Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned a series of deadly attacks targeting a bus, a hospital facility and a historic house in Pakistan, which killed at least 20 civilians, many of whom were female students. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said no cause justifies such violence, and noted with dismay that "violence against women and educators has increased in recent years, the aim being to keep girls from attaining the basic right to education." According to media reports, a hidden bomb exploded in a bus carrying female students to a university in the town of Quetta. Gunmen then stormed the nearby hospital complex where the victims had been taken. At least 20 people died and many more were injured. A few hours before, a rocket hit the Quaid Azam Residency in Ziarat, which has historical importance as it was used by Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Mr. Ban called on the Government "to do all possible to bring the perpetrators to justice" and expressed the UN's solidarity "in the face of continued terrorist violence in Pakistan." The Secretary-General also sent his condolences to the victims, their families, and the Government of Pakistan. BN
