Lahore blast: Malala Yousafzai condemns 'senseless killing' of 70 people in Pakistan bombing
The Pakistan-born activist was shot by the Taliban in 2012
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Nobel laureate and Pakistani-born education activist Malala Yousafzai has said she is “devastated” by the bombing in Lahore which has left at least 70 people dead and 300 injured.
She called for unity in the face of the attack and expressed sympathy for the families of the victims.
It is believed the bomb was targeted at Christian families who were in a park celebrating Easter.
“I am devastated by the senseless killing of innocent people today in Lahore,” Ms Yousafzai said in a statement.
“My heart goes out the victims and their families and friends.
“I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms.
“We stand together with the families of the victims.
“Pakistan and the world must unite. Every life is precious and must be protected.”
Ms Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban in 2012 after campaigning for the rights of girls to attend school in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan, where the militant Islamist group had influence.
She is now an international advocate for access to education and the world's youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
The Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahra has claimed responsibility for the attack and admitted it was religiously motivated.
"The target was Christians," said Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the group.
"We want to send this message to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that we have entered Lahore."
The group has been fighting an insurgency and aims to overthrow the government and establish Islamic law.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments