One dead in violent protests against church bombings

The bombings occurred during prayers at two churches located around half a kilometre apart in the city's Youhanabad neighbourhood that is home to more than 100,000 Christians, officials had said. -DawnNews screen grab

FAISALABAD/LAHORE/GUJRANWALA: Members of the Christian community on Monday took to the streets in Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala to register their protest over a Taliban attack on two churches in Lahore which left 15 people dead and more than 70 injured.

The bombings on Sunday occurred during prayers at two churches located around half a kilometre apart in the city's Youhanabad neighbourhood that is home to more than 100,000 Christians.

Major developments today:

One protester dead, seven injured during demonstrations in Lahore
Death toll from twin bombings climbs to 16
Protesters prevent MPA from entering church
Cases registered for church bombings
15 demonstrators taken into custody by police in Gujranwala
Protesters, Punjab government in discussion

The situation came under the control of police by evening, as fresh contingents arrived at the site of the protest. Rangers also reached the protest site on the directives of the Punjab Home Department. Water canons were also used to push back the protesters.

The talks between the Punjab government and Christian community have concluded successfully.

Authorities have decided to form an investigation committee to probe the suicide attacks on churches in Lahore.

Chaos in Youhanabad

Protesters in Lahore's Youhanabad area, where the twin bombings took place a day earlier, clashed with dozens of baton-wielding police personnel.

One protester was killed while several were injured when a car hit them at Ferozpur Road.

During the protest, stones were pelted at policemen holding up protective plastic shields. The police have been given instructions by the Punjab government to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Police use tear gas as protest turns violent - DawnNews screen grab

Christian community leader Kamran Michael appealed to fellow Christians to remain peaceful.

Protesters on Monday blocked roads in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Gujranwala. They also blocking a major highway that runs near the two attacked churches and prevented cars from driving by, said police officer Bilal Ahmad.

Approximately 100 protesters gathered at Faisalabad's Millat road where they burnt tires and attacked a rickshaw. The protesters also blocked the Kamalpur Interchange on Faisalabad motorway.

Protesters yield sticks as protest turns violent - DawnNews screen grab

Clash between protesters and police - DawnNews screen grab

Car damaged as protest turns violent - DawnNews screen grab

The protesters then headed to Zila Council Chowk where they continued their demonstrations.

Protests have been taking place in various parts of Faisalabad since Sunday.

Following an attack on a metro bus in Lahore, authorities shortened bus routes today as approximately 200 people continued to protest in various parts of the provincial capital such as Youhanabad, Nishtar Colony and Bund road.

People gathered to record their protest against the deadly church attacks - DawnNews screen grab

Women also gathered for a sit-in protest and prayers for the deceased led by a priest in Youhanabad.

"The purpose of the sit-in is to shed light on the fact that the Christian community should be given protection and peaceful living conditions," one of the protesters told DawnNews.

Demonstrators pelted stones as protest turned violent - DawnNews screen grab

One protester dead, seven injured

A man died and another seven were injured when a car hit them at Ferozpur Road.

Police said the driver identified as Mariyam, a school teacher was going home when enraged protesters stopped her near Nishtar Colony.

The protesters encircled her car and started breaking windows, at which point, police said the terrified woman tried to escape and accidentally hit the demonstrators encircling her car.

The injured were taken to Lahore General Hospital where doctors pronounced one of them dead on arrival.

Police baton-charge protesters in Gujranwala

Police baton-charged protesters near the Pindi Bypass in Gujranwala. They also took 15 demonstrators into custody.

Punjab police constitutes JIT to probe Lahore church attacks

Punjab government on Monday constituted a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the twin attacks on churches in Youhanabad.

Deputy Inspector General Investigations Sahibzada Shehzad Sultan told Dawn that a JIT consisting of civil and military agencies had been constituted to investigate the attacks. He said that they started the investigation and efforts were being made to identify the suicide bombers through forensic reports and Nadra.

Police given green signal to tackle protesters

The Punjab government gave the provincial police the green signal to disperse protesters today.

Security officials were also told to use tear gas to ward off protesters charging at police personnel.

Demonstrators gather during protest - DawnNews screen grab

DawnNews reporters on the scene said Youhanabad and surrounding areas are full of angry protesters, some holding sticks and damaging vehicles.

TV footage also showed some men attacking a vehicle loaded with crates of soft beverages, and making off with dozens of bottles.

Police gather to control demonstrators - DawnNews screen grab

Death toll in Lahore church attacks rises to 16

The death roll in Lahore church attacks rises to 16 as one of the injured succumbs to his wounds.

25-year-old Khushi Masih, son of Radu Masih died of serious head injuries.

Clash occurred between police and demonstrators in Lahore - DawnNews screen grab

Protesters prevent MPA from entering church

Protesters on Ferozpur road in Lahore stopped Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Khalil Tahir Sindhu's car to prevent him from going towards Youhanabad.

Sindhu exited the car and continued walking towards Youhanabad when protesters pushed him and shouted slogans against the government, demanding Sindhu to turn back.

Bricks thrown by demonstrators during protest - DawnNews screen grab

The protesters lamented that incidents such as these take place during the PML-N government's tenure and that they were not in favour of visits from the PML-N.

Cases registered over Lahore church attacks

Lahore police on Monday registered two cases — under Section 302, 109 and 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) — of the blasts at the Nishtar Colony police station. The cases were filed on the complaint of Father Francis Gulzar and Father Irshad.

SSP Investigations Rana Ayyaz Saleem said that police high-ups were holding consultation over the registration of a case over the lynching of two suspects by enraged protesters.

Mosques, churches and schools soft targets for terrorists: Nisar

Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said on Monday that noose around terrorists is being tightened and they (terrorists) are now attacking soft targets including mosques, churches and school in utter desperation.

Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior in Islamabad, the federal interior minister brief the meeting over the performance of the interior ministry and said that the country's overall law and order situation had improved 'as a result of the government's effective counter terrorism policy'.

"We have shrunk the space for them to operate in,” he said.

Nisar, however, asked the nation to stand firm to take the war on terror to its logical conclusion and added, "We should remain united to foil their (terrorists') nefarious designs."

Condemning the terrorist attack on churches in Lahore a day earlier as an inhumane act, the interior minister said those who committed the act do not belong to any religion.

He said, "No religion of the world allows such acts."

The federal minister further said that those who took the law into their hand in the wake of the incident had also forwarded the agenda of terrorists who want to create wedge, division, discord and frustration in the society.

Know more: 15 killed in Taliban attack on Lahore churches

Sunday's attacks — claimed by the Taliban's splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar — were the worst on the community since a devastating 2013 double suicide-bombing in Peshawar that killed 82 people.

That attack came months after more than 3,000 protesters torched some 100 houses as they rampaged through Joseph Colony, another Christian neighbourhood of Lahore, following blasphemy allegations against a Christian man.

The thousands of Christian protesters who clashed with police on Sunday attacked their cars with stones and sticks, as women wept and beat their heads and chests.

The protesters, some wearing crosses round their necks, later turned on the city's bus rapid transit system — a signature project of the ruling PML-N party of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Christians make up around two per cent of Pakistan's mainly Muslim population of 180 million. They have been targeted in attacks and riots in recent years, often over allegations of blasphemy.

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Comments (84) Closed

Tranquil

Mar 16, 2015 12:28pm

We stand with them

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Farhan

Mar 16, 2015 12:28pm

1st the humanity was bombed by TTP and then humanity was burst by the mob...both should face the law

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Zaheer

Mar 16, 2015 12:30pm

It is condemnable act. But International media is pretending like Pakistan is worst country for minorities only and not for muslims(majority) . Local people are also protesting pretending Muslims (majority) is enjoying peace and prosperity but minorities do not.

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Ahmed

Mar 16, 2015 12:34pm

Mock weddings were staged and new lawn suits were launched today on the morning shows . Such apathy can only be witnessed here in Pakistan. Bombs don't break me as much as the indifference.

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Noor

Mar 16, 2015 12:44pm

Wholeheartedly stand with them. Let me also say that vigilantism by a few people is bad for the cause of justice for all.

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Kamal Pasha.

Mar 16, 2015 12:46pm

Minorities have every right to protest and protest very hard for not getting protection.

