‘Solidarity and brotherhood’: NA, Senate slam assault on Christian homes

NA suspends day’s agenda; MQM storms out of Senate.

ISLAMABAD:

No holds were barred as lawmakers took up a fiery discourse against the blasphemy law and extremism in both the lower and upper houses of parliament while assailing Friday’s assault on the Christian community in Lahore.

Suspending the day’s agenda, every single lawmaker raised his/her hand in agreement when State Minister for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill moved a resolution demanding a judicial probe for the incident in which over 175 houses belonging to Christians were set on fire following a blasphemy row between two friends in Joseph Colony — an incident they termed a “national disaster.”

“If you think we cannot live together, give us a separate province so that we can have security,” thundered Gill, a Christian.

Meanwhile, Bushra Gohar from the Awami National Party was heard apologising to the Christian community. “The state’s failure has divided the nation into communities, sects and religions,” she called out.

JUI-F’s Asiya Nasir, hailing from Balochistan, said that the Lahore incident was not something new “as minorities in Punjab had always been subject to such incidents in the past as well,” and that “Punjab was exporting terrorism to other parts of the country.” However, the Punjab government has repeatedly denied any links with extremist groups in the past.



Emotions ran high during the Senate session as well. “The Holy Prophet (PBUH), who was sent as a blessing for mankind, his name has been misused for targeting a minority community,” lamented independent Senator Mohsin Leghari. “This incident shows that state organs have apparently collapsed.”

Blasphemy law

The blasphemy law is being repeatedly exploited by people to settle personal scores, said PPP Senator Saeed Ghani, citing Rimsha Masih’s precedent. “The accuser should be given ten times the death sentence if the allegations are proven to be false. Unfortunately, not a single false accuser has been convicted.”

Meanwhile, senators from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement stormed out in protest over the incident.

“Islam teaches peace, solidarity and brotherhood between people of all faiths,” said Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed from Pakistan Muslim League – Q. “The fundamental reason of repeating such incidents is state’s failure to devise a workable counter-terrorism strategy.” Senator Robina Irfan seemed to agree, and termed the incident a failure of law enforcement agencies, particularly police.

However, PML-N Senator Mushahidullah appreciated the provincial government’s timely action in rehabilitating the Christians who were driven out from their homes, and the reconstruction of the affected community houses. Lauding the government’s speedy action, he reminded the house that cheques were distributed to the victims of the incident within two days.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2013.