STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD Pakistan has offered assistance to Germany and other ‘like-minded’ states in fighting Islamophobia, after a recent attack on shisha bars in which a suspected far-right extremist shot down nine people, including at least five Turkish nationals. The Foreign Office, in a statement on Friday, said that Pakistan strongly condemned the heinous attacks in Germany’s Hanau, expressing deep concern over rise in Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racial hatred. “Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the rising tide of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racial hatred sweeping across many parts of the world. The attacks once more underscore that violent extremism knows no race, religion or nationality. We reiterate our call for concerted efforts to root out ideologies of hate, as well as address the underlying causes of hate crimes,” read the statement. In the statement, the Foreign Office also extended offer to aid Germany and ‘like-minded states’ in countering Islamophobia and promoting ‘inter-religious and intercivilizational harmony’. The Foreign Office saidthat Pakistan stands with the government and people of Germany, particularly the bereaved families. “We also express our deep condolences to the Turkish Government over the loss of innocent Turkish lives in the shootings. We wish the injured speedy recovery,” said the Foreign Office. The attack late on Wednesday targeted two shisha bars in Hanau, a town close to Frankfurt in the western state of Hesse. Police chased a car used to leave the scene of one shooting to its owner’s address, where they found the bodies of a 43-year-old German man and his 72-year-old mother, Hesse interior minister Peter Beuth said. German federal prosecutors said they had taken charge of the case due to indications that the attack had an extremist motive, and newspaper Bild said the suspect had expressed far-right views in a written confession. Pakistan on Friday also welcomed the announcement of the US-Taliban agreement, saying it looked forward to the February 29 signing of the understanding between the two parties which could pave the way for durable peace in the country and region. The Foreign Office in its statement said: “Pakistan has consistently supported direct negotiations between the US and Taliban. From the outset, Pakistan has facilitated this process and contributed to its progress.” “We believe the signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement will pave the way for the next step of intra-Afghan negotiations,” the statement read. The FO expressed its hope for a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region “Pakistan reaffirms its support for a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours,” the press release read. Pompeo announces agreement expected to be signed on Feb 29 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday announced that the agreement between the country and Taliban will take place on February 29, 2020. “Upon a successful implementation of this understanding, signing of the US-Taliban agreement is expected to move forward,” read a statement from Pompeo after his visit to Saudi Arabia.
