Protests erupted across the provincial capital as the aggrieved and the grieving took to the streets demanding justice and security. PHOTO: PPI
Peshawar came to a standstill on Monday as protests were held across the city in condemnation of the blasts at All Saints Church that have left at least 83 people dead.
Around 10am, protesters gathered in Tehkal and marched through major roads of the city. They blocked Gora Qabristan Chowk for a few hours before moving on to the Peshawar Press Club.
Demonstrators chanted slogans against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, PTI chief Imran Khan and law enforcement agencies for their failure to protect places of worship and to provide timely medical facilities to those who were rushed to hospitals.
Addressing the protesters, Riyasat Masih, who led the protest from University Town, said, “No one is safe here. Now they have targeted a church, later they can attack mosques and imambargahs. We need protection.”
“Our state and law enforcement agencies are too weak to prevent the unabated killing sprees in the city,” he added.
“We are considered second class citizens in our native country,” said Anwar Chand, a protester. “This is as much our country as it is for the Muslims. We should be provided protection. If the government cannot do that, then it should just ask us to leave,” he said.
Arshad Mehmood, a retired government officer, also addressed the demonstrators and criticised the government for a “pitiful compensation package” for the victims.
When the protesters reached the provincial assembly building, law enforcement agencies prevented them from getting too close. They then gathered at Suri Pul blocking GT Road and Malik Saad Shaheed flyover.
Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai spoke to demonstrators near the assembly building and asked them to stop the protests as the government is making all efforts to provide medical facilities, compensation and justice to the victims.
Instead, demonstrators chanted slogans against the government. They also pelted stones at police officials but Bishop Humphrey S Peters intervened and dispersed them peacefully.
Furthermore, GT Road at Firdous, Yakatoot, Kohati, University Town, Qissa Khwani Bazaar and Sher Shah Suri Road also remained blocked due to various other protests, causing traffic to be halted for many hours.
A separate protest was led by Sikh elder Sardar Charanjit Singh from Sarki Gate to All Saints Church in Kohati. The protesters comprising Hindus and Sikhs chanted slogans against the provincial government and the police for their failure to provide security to non-Muslims
Charanjit Singh, while addressing the demonstrators at Sarki Gate, said: “On August 14, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared religious minorities were safe in Pakistan but the ground reality is far from such declarations.”
“We are not satisfied with the security arrangements at churches, temples and gurdwaras in the city. The provincial government should install closed circuit cameras in these places,” he added.
Heavy contingents of police were deployed along the major routes the protesters took to prevent any untoward incident.
Demonstrations were also held in Charsadda, Hangu, Mardan and Bathkhela.
In solidarity
In Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), scores of Christians and civil society members held a rally in Gilgit city to express solidarity with the bereaved families of the suicide blasts.
International Human Rights Organisation G-B Coordinator Mohammad Farooq said, “We condemn terrorism, be it in any form anywhere in the world.”
Muqaddar Masih, a participant, asked the government to ensure security provisions for non-Muslims in G-B and across the country.
The rally culminated peacefully after reaching Nasim Cinema Chowk.
Missionary schools, colleges to remain closed till Wednesday
All missionary educational institutes in the city will remain closed till Wednesday, the third consecutive day after the twin suicide blasts at All Saints Church on Sunday.
Sunday’s attack is believed to be the country’s deadliest on Christians. After the incident, Christian leaders announced all missionary schools will remain closed but missionary hospitals will be open to tend to patients. “Hospitals will remain open since people are being served there,” said Reverend Joseph Johns of St John’s cathedral.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Where are the Muslim protests. Where are mullahs and JI and PTI that come out for any little thing that happens outside of Pakistan ,usually of no concern of their?