Pakistani MP injured as suicide blast at his residence kills 30

At least 30 persons were killed and more than 53 others injured in a suicide blast at the residence of a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly in Bhakkar city of the Punjab province on Monday. MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani, at whose residence blast occurred, received minor injuries in the incident, his brother Saeed Akbar Nawani confirmed, saying that the legislator was safe and only received minor bruises in the suicide blast. Talking to Geo News, Saeed Akbar Nawani said neither his brother nor he had received any threat from anyone as they always tried to maintain a friendly relationship with others. The Interior Ministry confirmed death of 20 people and put the number of injured at 35 but the private television channels reported that at least 30 persons were killed and over 53 injured, many of them critically. “The MNA is among the injured. Some of the wounded are in serious condition,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said. The police officer said that people were exchanging Eid greetings with the MNA at the time of the blast. “It will be premature to say who is responsible for the attack,” he said. “Evidence is being collected from the blast site which has been cordoned off by the police.” The head of the suicide bomber has been found and a suicide jacket was also found from the site of the blast while an Afghan currency note was found on the suicide attacker, a Geo News correspondent reported. According to eyewitnesses, Rasheed Akbar Nawani, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League of former Prime Minister Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif, was exchanging Eid greetings with the people when a man with curly hair entered the premises and tried to get closer to the legislator but failed, as the place was jam-packed with people. He then detonated the explosives strapped on him which ripped his body into pieces. The injured were removed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Bhakkar. Strongly condemning the blast, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz SharifShahbaz Sharif issued directives to the concerned authorities to immediately carry out investigation into the incident besides providing relief to the injured. President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also condemned the suicide attack in the strongest terms. The prime minister announced Rs300,000 for the heirs of the deceased and Rs100,000 each for the injured. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman and self-exiled chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf HussainAltaf Hussain also condemned the blast.