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Dashrath Babu

Mar 16, 2015 12:47pm

It is the responsibility of PAKISTAN Government to safe guard Minorities CHRISTIANS , Parsis , Hindus etc, otherwise Globally reputation will be spoiled , I am from India, Same thing is happening with CHRISTIANS in India also, after BJP came to Power, Hooligans think Government is soft on them .

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Mar 16, 2015 12:50pm

How does destroying public and private property gonna help anybody?

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KHAN

Mar 16, 2015 01:10pm

15-March-2010 pakistan bleeded red. It was the day that reminded Christian communities living in pakistan that they will never be allowed to live peacefully in this counntry. Tehreek Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility of this heinous crime which killed 14 and injured almost 90 people. However no one in a country should take law in his hands. People reacted they burnt two people alive on the road. Moreover they attacked metro buses in Lahore. Is there a particular reason that crowd acted in this way.Pain might abate with the passage of time but examples we are setting for our children are horrific and with treacherous consequences.

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Bahadur, India

Mar 16, 2015 01:13pm

@MA: 15 people have lost their life and many more are injured for no fault of theirs. When they come on road to express their frustration for staying back in Pakistan on the assurance given by your kaid-e-Azam, you are so insensitive to their plight and are worried about public property. Tell me something. What have YOU DONE TOASSURE your fellow citizen of other faith to give them a sense of security?

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Ozzie

Mar 16, 2015 01:44pm

I wonder what the creator of this country would have done if they had foreseen the utter intolerance they were sowing. ...

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haris

Mar 16, 2015 02:04pm

@KHAN Yes, we share the anxiety of our Christian countrymen but there are countless events of bombings happened over the years on Muslims as well.Where would the Muslims Do not paint it a religious or minority malign. We as entire nation are paying the cost of failed policies of prior leaders and incompetency of current Govt. and LEAs

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KHALID SOHAIL SHAIKH

Mar 16, 2015 02:12pm

Enemies of Pakistan have launched a joint operation against the economy of Pakistan. Now this is the duty of masses to offset the campaign of enemy. Enemy is not alone they have hired numerous of local corrupt black sheep traitors are assisting them and providing access. That is why first time in history I am using words of corruption bombs and bribery bombs, these bombs have been planted in different parts of world with the help of criminal minds. These corruption / bribery bombs are threat to world peace and to nuclear bombs as well. These bombs can not be detected by corrupt officials, an honest new, "world anti corruption" department is required by this earth. Who will initiate first to protect existing world. Democracy has been defamed because of numerous cases of corruption in each year.

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Last Word

Mar 16, 2015 02:21pm

Mere condemnation of terrorists attack will not do until their hideouts in South Punjab are raided and arrests made. In fact people from majority community should have joined Christians protests to show their solidarity with them.

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Kublai

Mar 16, 2015 02:25pm

Where is Shahbaz Sharif? This happened again on his watch? These protesters need to go to Raiwind Palace. Or Chief Minister House in Lahore. Is Shahbaz in China? Nepal? Bangkok?

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zahid baloch

Mar 16, 2015 02:50pm

No doubt attack on churches in Lahore is condemnable , but the reaction shown by christian community is also not justified as terrorism is a common menace for every Pakistani i.e. Muslims, Hindu, christian etc. we should be united at this crucial juncture of time to root out the terrorism from the society. Instead of destroying public property and blaming each other we should create religious harmony and respect each other religion.

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Jay Patel

Mar 16, 2015 03:18pm

Government and Army of Paksitan should provide all security to Hindu, sikh, Christian and Shia Muslims.No minority in Pakistan is safe.

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Imran

Mar 16, 2015 03:33pm

@Jay Patel "No minority in Pakistan is safe." Bhai jaan, no majority is safe either.

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Third Umpire

Mar 16, 2015 03:36pm

@Jay Patel I presume you are from India. Are you sure the majority in Pakistan is safe from terrorist acts?

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rabz

Mar 16, 2015 03:37pm

I as a Muslim stand with you guys and represent from all the decent Muslims that we respect the rights of Christian community.. Islamic religious of peace... All these groups wherever they are called is nothing to associate with Islam..

