AHRC condemns Islamabad attack; Demands inquiry

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) today condemned the attack in Pakistani capital Islamabad, where the country's suspended chief justice was due to speak, and demanded an inquiry into the incident.

''AHRC condemns the attack at the venue of the meeting at which the Chief Justice was to speak and the senseless death of innocent civilians. We call for an inquiry,'' the human rights watchdog said in a statement here.

As many as 12 people were killed in the apparent suicide bomb attack outside a court.

The Hong Kong-based pressure group said government had failed to provide protection to the highest judicial officers of the country.

''The incident indicates that it was meant to intimidate, if not seriously injure or even kill the Chief Justice,'' it added.

''Notice of the rally was sent out five days earlier so there can be no excuse that the government was unable to prepare security,'' it said.

AHRC said it was concerned that the Pervez Musharraf-led government intended to create a situation that would justify the imposition of emergency in the country.

''The continued bloody incidents simultaneously in the different parts of the country and so many killings during different attacks, including those on more than two dozen security personnel show that the government is planning to take advantage of the bloodshed to impose some ultra constitutional steps in the country,'' it added.

The pressure group called on the government to probe the attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

UNI