KARACHI, Sept 25: Leaders of political parties and representatives of NGOs have condemned the ghastly attack on the office of the Idara Aman-o-Insaaf in which seven people were killed.

Condemning the tragic incident, Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto called for a high-powered inquiry into the incident. In a statement, she said it was the responsibility of the government to protect the life of all citizens of the state.

She recalled it was not the first attack against minority communities in Karachi and said earlier similar attacks took place in Punjab also.

She added that such attacks had become a routine matter under the Musharraf regime. She urged the government to pay more attention to internal security, saying instead of engaging police and other law-enforcement agencies in political matters, efforts should be made to develop their professional capabilities.

The chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Karachi, Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, condemned the gory incident and said the increasing attacks on minorities and foreigners “indicate the involvement of India and others powers inimical to Pakistan in such incidents.”

A former governor and the provincial secretary of the PML (N), Mamnoon Husain, condemned the ghastly incident, saying “we have repeatedly warned the government to take effective measures to maintain law and order.”

“But the government, instead of taking steps to maintain peace, has been concentrating on persecuting the PML,” he claimed.

He claimed that it appeared efforts were being made to sabotage the general elections.

Condemning the ghastly attack, the

Karachi Women’s Peace Committee said the Idara Aman-o-Insaaf had significantly contributed to efforts aimed at restoring peace in the city.

It urged the government to track down the killers and award them exemplary punishment. Adequate steps be taken to provide security to all those who provided humanitarian services, it said.

Kunwar Khalid Younus of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement also condemned the gory incident describing it as an act of terrorism. He called for immediate arrest of the killers, agencies add.

Archbishop Simen Perrira of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi, expressed deep sorrow and grief at the killing of seven Christians in the city, and said that we are a peaceable people, but threats could not keep us from doing good work.

In a statement, he said the killers are our brothers, even if they do not know it. However, let us grieve for those who have committed this heinous crime and whose motives are unknown.

He sympathized with the families of the victims.

He urged the Christian community to remain calm and not allow hatred or the feeling of revenge to take root in their hearts, reminding them of the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Love.

Forgiveness is the lesson we have learned from the Lord, he said, adding: “Let us continue to show love and mercy to those who hate and target us, and act according to the spirit and pray for those who have lost their lives.”

The Bishop of Karachi Diocese, Church of Pakistan, Reverend Ijaz Inayat, condemning the brutal attack, termed it a crime against humanity.

“We are a peaceable people and want protection of life and property,” he said, adding that a handful of extremist elements were behind the killings to defame the country among the community of nations.

The President of the Catholic Association, Herbert Fernandes, condemned the gory incident. He demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and protection of life and property of the minorities.

The Young Men’s Christian Association also condemned the killing of innocent Christians in the office of the Idara Aman-o-Insaaf. A one-minute silence was observed for the departed souls. Prayers were also offered.

Maulana Asadullah Bhutto and other leaders of the MMA, human rights activist Zia Awan, PML-N leaders Mushahidullah Khan, Sardar Rahim and Irfanullah Marwat also spoke at the protest at the press club.

The chief of the Sunni Tehrik, Mohammed Abbas Qadri, condemned the ghastly incident. In a statement, he claimed it was a conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the image of Pakistan and of Muslims.

The Karachi Union of Journalist also condemned the ghastly attack and termed it an act of terrorism. It demanded a through investigation into the tragic incident.

The National Association of Business, Professional and Agricultural Women and the Joint Action Committee for Peace also condemned the ghastly act and called for awarding exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the crime against humanity.

DEMONSTRATION: Leaders of political and religious parties, human rights activists, representatives of NGOs and social welfare organizations held a protest demonstration outside Karachi Press Club to condemn the killing of seven workers of an NGO in the city.