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Asim Iqbal

Mar 16, 2015 03:48pm

@Bahadur, India After 9/11 (since US and India came to Afghanistan) Pakistanis are facing attacks on security forces, govt offices, market places, schools and even mosques. We also protested and in response to such attacks Pak armed forces started operations, but the kind of reaction which people of "other faiths" showed to the Sunday's attack, by damaging public property and lynching two men to death is totally unacceptable. Those involved in such acts must be punished.

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Rajni

Mar 16, 2015 03:52pm

Pakistan need to be pure, unless this kind of mob incidents will keep on.

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VenuBangalore

Mar 16, 2015 03:55pm

@Zaheer its true zaheer bhai.

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VenuBangalore

Mar 16, 2015 04:14pm

how this suicide bombers is created? who is behind this ? first find this and take action. check suspected madrasas. live and let live.

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Imran

Mar 16, 2015 04:24pm

@Ozzie "I wonder what the creator of this country would have done if they had foreseen the utter intolerance they were sowing" I suppose its a good thing humans can't tell the future , right?

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usman 786

Mar 16, 2015 04:26pm

Sympathy with Christian but where is govt to save from looters and protestors

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M. Siddique

Mar 16, 2015 04:27pm

@Dashrath Babu, Indians need to mind their own house which is getting lot more intolerant. We stand by our minorities on this side of the border.

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Abdulla Hussain

Mar 16, 2015 04:45pm

The government has totally failed to protect the lives & properties of the peoples.

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Asif Kashmiri

Mar 16, 2015 04:49pm

I am a Pakistani muslim and stand with my christian brothers and sisters in this time or sorrow. RIP to those who lost their lives during this terrible event.

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Riaz

Mar 16, 2015 04:55pm

Government must bring in the Army and enforce curfew in the violent areas before it is too late.

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Saleem

Mar 16, 2015 04:56pm

My heart goes out for victims, their families and friends. However, I have no sympathy for protestors attacking rickshaws, private cars, vandalizing public and private property, shattering metro bus station and above all burning two suspects alive. These protestors are extension of the same Taliban mentality who attacked them yesterday

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Citizen

Mar 16, 2015 05:04pm

Just shows it's high time Pakistan declared itself a secular country. The Government should should disassociate itself from all religions. That would save the country and make it a modern nation.

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Awais Ali

Mar 16, 2015 05:06pm

I am with all my Christian brothers.

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Najam

Mar 16, 2015 05:09pm

Why are Christians protesting. Why aren't we all protesting. We should stand united and feel the pain and grief that has fallen on its citizens.

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Mar 16, 2015 05:13pm

We are with our Christian community but we need to be peacefull while protesting because anarchy is what these terrorists want. We shouldn't play into their hands. Time to be cautious.

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KHALID SOHAIL SHAIKH

Mar 16, 2015 05:18pm

Pakistan is mother land of these citizens. What is their fault?

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Akib

Mar 16, 2015 05:20pm

@Jay Patel no one person is more safe than others here unless you hire a plethora of personal security measures and a personal guard detail. I feel for the victims but to paint it as a sign of victimization is also incorrect. It's a terrorists goal to create divide and rift between the fellow man and spread fear and hatred. The TTP are extremists, not Muslim or even close to representing Islam in the slightest. I'm sorry for the loss of the Christian Community.

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Siraj Ahmed

Mar 16, 2015 05:29pm

These Christians have right to protest and I can understand their anger.

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Asad

Mar 16, 2015 05:33pm

Punjab govt. Epic Fail AGAIN!

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Santosh Menon

Mar 16, 2015 05:36pm

A Country in Chaos!

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ManoRanjan Ka BAAP

Mar 16, 2015 05:37pm

I don't think the common perception of the people is against minorities, it is a handful of people who are using religion to create problem in Pakistan and entire S E Asia.

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symphony

Mar 16, 2015 05:37pm

The bigots in Pakistan are winning for last 4 decades and majority either claps or simply sits and condemns. No leader from any party walks with Minority community protestors.All fraud intellectuals look the other way. A country living in self denial. A retired Chief Justice defends a murderer and people remain silent. Mullahs give speeches and people remain silent or just enjot cricket & food. What a sad place!

