Turkey stands by Pakistan in its hard days: President Erdoğan

In a written statement released on the presidency's official website, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the deadly suicide bombing in a public park in Lahore, Pakistan that killed more than 70 and left hundreds wounded. He said that the attack on the park where there were mostly children and families revealed that terror has no borders or values.

"The attack is a test for countries to show their sincere stance against terrorism," the statement read. "May God rest the souls of the victims in peace," Erdoğan said. "I wish a quick recovery for the civilians wounded in the attack," he added and extended his condolences to Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif.

Reiterating Turkey's commitment in the fight against terror, Erdoğan said that Turkey stands by Pakistan in its hard days.

I strongly condemn the terrorist attack that took place in Lahore yesterday. Turkey stands by Pakistan as it always has been. #LahoreBlast

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RT_Erdogan) March 28, 2016

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also condemned the attack while in Jordan. Prime ministerial sources said Davutoğlu sent condolence messages to Prime Minister Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Sharif late Sunday. "Our country will resolutely continue to be in solidarity with brotherly Pakistan in its fight against terrorism," he said in his message. Davutoğlu also wished "God's mercy" on those who lost their lives, offered his condolences to the Pakistani people and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Presidential spokesman İbrahim Kalın also condemned the terror attack and wished "God's mercy" on those who died and a speedy recovery for the injured. "The attacks in Ankara, Istanbul and Brussels that claimed lives of hundreds of people will be on our agenda for a while. But before the attacks, there was another one in Ivory Coast. In Baghdad, recently, another attack was carried out in a stadium. Nigeria faced terror attacks on March 14 to March 16 and Egypt's el-Arish was also chosen as a target. We condemn all of these attacks with the same steadiness," he said at a press conference in Ankara yesterday.

A bomb blast in a park in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday has killed 72 people and wounded at least 300, said Deeba Shahnaz, a spokesman for Lahore rescue administration.

Punjab's chief minister Shahbaz Sharif announced three days of mourning and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice, said Zaeem Qadri, a spokesman for the provincial government.

Later on the same day, a Taliban splinter group named Tehreek-e-Taliban claimed the attack. The group is said to be the Pakistani wing of the terrorist organization.

Many of the injured are in a critical condition, Salman Rafiq, a health adviser to the chief minister of Punjab province said.