LAHORE: A joint meeting of leaders from different faiths, including those from Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Baha’i communities, has underscored the need to bring those involved in the Jaranwala incident to justice.

They were of the view that had the culprits of Joseph Colony and Gojra incidents been handed down exemplary punishment, the Jaranwala tragedy would not have taken place.

The meeting was chaired by Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi who told the meeting that the nation shared the grief of the Christians and it had united the entire nation in solidarity with the Christian community. He called for a collaborative effort from scholars and leaders from the Christian community and other minority groups to devise a comprehensive strategy aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

The participants in the meeting included Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Archbishop of Lahore (Roman Catholic) Bishop Sebastian Shah, Dr Allama Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Amarnath Randhawa, Rohia Maufadi, Pastor Mehnual Khokhar, Sardar Kalyan Singh Kalyan, Pandit Bhagat Lal and Maulana Zubair Hasan.

Meanwhile, the Christian community announced Aug 18 a day of condemnation.

Separately, Archbishop Sebastian and Emnual Khokhar demanded that speedy trial should be held against the culprits in Jaranwala.

Meanwhile, Governor Balighur Rahman has termed the violent incidents in Jaranwala sad, saying one mistake could not be corrected by another mistake.

In a statement on Thursday, he said that no one could be allowed to take the law into one’s hands.

“Islam teaches us peace, tolerance and brotherhood. The Constitution neither allows hurting religious sentiments nor does it allow hurting anyone’s life and property. The minorities have equal rights in the constitution and law of Pakistan,” he said.

lawyers: Christian members of the bar on Thursday staged a protest demonstration in the Lahore High Court against the burning of Churches and houses in Jaranwala.

Lawyers said they condemned blasphemy against the holy Quran, churches and worship places of all communities. They said the Constitution of Pakistan protected the rights of all minorities living in the country.

The participants of the protest demonstration, including women lawyers, had placards in their hands.

Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) vice president Rabbiya Bajwa also condemned the rampage in Jaranwala.

In a statement, she said the Constitution and law of Pakistan did not allow violence and persecution of any community. She said the law of land provided a due process for the prosecution of every offence, including blasphemy and a mob, cannot be allowed to take law into its hand.

She demanded that the government ensure the arrest of the perpetrators and justice to the victims of the violence.

Ms Bajwa also urged the citizens to believe in religious harmony and respect sentiments of all communities in the country.

Gilani: Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has condemned the attacks on minority places of worship and property in Jaranwala.

Calling it a sad incident, the PPP leader said in his condolence message to the Christian community that this is a conspiracy against interfaith harmony.

In Pakistan, minorities have equal rights. All religions and their places of worship have complete freedom. He said, urging the law-enforcement agencies to find out the motive behind this conspiracy and to severely punish the elements involved in this heinous act.

He said that the entire nation is standing with the Christian community in this hour of sadness.

Mr Gilani said that the Christian community has an equal share in the independence, development, and success of Pakistan, and the whole nation values their sacrifices in this regard.

Former PPP MPA Pervez Rafique, chairman of the Bhai Chara Foundation, said they were sad at what happened in Jaranwala.

He said the community condemns the act of blasphemy as well as the attacks on Christian houses and churches in its reaction.

He said both incidents are reflections of a sick mindset, and he hoped that sense would prevail on both sides.

Calling for joint efforts to foil the plot of the accused who are attempting to break the bonds of peace and brotherhood between the Christian and Muslim communities and to control further damage, he demanded that the law-enforcement agencies must accept responsibility for the protection of churches and the lives and property of the Christian community.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2023