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Omar

Mar 16, 2015 05:37pm

Totally agree with Kamal Pasha's comments below. Well said!

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Akram

Mar 16, 2015 05:39pm

the violent protesters should not go unpunished. This is not acceptable behavior and it does not help us find the culprits of the crime.

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wiserneighbour

Mar 16, 2015 05:45pm

@Zaheer tell me what was the percentage of minorities when you got independence from british.What is the percentage now?Why minority population not increased like Muslim population. Or why they do not like to stay in Pakistan?

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Hammad Ali

Mar 16, 2015 05:51pm

I was devestated yesterday when I saw the bombing news but what started happening afterwards was totally unacceptable . 2 people were beaten to death and den burned because they looked suspicious , wow seriously THEY LOOKED SUSPICIOUS . shias are targeted more frequently then any oder in pakistan but do they act like this no . Ahemdis have been victims too did dey act like this ..NO. sunnis have also been dying due to terrorism but they dont react this way . Terrorist are terrorist this is what they do . But what they are doing is no better killed nd burned 2 people. Almost beat 3 policemen to death ,destroyed public property cars rickshaws hand pull carts nd beat metro employees nd brokes its equipment . Lets please be civilized and show we are better then terrorist

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adnan

Mar 16, 2015 05:53pm

this country can't be in peace. i am happy with my grandfather's decision to going in pakistan. You never learn until you remove your denial mode for terrorist and good and bad terrorist. All the citizen of pakistan responsible for this act. awake as soon as possible

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Javed John

Mar 16, 2015 05:56pm

@MA .....because then it gets more attention.

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jan

Mar 16, 2015 06:03pm

we have sympathy with everyone who suffers but 2% Christians taking law into their own hands i don't understand ,mosques have been bombed muslims have been killed its not only Christian that are suffering so all those who were culprits and spectators should be punished severely so that no one dare take law into their hands shame Pakistan has become law less country

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waseem

Mar 16, 2015 06:09pm

Jamatul Ahrar accepted accountability of Catholic and ChristCchurch massacre but this is an enigma for me that government is still oblivious of these militants even though they are Ubiquitous at PAKISTAN. Even they have accounts on Social media .

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SHN

Mar 16, 2015 06:17pm

As a Pakistani Muslim, I full heartedly support them. Yes them becoming violent is "bad", but what are they to do? The govt has failed to protect them time and time again, this time they want their voice to be heard and taken seriously. Their frustration is totally understandable.

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Shamain

Mar 16, 2015 06:18pm

@Farhan ,yes mob killing is not in no way justifiable, no diff btw terrorists n killers.

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WeAreWithYou

Mar 16, 2015 06:19pm

@Akram Netx time if such incidents happens to your family members then we will see what you will do. just sit here and comment or try to make your voice hear to those deafs in the govennment.

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sadam Gurmani

Mar 16, 2015 06:20pm

First of all police say their jawans stopped the bombers outside the church that is why the level of casualties is quite low if compared with other blasts. secondly, whole state is facing the retaliation by terrorists.They are now on the run and days are not far when all people in Pakistan will be safe.This is the price a nation will have to pay in order to root this menace out completely. At the end we will be victorious IA.

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asgher

Mar 16, 2015 06:21pm

@waseem they way you have overly used the paradox and technicalities of English Language creates a conundrum about your Eccentric Comportment and Deportment

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Zeeshan Aziz Barlas

Mar 16, 2015 06:24pm

How violent protests will save Christians? or any other minority in Pakistan. These violent protests should be condemned and stopped ASAP.

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Shamain is proud of Jinnah and doesn't care if someone steals and misuses her nick

Mar 16, 2015 06:28pm

the mob killing is not going down my throat. Sorry but no. Tho otherwise i would support them.

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Reader

Mar 16, 2015 06:30pm

Violent protests only serving interests of Terrorists. Both terrorists & mob must face the law

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Mohammed

Mar 16, 2015 06:32pm

Will the Pope please condemn this senseless murder as well as quickly as his condemnation for the barbaric terrorist act? By the way, wayyyyy more Muslims are victims of terrorism than anyone else.

