PM says Nankana incident against his vision

Imran says his govt protects minorities unlike persecution of Muslims in India


Our Correspondent January 06, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has set apart the difference between a recent altercation between two groups near Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib and the ongoing anti-Muslim campaign in India, pointing out that while the Narendra Modi-led regime backed persecution of minorities, the PTI government had zero-tolerance for it.

The premier made the comments in a tweet on Sunday – a day after the Foreign Office clarified that the incident, which the Indian media and the BJP government tried to paint as a communal issue, was only a scuffle at a tea stall near the gurdwara.

The FO said the minor incident was resolved by the district administration.

PM Imran maintained that “condemnable” incident was against his vision for Pakistan and “will find zero-tolerance and protection from the government including the police and judiciary”.

He went on to add that the incident could not be equated with what was happening against the minorities in India, especially Muslims.

“In contrast, Modi’s RSS vision supports minorities’ oppression & the targeted attacks against Muslims are part of this agenda,” he wrote.

“RSS goons conducting public lynchings, Muslims being violated by mobs are all not only supported by Modi government but Indian police lead anti-Muslim attacks.”

Meanwhile, talking to the media in Nankana Sahib, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah said Nankana Sahib was the best example of inter-faith harmony, however, the Nankana Sahib incident was presented distortedly by the international media.

He was flanked by Provincial Housing and Urban Development Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Punjab Parliamentary Secretary Mahindar Pal Singh and other Sikh leaders.

The minister also termed the Nankana incident enemies' conspiracy to dent integrity and brotherhood of the country.

However, he said, Prime Minister Imran Khan's and our sympathies were with the Sikh community and added that a case had also been registered into the unfortunate incident, assuring that accused persons would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He said he came here on the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan to clarify the unfortunate local incident.

Shah said Nankana district hosted more minorities than any other district of Pakistan. He was of the view that those going against religious tolerance were the biggest enemies of the country, asserting that the print and electronic media as well as social media would expose the truth and facts of the incident.

"Today, Guru Gobind's birthday is celebrated, and me and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed are lucky to participate in this event," he said.

With additional input from APP

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