Turkey offers condolences to Pakistan post terror blast

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Prime Minister Binali Yildirim offered condolences to Pakistan on Tuesday following a terror attack in Pakistan’s northeastern city of Lahore that left over a dozen people killed.

On Monday evening, 13 people, including six policemen, were killed and over 80 injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest near a protest in Lahore.

The blast occurred during a protest against pharmaceutical companies outside the State Assembly of Punjab, of which Lahore is the capital.

Yildirim sent a condolence letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Punjab's Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, according to prime ministerial sources who cannot be named due to restrictions on speaking to media.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the terror attack as well.

In a statement, the ministry said: “We strongly condemn this terrorist attack and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, a speedy recovery to the wounded and convey our condolences to the government and brotherly people of Pakistan.

“We reaffirm that Turkey will continue to be in solidarity with brotherly Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.”