PESHAWAR: Speakers at a condolence reference on Thursday paid tribute to MPA and adviser to the chief minister on minority affairs Sardar Soran Singh declaring his murder an irreparable loss for non-Muslims.

They demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits.

Soran Singh was gunned down outside his house in Pir Baba area of Buner district last week.

The condolence reference was held at Peshawar Press Club under the aegis of the Peace, Education and Development Foundation.

Condolence reference held for CM adviser, who was killed in Buner last week

Noted among the speakers were deputy speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Meher Taj Roghani, chairperson of the provincial Commission on the Status of Women Neelum Toru, Bishop Humphrey Peter of the Churches of Pakistan, Haroon Sarbdiyal of All Pakistan Hindu Movement Forum, and Radesh Singh Tony and Charan Jeet Singh of Sikh community.

Ms Roghani said as a committed political activist, Soran Singh always fought for the rights of the people irrespective of their religious affiliations.

“Soran Singh was a cheerful person, who always used to make others smile. He was the true soldier of Pakistan, who always shouted the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan) to promote the country’s soft image,” she said.

The deputy speaker said the murder of such a sincere person was always a matter of shock for the people and that the killing had saddened the entire nation. Neelum Toru appreciated Soran Singh on efforts for the welfare of minorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Soran Singh not only represented non-Muslims but he also represented Muslims from his area with love,” she said.

Bishop Humphrey said the deceased didn’t belong to any religion as he used to tell people that his religion was humanity.

“Soran Singh was a Sikh for Sikhs, a Christian for Christians and a Hindu for Hindus,” he said.

Haroon Sarbdiyal said the killing of Soran Singh was a tragic incident, which deprived both Muslims and non-Muslims of a loving personality.

He demanded proper investigation into the murder and exemplary punishment for the culprits.

“The government should conduct forensic investigation in order to punish the culprits so no one could think about committing such a heinous crime,” he said.

Haroon Sarbdiyal said Soran Singh would always be remembered for equally distributing development funds among minorities and spending money on repairs and reconstruction of their worship places, purchase of land for graveyards, and the people’s welfare.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2016