The arson attack on Christian residents of Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh, three weeks ago was tragic and intolerable and such an incident must never be allowed to happen again, said Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi here on Saturday.
Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat concerning the reconstruction of homes in Joseph Colony, Sethi said no religion allowed “such an inhuman and barbaric act”, according to a press release from the Directorate General of Public Relations.
He said that all segments of society must play an active role in promoting tolerance and peace. The attack had not only resulted in the victimisation of a minority, but also damaged Pakistan’s image in the rest of the world. Inter-religious harmony was the need of the hour, he added.
The caretaker chief minister said all Pakistani citizens, regardless of religion, were equal before the law and protecting the lives and properties of citizens was the responsibility of the state. Christians had played an important role in the establishment and development of Pakistan, he said. Christian schools and universities, for example, were a crucial part of the education sector. He directed the authorities concerned to adopt an effective and concrete strategy for the protection of minorities.
The chief secretary, the advocate general, the home, law and communication and works secretaries, the IG and additional IGs, the commissioner, the capital city police officer and the director general of the Lahore Development Authority also attended the meeting.
Sethi was briefed on the reconstruction work at Badami Bagh. The communication and works secretary said that financial compensation in the form of Rs500,000 cheques had been handed out to 268 families. The repair of damaged houses had been completed while rebuilding was underway. The police have set up a permanent post at Joseph Colony.
Law and order
At another meeting discussing law and order at the CM’s Secretariat, the caretaker chief minister directed the police to make sure that the ban on wall chalking is implemented and banners and posters espousing hatred against any group are removed immediately throughout the province.
Sethi said that improved law and order was his top priority and essential for the conduct of free elections. He said that voters must be able to go to the polls in peace and security. The caretaker government viewed the holding of free, fair and transparent in a peaceful atmosphere to be its primary responsibility, he added.
The security challenge in the province was not impossible and the government is fully prepared to tackle it, he said. The police must ensure that rallies, processions and public meetings during election campaigns are secure. Peace and security are also essential to trade and economic activities, he said.
The home secretary, inspector general, additional IGs, the Lahore commissioner, the district coordination officer, the capital city police officer and deputy inspector general also attended the meeting.
Sethi also called on Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial of the Lahore High Court and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah on Saturday.
‘Pray for peace’
The caretaker chief minister congratulated Christians on Easter and said that they had played a significant role in Pakistan’s development. He also pledged to protect their rights and their properties. “As Pakistanis, the country belongs to all of us and we must make it a bastion of peace, tranquillity, affection and brotherhood. Pakistan can achieve dignity in the comity of nations by according legitimate rights to persons of all religions,” he said.
He asked Christians to offer special prayers on Easter for the progress, prosperity and development of the country.
Meanwhile, NGOs distributed Easter gifts – clothes, toys, crockeries and toiletries – to Christian families in Joseph Colony on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2013.