Shocked at suicide blast, UK promises to continue improving security in Pak

The UK has reportedly expressed shock at yesterdays suicide attack on a hotel in Islamabad killing around 50 people and injuring more than 200.

London, Sept 21 : The UK has reportedly expressed shock at yesterday's suicide attack on a hotel in Islamabad killing around 50 people and injuring more than 200.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that his country would continue improving Pakistan's security and overall development even after the blast.

"Our help for the government of Pakistan is obviously on the security side, we have shared interests on the Afghan-Pakistan border because obviously British troops are in danger in Afghanistan," the Daily Times quoted Miliband as saying in an interview with BBC.

He added: "We also want to support their economic and social development because in the longer term that is critical to winnowing out the extremists, marginalising the extremists and to make sure that the decent majority in Pakistan turn their face against this violent extremism."

Meamwhile, the British Foreign Office said that at least four British citizens were injured in the bombing, and added that they were receiving treatment in hospital but their condition was unknown.

U-N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the suicide attack, saying that no cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.

On the behalf of the UN chief, his spokesperson said he strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack in Islamabad. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the government and people of Pakistan.

ANI