Candle vigil: Slain Shahbaz Bhatti remembered

Shahzaman Youhana cites quote by Bhatti, I live not only for my community but to defend the rights of all communities.

MULTAN: Several people gathered in front of the Multan Press Club on Sunday for a candlelight vigil to mark the third death anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti, the late minister for minorities who was gunned down by unidentified persons in his home village. Participants of the vigil vowed to continue Bhatti’s struggle for minorities’ rights in the country. Justice and Peace Commission executive secretary Shahzaman Youhana cited a quote by Bhatti, “I live not only for my community but to defend the rights of all communities.” He said Bhatti had worked untiringly for marginalised communities till the day he was martyred. Markazi Azadari Imam Hussain Council president Hassan Mashadi said, “Bhatti is a role model for minorities in Pakistan. He will always be remembered for his struggle.” He said leaders like Bhatti had stayed true to Jinnah’s idea of Pakistan. The participants demanded equal rights and protection for minorities in Pakistan. They condemned terrorist activities and demanded that the government take serious action against terrorists.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.