Minorities demand security of churches

Say heirs of Quetta blast victims should be provided compensation

MULTAN: Members of different minorities in Multan region had demanded the government to ensure security of churches and other worship places. They also demanded compensation for the heirs and relatives of those killed and critically injured in the Quetta church attack.

While speaking to journalists on Friday, Bishop Aashir Kamran, PML-N (Minority wing) President Boota Sarfraz and Pastor Yousaf Raza said that besides payment of compensation to the families of the victims who had died in Quetta blast, the injured should also be offered free medical treatment.

They added the attack was an assault on the federation and unity of Pakistan. They demanded of the government to permit the church administrations to keep licenced weapons for their security.

They also criticised the non-implementation of the National Action Plan.

The minority community suggested formation of a committee to ensure fixation of barbed wires around churches in the country. “This committee should suggest at least Rs100 million for barbed wires around churches in the country,” they maintained.

They said the government should accept its failure to ensure security in the country. “There should be a proper intelligence to foil such nefarious designs,” the members said.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies beefed up security of churches and other sensitive places ahead of Christmas in Multan.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Idrees Ahmad visited Catholic Church in Multan Cantonment and issued directives to the heads of police in Multan, Vehari, Khanewal and Lodhran to ensure protection of worship places.

He said, “Minorities are equal citizens of Pakistan and it is the basic responsibility of police to protect them.” He added that deployment of police at sensitive places had been increased, besides scaling up snap checking and patrolling.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2017.