Rebuilding: CM visits burnt Church in Mardan

Says minorities are an integral part of Pakistan and apologised for the incident.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti visited the church in Mardan that was set ablaze by protesters on Friday. The chief minister was informed about the extent of damages incurred. He announced that Rs30 million would be given for repair and reconstruction of the place of worship. While addressing the Christian community in Mardan on Tuesday, he said that people who burnt the church to ashes were damaging religious harmony and would be punished. He directed authorities concerned to ensure reconstruction and repair of the church in consultation with elders of the Christian community. He said the incident was “extremely brutal”. He said minorities are an integral part of Pakistan and apologised for the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2012.