Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. —APP/File

LAHORE: The terrorist attack on a police centre in the city resulting in several deaths and injuries has been widely condemned by all segments of society.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide blast and sought a report from the inspector general of police. He also expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of lives and directed that best treatment facilities be provided to the injured.

He announced financial assistance of Rs500,000 each for families of the deceased and Rs75,000 for the seriously injured, while Rs25,000 will be given to those who received minor injuries.

He said such cowardly terrorist activities could not weaken the resolve of the nation in the war against terrorism and the scourge of terrorism would be rooted out with the force of national unity.

MPC: A multi-party conference held on Tuesday presided over by JI emir Sirajul Haq condemned the attack.

Participants prayed for early recovery of the injured and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

PAT: Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri condemned the blast and said after the Peshawar school attack, terrorists were sending a message that they could strike and spill innocent blood anywhere, anytime.

Talking to senior party leaders here on phone from Saudi Arabia, he claimed police had prior information depicting failure of the Punjab government in handling law and order. He urged the army chief to probe why the authorities could not act despite prior information about the strike.

He lamented that police were taking down loudspeakers from mosques and detaining imams instead of capturing terrorists. He also said the chief minister would have to decide whether he wanted to continue doing business or run the province.

PTI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab President Ijaz Chaudhry, General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid and others condemned the incident, saying it exposed the hollow claims of foolproof security of the government.

They said police were engaged in giving security cover to the Sharifs and their courtiers at the cost of the masses. They demanded the government take steps for security of masses.

Later, PTI leader Jehangir Tareen and new-entrant Chaudhry Sarwsar visited the injured at Mayo Hospital.

TI: Condemning the terror attack, Tehreek-i-Istaqlal President Rehman Khan Wardag demanded all police officials were posted on merit.

He said law and order could not be improved until favouritism and postings against merit ruled the police department.