Indian HC cancels Iftar party to show solidarity towards those killed in Saturday's blast

Islamabad, Sept 23 : As a mark of solidarity and sympathy towards those killed in Saturday's hotel suicide attack and their families, the Indian High Commission had cancelled an Iftar party scheduled for Sept 25.

A statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad said that in the aftermath of terrorist attack, in which so many innocent lives were lost and injured, it would be inappropriate to hold the reception.

"Accordingly, in solidarity with our friends in Pakistan, whose grief we share, we are calling off the reception," the Daily Times quoted the statement as saying.

Meanwhile, people have started avoiding Iftar parties at hotels and restaurants, evennas most organisations cancelled their Iftar parties after the recent blast which claimed at least 60 lives and injured more than 200 people.

According to the paper, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) cancelled an Iftar dinner it had scheduled for Monday because of the blast. The managers of various hotels and restaurants said that while they were taking increased security measures, people were still canceling their bookings for Iftar parties.

Besides government organisations, several public sector units also used to host Iftar parties at various renowned hotels and restaurants during Ramazan in the past, but following the recent Islamabad blast, they have also called off all programmes, added the paper.

The business of all major five and four star hotels has also dropped as customers fear that another similar suicide attack might occur anywhere.

ANI