France strongly condemns bombing in Pakistan

The French authorities on Monday strongly condemned a major bombing in the Pakistani city of Quetta two days ago in which at least 80 people died and more than 200 were wounded. The sectarian attack was aimed at the Hazara community in the province of Baluchistan and follows a series of other attacks in Pakistan. France "renews its solidarity with the Pakistani population and is at its side in the fight against terrorism," a statement said. "France expresses its worry over the increase in attacks aimed at ethnic or religious minorities in Pakistan," as attested by the January 10 attack against the same community targeted on February in Quetta. "France calls on the Pakistani authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure the security of its population and fight against extremist groups present on its territory," the French Foreign Ministry said.