The National Assembly offered Fateha for those martyred in the terrorist attacks in Iran. The members strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on the Iranian Parliament and mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini. They said that the whole nation stands with the Iranian brethren in this hour of grief. They said that terrorism is a common threat and collective efforts are needed for its eradication. Speaking on the issue of diplomatic rift among some Muslim countries, the members said that the Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and all other Muslim countries are equally important for Pakistan. They said that Pakistan should play a neutral role to mediate for the amicable resolution of the differences among the Muslim countries. The National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution strongly condemning the terrorist attacks on Iranian Parliament and mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini. The resolution reiterated the resolve to jointly combat the menace of terrorism with our neighbours in the region.Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked Iran’s parliament and the shrine of its revolutionary leader, killing at least 12 people, wounding dozens and igniting an hours-long siege at the legislature that ended with four attackers dead. The militant Islamic State group claimed the attacks, marking the first time IS has taken responsibility for an assault in Iran. The militants are at war with Iranian-backed forces in Syria and Iraq. The attacks began mid-morning when assailants armed with Kalashnikov rifles stormed the parliament building. One of the attackers later blew himself up inside, where a session had been in progress. Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari told that the apparently male attackers wore women’s attire. The IS group’s Aamaq news agency released a 24-second video purportedly shot inside the parliament building during the siege.
Shops in the area were shuttered, and gunfire could be heard. Witnesses said the attackers were shooting from the fourth floor of the parliament building down at people in the streets below. Police helicopters circled over the parliament building and all mobile phone lines from inside were disconnected. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called the attack a cowardly act. Soon after the parliament attack, a suicide bomber and other assailants targeted the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini located just outside the capital. It said a security guard was killed and that one of the attackers was killed by security guards. A woman was also arrested. The head of the anti-terrorism department in the Iranian Intelligence Ministry said they foiled a third terrorist plot. The incident also showed that IS is establishing its foothold in the region especially in Afghanistan because of lack of control by Kabul Government on its own territory. Muslims are being blamed of extremism and terrorism but they are direct and worst victim of the menace. Muslim world should unite against terrorists and take measures to bring all Muslim countries to one platform to eliminate terrorism form the Muslim countries. The terrorism is increasing in different countries of the world. The sincere efforts at global level are required to fight against this menace for a peaceful world.
