Condolences offered: Minorities are an inseparable part of our nation, says CM

Govt officials attend prayers for blast victims at All Saints’ Church .

PESHAWAR:

During a visit to All Saints’ Church here on Tuesday, Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak, said the protection of minorities in Pakistan is our religious and national responsibility.

After participating in prayers for the victims, the CM addressed the press and said, “The attack on the church in Peshawar is an attack against humanity. Words fall short to express the atrocities committed against all these innocent people.”

“Minorities are an inseparable part of our nation,” the CM added. “We will go to every length to bring the elements involved in this gruesome attack to justice,” he said, adding: “The sacrifices of innocent people will be a catalyst for peace in the region.”



Khattak said the incident has brought a bad name to the country, adding that “the terrorist act is a conspiracy to put hurdles in the negotiation process.”

“For the sake of establishing peace, all political parties of the country have given authority to the federal government for going ahead with the peace talks; now we are awaiting their (centre’s) decision,” the CM told the media.

MNA Ayesha Gulalai, provincial minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Advisor to CM Ziaullah Afridi and Peshawar Commissioner Sahibzada Anees, among other officials, were present at the briefing and participated in the prayers led by Bishop Peter Humphrey.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leaders also visited the church and attended a service for victims of the twin suicide attacks.

Minister for Minorities and Religious Affairs Haji Habibur Rehman said the provincial government will make special arrangements for the protection of non-Muslims. Rehman termed the attack on the church as “work of the enemies of Pakistan”.

JI’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa General Secretary Shabbir Ahmed Khan said the attack on the church is against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

The delegation also visited the residence of former minority councillor Daniel Samuel to condole the death of four of his family members who perished in the blast.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2013.