PESHAWAR: Condemning the murder of PTI MPA Sardar Soran Singh, the representatives of religious minorities on Saturday complained the killers of many non-Muslim leaders in the country went unpunished in the past to the unrest of their communities.

They demanded better protection of minority members by the government.

Mr. Singh, who was also the special assistant to the chief minister on minority affairs, was gunned down by assailants outside his house in Buner district on Friday.

Praise Soran Singh for serving them well

Elected to the provincial assembly on a reserved seat and a Sikh by faith, the deceased was revered by minorities for promoting interfaith harmony, installing boxes in the streets to collect torn pieces of the sacred scriptures, and promoting the country’s soft image through speeches.

The representatives of religious minorities demanded that the PTI award ticket for the seat fallen vacant after Soran Singh’s killing to a person, who could advance the deceased’s mission in a rigorous manner.

Pastor Shehzad Murad told Dawn that Soran Singh was a very brave and honest man, who not only regularly participated in the functions of Christians but also came to the comfort of Christians, who lost family members in terrorist attacks.

He said though the deceased belonged to Sikh community, he always ensured the transparent distribution of the funds meant for repairs and reconstruction of religious places of religious minorities.

“We think his murder is tantamount to the killing of humanity. It deprived our country of a sincere minority leader,” he said.

All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement chairman Haroon Sarab Diyal said Muslims of Buner district also considered Mr. Singh as their leader due to his selfless services, allocation of uplift funds for mosques, graveyards, protection walls, educational institutions irrespectively of religious affiliations.

“Today we lost our spiritual father, who during his tenure in the government served all communities with love and zeal. For the first time, he secured scholarships for students, medical and financial assistance to deserving people and helped increase jobs quota of non-Muslims,” he said.

Mr. Diyal said had the government taken stern action against the killers of non-Muslim leaders Shahbaz Bhatti and Handri Masih and they hadn’t gotten off scot-free, Soran Singh would have never been attacked.

He urged the government to ensure the protection of the members of non-Muslim groups.

“We are the easy target of terrorists, so it is the duty of the government to take effective steps for our security,” he said.

Sikh leaders Baba Amar Jeet Singh and Sahib Singh said for the first time, their community had gotten a leader in the shape of Soran Singh, who served non-Muslims without discrimination.

They said the credit for the reopening of ancient temple in Peshawar after 70 years closure went to Sardar Soran Singh, who pleased his community in real sense.

They said the deceased always raised voice for his community so they appealed to the PTI leadership to field one of Sikhs for the seat fallen vacant after Soran Singh’s death to advance his mission.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra condemned the killing of Soran Singh declaring it tragic.

In the condolence message, the governor expressed said the services of the deceased for minorities would long be remembered.

He offered heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and said the deceased had rendered great services for the rights of minorities.

Also, finance minister Muzafar Said condemned Soran Singh’s killing saying it was an act of terrorism.

He said the government would ensure the early arrest of killers for punishment.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2016