World leaders condemn shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner

Washington: Leaders from Pakistan and several other countries condemned a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington late on Saturday, after a gunman opened fire at the hotel hosting the event and prompted the evacuation of United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

According to officials cited in the report, the attacker was armed with a shotgun and fired at a Secret Service agent, bringing the annual media gathering to an abrupt halt as guests took cover. Multiple US news outlets identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen. Trump later told a press conference that the man was acting as a lone wolf.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he was deeply shocked by the incident. "Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, a short while ago."

The prime minister said he was relieved that the US president, the first lady and other attendees were safe. "My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being."

President Asif Ali Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the incident.

Reactions from other countries

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was relieved that Trump, the first lady and guests were safe, and added that political violence had no place in any democracy.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on X that he was shocked by what happened at the dinner in Washington.

"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara were shocked by what he described as the attempted assassination of Trump. He said they were relieved that the president and first lady were safe and strong, and also wished a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer while praising the US Secret Service for swift and decisive action.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was good that Trump and his wife were safe after the incident, and added that violence must never be the way.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned what he called the attack against Trump and said violence was never the answer, adding that humanity would only move forward through democracy, coexistence and peace.

European Commission Vice President Kala Kallas also said political violence had no place in a democracy, and said an event intended to honour a free press should never turn into a scene of fear.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear that the president, the first lady and all attendees at the dinner were safe. He also praised the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for taking swift action.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved to learn that Trump, the first lady and the vice president were safe and unharmed. "Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned," he added.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also condemned the incident on X, saying she was relieved to learn that Trump was safe after the gunshots and adding that violence could never be tolerated anywhere in the world.

The shooting disrupted a high-profile event attended by political figures, journalists and officials, and triggered an immediate security response inside the venue.