Protesters demand more security at churches

SUKKUR/ HYDERABAD/ KARACHI:

Protesters gathered at Karachi Press Club on Monday afternoon demanded that proper security should be provided to the city's churches. They requested the government form a taskforce for places of worship.

Around 14 people were killed and more than 70 were injured when two suicide bombers attacked churches in Lahore on Sunday, sparking mob violence in which two people were lynched to death. The bombings occurred during prayers at two churches located around half a kilometre apart in Lahore's Youhanabad neighbourhood that is home to more than 100,000 Christians.

"In June 2014, the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to form a taskforce to protect places of worships," said Rev Father Saleh Diego, the director of National Commission for Justice and Peace, while speaking at the press club. "This was never done." The Father added that the militants were able to carry out the attack as the government had failed to implement the court's order.

"Had the government formed the taskforce, this attack would have never taken place," said Father Diego, who was joined at the protest by heads of the Catholic and Protestant churches in Karachi — Archbishop Joseph Coutts, and Bishop Sadiq Daniel. "We are tired of protesting against terrorism and crimes being committed against us," said Archbishop Joseph Coutts. "I request all Christians to come together and protest peacefully."

They also condemned the lynching of two people during protests in Lahore. All educational institutions of the Catholic Archdiocese of Pakistan and Church of Pakistan Karachi Diocese were closed on Monday. A large number of men and women had gathered outside the press club and were holding banners and placards. They were also shouting slogans against terrorism. Father Mario Rodriguez said that while the nation was celebrating the Pakistani team victory in their match with Ireland, the Christians had to deal with a tragedy. Advocate Saleem Michael said that the failure of the government to follow the court's order should be considered as a contempt of court. "The government is responsible for protecting its people," he said. "It has failed to do so."

Students protest

With the aim of promoting tolerance in society, the National Students Federation (NSF) held a candlelight vigil and protest in Essa Nagri on Monday to show their support for the Christian community. The general secretary of the NSF, Kabir Ali told The Express Tribune, that they had decided to organise the protest in Essa Nagri as a large part of the city's Christians reside in the area. "We have come to show our solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters," he said.

To the streets

In Sukkur, people gathered for a sit-in at Minara Road on Monday to protest against the twin attacks in Lahore on Sunday. Several men, women and children, led by Father Yacoob Gill of the Saint Mary's Church along with Father Muneer Basheer of the Saint Saviour's Church, protested at Minara Road — suspending traffic between Sukkur and Rohri. In Hyderabad, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar and Jamshoro, people gathered outside their respective press clubs and protested against the Lahore attacks.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2015.