Talking to Taliban is not for us to decide: High priests

Heads of Karachi’s churches hold press conference, call for peaceful protest.

KARACHI:

Sitting side by side at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Monday, the top prelates of the Church of Pakistan and the Catholic Church said it was up to the government whether to hold dialogue with the terrorists or to proceed with an operation.

“This is a political question,” Archbishop, Joseph Coutts responded to a question.

He further said, “Being just two per cent of the population, we are not in a position to influence the government decisions but we have always been good followers and would support the government move.”

Bishop of Karachi Diocese, Sadiq Daniel, solemnly said, “I don’t know or understand what should be done with whoever admits to these killings. The government knows better [how it intends to deal with them].”

In a show of unity, the two  Church leaders stated their opinions at a joint press conference to express solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar church bombings.

Bishop Sadiq Daniel said that they do not understand why they were brutally attacked. “The bombing was so unexpected. We are peace-loving people and fail to understand the cause of this massacre.”

He said that everyone knows where the roots of militancy lie and party leaders would have to work together to eliminate terrorism.

“As patriotic citizens we always wishing and covet peace and solidarity in the country,” he said as he appealed for an inquiry into the suicide blasts.

Bishop Sadiq Daniel asked that all places of worship be given security and protection. “Masjids and Imambargahs have been attacked in the past and this time it was a church. We call for security at all religious places so that all the people could pray freely.”

The two prelates leaders said that they did not support rioting and rowdy protests based on violence. “Protests are a way to raise the voices of the oppressed. They should be organised in a peaceful and harmless manner.”

Father Emanuel Victor said that the Christian community has remained silent in the face of oppression, but that did not mean that they were ‘deaf or dumb’.

“We can do so much in retaliation but our Christian faith does not allow us to block roads, have a stage-in and create difficulties for others.”

The hymns were sung and a one-minute silence observed at the gathering.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s  Naimatullah Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Taj Haider and Bashir Jan of the Awami National Party were present at the congregation.

Separately, Bishop Kaleem John of the Church of Pakistan’s Hyderabad Diocese expressed support for the government decision to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Taliban. “The decision of the All Parties’ Conference provides a better roadmap for long-term peace. The security operations and other violent measures are not a solution,” he said.

Bishop John urged the people of his community to remain peaceful while they protest against the bombings and to pray for peace in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.