Joseph Colony arson: Punjab government to blame says Imran Khan

PTI chief visits neighbourhood to sympathise with victims.

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has held Punjab government responsible for the Joseph Colony incident in which more than 100 homes of the Christian community were burnt by a mob on Saturday.

During a visit to the colony on Tuesday, Khan said the tragedy could have been avoided if the provincial government had acted earlier and taken action against those involved in the Gojra riots.

“I condemn this…this is the biggest injustice that could be done to a minority community,” he said.

PTI chief said the law enforcing agencies had compelled the residents to vacate their homes [instead of safeguarding them.]

He said recruitment in the police was politically driven and use of the force for political motives had become rampant in the Punjab.

He said the incident had given Pakistan a bad name internationally.

Khan expressed solidarity with the victims and offered them his support. He was accompanied by Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Jahangir Tareen and Abdul Aleem Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2013.