nefarious designs.
The Adviser expressed hope that Turkey would defeat the menace of terrorism with its characteristic resolve and continue on the path of peace, security and prosperity.
Saturday’s twin terror attacks -- one by a bomb-laden car and the other a suicide bomb -- against riot police near Besiktas’s Vodafone Arena after a Turkish football league match martyred 44 people and left 155 more wounded.