Condemnations: Too little, (many hours) too late
Statements of solidarity pour in as death toll mounts.
Chairman PTI Imran Khan along with Chief minister K-P Pervez Khattak talking to media. PHOTO: ONLINE
PESHAWAR:
Words of sympathy, condolence, or just any reaction from the provincial government came at least four hours after the city mourned its worst attack on non-Muslims.
While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership was in Islamabad for its central executive committee meeting, coalition partners in the government chose to maintain their silence during this time.
After Chief Minister Pervez Khattak arrived from Islamabad, close to 5pm, he strongly condemned the incident and termed the attacks ‘‘a crime against humanity.’’
Khattak expressed solidarity and sympathy with Christians of the city. “People and the government have stood before and will keep standing by the side of our Christian brothers in this time of difficulty to share their grief,” he said.
Khattak directed authorities of the health department and management of the Lady Reading Hospital to provide the best possible facilities for treatment of the injured victims. A complete inquiry into the incident was also ordered. Information Minister Shah Farman, on the other hand, assured the PTI-led government’s efforts to battle unrest, saying: “The government is taking all possible steps to maintain peace and stability in the region through efforts to bring peace through dialogue. This can never be sabotaged.” Political parties should not play politics at such a time as the government will never succumb to any pressure, he added.
Statements expressing support from politicians poured in as the death toll mounted.
Provincial minister Sirajul Haq, from the Jamaat-e-Islami, also expressed his sympathies with the victims and directed law enforcement authorities to arrest those involved in the heinous crime. “We will give them exemplary punishment so that this is not repeated in the future,” said the minister. Haq also added all steps would be taken to protect minorities and their religious places.
Provincial head of JI, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, and JI chief Munawar Hassan also condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of valuable human lives.
As Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan conveyed heartfelt grief on the tragic incident, former provincial information minister and the party’s Information Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, also strongly condemned the bomb blasts and appealed to the government to provide maximum assistance to victims.
Hussain, who himself visited the blast site and later the hospital, strongly criticised the PTI-led government for the absence of officials from the scene as there was no one there to console the victims.
Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said minorities must be given security and their worship places should be protected to ensure such a tragic incident does not happen in the future.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Fredrick Azeem, questioned,“What was the fault of our people, what had they done?” Azeem was also irked by the absence of officials from the site as theyonly condemned the incident from the sidelines.
Radio Mashaal RFE, a Pashto radio service
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.
Words of sympathy, condolence, or just any reaction from the provincial government came at least four hours after the city mourned its worst attack on non-Muslims.
While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership was in Islamabad for its central executive committee meeting, coalition partners in the government chose to maintain their silence during this time.
After Chief Minister Pervez Khattak arrived from Islamabad, close to 5pm, he strongly condemned the incident and termed the attacks ‘‘a crime against humanity.’’
Khattak expressed solidarity and sympathy with Christians of the city. “People and the government have stood before and will keep standing by the side of our Christian brothers in this time of difficulty to share their grief,” he said.
Khattak directed authorities of the health department and management of the Lady Reading Hospital to provide the best possible facilities for treatment of the injured victims. A complete inquiry into the incident was also ordered. Information Minister Shah Farman, on the other hand, assured the PTI-led government’s efforts to battle unrest, saying: “The government is taking all possible steps to maintain peace and stability in the region through efforts to bring peace through dialogue. This can never be sabotaged.” Political parties should not play politics at such a time as the government will never succumb to any pressure, he added.
Statements expressing support from politicians poured in as the death toll mounted.
Provincial minister Sirajul Haq, from the Jamaat-e-Islami, also expressed his sympathies with the victims and directed law enforcement authorities to arrest those involved in the heinous crime. “We will give them exemplary punishment so that this is not repeated in the future,” said the minister. Haq also added all steps would be taken to protect minorities and their religious places.
Provincial head of JI, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, and JI chief Munawar Hassan also condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of valuable human lives.
As Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan conveyed heartfelt grief on the tragic incident, former provincial information minister and the party’s Information Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, also strongly condemned the bomb blasts and appealed to the government to provide maximum assistance to victims.
Hussain, who himself visited the blast site and later the hospital, strongly criticised the PTI-led government for the absence of officials from the scene as there was no one there to console the victims.
Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said minorities must be given security and their worship places should be protected to ensure such a tragic incident does not happen in the future.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Fredrick Azeem, questioned,“What was the fault of our people, what had they done?” Azeem was also irked by the absence of officials from the site as theyonly condemned the incident from the sidelines.
Radio Mashaal RFE, a Pashto radio service
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.