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Page last updated at 15:27 GMT, Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Lahore: A city in shock

Residents of Lahore voice their fears for the future as their city reels from the attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team.

AATEKAH MIR-KHAN, MEDIA RESEARCHER
Aatekah Mir-Khan
I was worried before, I am even more worried now

My first reaction to yesterday's attack was one of complete shock. I knew there was a political protest and I assumed that it had escalated into violence.

I could never have imagined that someone would attack the Sri Lankan cricket team.

We went out last night and although people seemed to be going about their business as usual, there was fear in the air. Whenever a car would slow down I found myself looking at the people inside, watching out for guns coming out of the windows.

People are becoming paranoid. No-one understands why this is happening.

The media coverage has highlighted the antagonism between Pakistan and India, with both countries saying the other is to blame for the attack.

Who would want to tarnish Pakistan's image to such an extent?

The world was already critical of Pakistan. There's no question in my mind that no-one will come here anymore. There'll be no tourists, investors or sportsmen.

I was worried before, I am even more worried now. I am an independent woman: I wear what I want and I go where I want.

But with such extremist elements in our society, I fear our future is not a good one.

NAVEED KHAN, DOCTOR

Our city is still recovering from the state of absolute shock after this horrible incident.

I hope the injured cricketers are fine. I want to thank them for coming and send my wishes for their well-being to them and their families.

We regret this attack, but we are not responsible and I think there should be more sympathy for Pakistan.

Cricket in Pakistan has been damaged and it will take some time to recover

I don't know who the attackers are, but one thing is certain: they've damaged something everybody in this country loves.

Those people are not just enemies of cricket, they are enemies of civility.

People in the UK are crazy about football, we are crazy about cricket. Cricket is like a religion here and people are very emotional about this.

Cricket's popularity at grassroot levels won't die for another 200 years. But international cricket in Pakistan has been damaged and it will take some time to recover.

Other cricketing nations in the region, Australia, Sri Lanka and India, should support Pakistan in this.

MARYAM SOOFI, LAW STUDENT
Maryam Soofi
Our country is becoming a failed state

There is shock and disappointment everywhere in Lahore.

This is hurting every citizen of this country. Sport delivers the message of peace and friendship.

But enemies don't want Pakistan to enjoy peace and friends. They want it to be isolated from the rest of the world.

Whoever these people are, we never thought they would come to this.

People in Lahore, unlike other cities, like Karachi, are not used to witnessing such attacks. It's only in the past two years that terrorist attacks started happening here too.

Life has changed for the people of Lahore. There is a strong sense of insecurity now. We have to be careful when we go out shopping or go to see a film. People with small children are particularly worried when they take their kids to school.

This attack could have been prevented. The security was pathetic. Our policemen died and none of the attackers were killed or captured.

We have a strong and brave army. How come they can't protect us?

This government has done nothing and our country is becoming a failed state.

SALMAN FAREED, TELECOMMUNICATIONS WORKER
Salman Fareed
There's no future for sport in our country
We are in complete shock. Sport is about peace. Sportsmen are the ambassadors from another country and since ancient times it's been considered that harming them is a cowardly act.

I don't know who these people are. I can't imagine who would want to inflict such a damage to Pakistan's image abroad.

We love sport and we praise Sri Lankan sportsmen for coming to Pakistan. What happened is tragic because Sri Lanka is the only country from our region still willing to send their team to Pakistan. Australia and India both cancelled their cricket teams' visits last year.

Not only do I not see any future for cricket in Pakistan - I don't think there's a future for any sport in our country. Who will want to come after this?

Business is also going to be badly affected. We need development in so many areas, infrastructure. I am afraid that nobody will want to do business with Pakistan anymore.



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