The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab chapter and minority wing arranged a vigil on Tuesday at Liberty Chowk in remembrance of victims of the Peshawar church carnage.
MPA Aslam Iqbal, Dr Yasmin Rashid, singer Abrarul Haq, members of the Christian community and PTI Punjab and Lahore office bearers attended the vigil.
They lit candles, held up placards, chanted slogans and offered prayers.
PTI Punjab president Ejaz Chaudhry said that the government should start talks with the Taliban as early as possible. “Such incidents can shatter the unity of a nation,” he said, “It is our religious duty to protect the lives and properties of minority citizens in Pakistan.”
He said that the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa government would ensure foolproof security at all places of worship. “An attack on minorities is an attack on Pakistan,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Main Mehmoodur Rasheed said the government should implement the APC resolution. “Certain elements have nefarious designs to destabilise Pakistan. We will not let them succeed,” Rasheed said.
PTI Lahore president Abdul Aleem Khan said the party and its government in KP would ensure the protection of minorities at any cost.
Samuel Robert Azariah, Bishop of Raiwind, said, “We believe in service not carnage. The Christian community does not support aggression and will remain peaceful.”
PTI Minority wing president MPA Shanila Rout said, “We support peace talks but the government must book the culprits responsible and make an example out of them.”
Bishop Azariah led a prayer service for the families of those who passed away in the church attack.
“Stop killing innocent Pakistanis!” chanted the protesters. They walked from Liberty Chowk to Kalma Chowk and chanted slogans against terrorism.
The district coordination officer and city government officials also arranged a separate vigil in memory of the victims of the Peshawar church blasts at Liberty Chowk.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2013.