UN chief strongly condemns suicide blast in Pakistan

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon on Saturday strongly condemned a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed 10 people including a senior provincial minister. "The secretary-general strongly condemns the terrorist suicide bombing that killed Mr. Bashir Bilour, a prominent Pakistani politician and senior minister in the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson. "He conveys his sincere condolences on this tragic loss," the statement added. In the statement, the UN chief also reiterated the strong support of the world body for the efforts of the government and people of Pakistan to combat the scourge of terrorism. Ten people were killed and at least 17 others injured in the suicide blast that hit a political gathering in Pakistan's northwest city of Peshawar on Saturday evening, according to media reports and UN information. The 70-year-old Bilour was a leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), the ruling party in the northwestern Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Taliban has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.