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Ajamal

Mar 16, 2015 06:34pm

Where is "Lion - Nawaz Sharif" and "Tiger - Shahbaz Sharif"? They should be calming the situation and lead the people in this difficult time.

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Moona

Mar 16, 2015 06:39pm

They have gone crazy! Why attack ordinary people and infrastructure? What more can the government do? It's not like it is swimming in resources. Policemen and guards died too, protecting them.

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SAAEEN

Mar 16, 2015 06:46pm

One thing I could not understand: why do they destroy public property when they protest against some person, ideology or country. They can protest peacefully.

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khanm

Mar 16, 2015 06:48pm

would you blame them.... Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

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Mohammed Mirza

Mar 16, 2015 06:56pm

I understand how the christians are feeling. They got no right to destroy peoples property.They can protest with no violence so their demands can be met

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Asif Kashmiri

Mar 16, 2015 07:28pm

this is exactly wht the terrorists wanted

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Shahid Khan

Mar 16, 2015 07:34pm

Government is busy with Saudi Visits, but ignoring the most important thing in society.....RULE OF LAW.

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Hasan Zaheer

Mar 16, 2015 07:47pm

@Kamal Pasha. This is NO WAY to protest. They are protesting by enjoying cold drinks, that also robbed off a loading truck? They are protesting by burning a car, someone else's car, who might have worked very hard to buy it. These shameful protestors should be hanged.

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Qamar

Mar 16, 2015 07:56pm

Where are the rulers and politicians of Punjab???? Why can't they come out and calm the situation and do their part in preventing these incidents?

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A shah

Mar 16, 2015 08:00pm

Pakistan is broken

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Farooq

Mar 16, 2015 08:23pm

The lady who hit people must have done it in self defence. What do we expect from her? Should she wait for the mob to drag her out and burn her? Should she have called police and wait for them to do nothing till she would have been burned? If justice would have been served to victims of mob justice yesterday the lady can be treated as culprit. In my opinion government has no right to arrest her and prosecute her.

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Faiz

Mar 16, 2015 08:49pm

@Jay Patel what about Christians condition in India???

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Aleem

Mar 16, 2015 10:03pm

@Dashrath Babu The issue is that the government cannot possibly put guards and safety measures at each and every place of import for the Muslims or non-Muslims. TTP kill any or everyone. Most Pakistanis empathize with our Christian brothers and condemn these attacks, but I feel its almost unrealistic to expect the Army and Police to safeguard all locations. This is not feasible.

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Abdulla Hussain

Mar 16, 2015 10:05pm

The protesters are over re acting. Police should immediately crack down on these protesters.

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Mar 16, 2015 10:10pm

@Santosh Menon and this is exactly what our enemies want.

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Haris

Mar 16, 2015 10:23pm

Everyone is sad on this coward attack by terrorists but no one has right to damage public property whether he/she is Muslim or non muslim , being a Pakistani they are our brothers , all Pakistania are suffering and fighting against terrorism .

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raghu

Mar 16, 2015 10:51pm

its a police brutality on peaceful protest

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shoaib gondal

Mar 16, 2015 11:21pm

protests resulted in more deaths...... seeing precarious situation of the government the protesters could have managed their security rather to hold protests now...

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mike hasan USA

Mar 16, 2015 11:45pm

Govt is busy raiding offices of political opponents & the minorities suffer carnage? What a governance,& where is the vocal interior minister.

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Shah, Canada

Mar 17, 2015 04:30am

A game plan of powers who want to delectable Pakistan... Its a series like a serial.... Read book 'way of the knife' and 'Confessions of an economic hit man'. You get the answers.

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adil jadoon

Mar 17, 2015 05:04am

@Tranquil with who? The looters?

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adil jadoon

Mar 17, 2015 05:07am

@Dashrath Babu agree, it is the govt's failure.

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adil jadoon

Mar 17, 2015 05:07am

@Last Word they were probably scared of being lynched!

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Khan

Mar 17, 2015 06:14am

@M. Siddique There is also constitutional discrimination against minorities in Pakistan . Why is that so?

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kausar

Mar 17, 2015 08:46am

Knock knock ..... Punjab Government time to wake up.Where are the leaders,come in front face the situation. We need to see actions not just words n speeches.

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