Foreign Minister condemns terrorist attack in Islamabad

“The Government condemns today’s terrorist attack outside the Marriott Hotel,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “We have expressed to the Pakistani authorities our sympathy at the loss of so many lives and requested that this be conveyed to the relatives.”

“There is no justification for killing innocent civilians, and I can only express my outrage at such a despicable act,” said Mr Støre.

“This is a difficult situation for Pakistan. Now it is important to support the recent democratic progress in the country,” said the Foreign Minister.

The Norwegian ambassador’s residence is located in the same part of Islamabad as the Marriott Hotel. The explosion caused material damage to the residence, but there are no reports of any embassy personnel being injured.

Nor does the Foreign Ministry have any reports this evening of other Norwegian nationals being injured as a result of today’s attack.

The Norwegian embassy in Islamabad is working this evening to contact Norwegian nationals registered as being in Pakistan.

Norwegian nationals who are in or planning to travel to Pakistan are encouraged to contact the embassy in Islamabad for updated information and to register. For more information see www.norway.org.pk.