GUJRANWALA/ATTOCK/KANGAnPUR/
SARGODHA
Different civil society organisation, lawyers and traders representatives and members of Christian community staged protests, sit-in and other events to condemn the twin suicide blast in a Peshawar church and express sympathies with the affected families.
As per details, the office-bearers of Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry condemned bomb attack on Peshawar's church and termed it a brutal and inhuman act against the values of Islam and humanity. They urged the government to mobilise all available resources to protect the life and property of each citizen, especially the minorities. They termed the situation alarming, saying that the prevailing circumstances warranted head-on measures by the government to rein in terrorists. They pointed out that it was the State's responsibility to safeguard its citizens against all sort of threats and requested the leaders of religious and political parties to take a firm collective stand against the enemies of humanity and country.
Meanwhile, the Christian community staged demonstrations against Peshawar suicide attack and blocked roads in different parts of the city. The protesters chanted slogans against the government for not providing security to Christian community and condemned the terrorism. Meanwhile at Pindi Bypass, protesters got out of control and started damaging public transport. However, timely intervention by the police averted any unpleasant situation.
In ATTOCK, the lawyers observed strike to condemn the church attack and express their solidarity with Christian community. In this regard a delegation of lawyers led by Advocate Sheikh Ahsanuddin visited a Church near Attock Bus Stand where they met Pastor Javed Johnson and offered condolence over the tragic incident. On the occasion, he assured Peter Johnson that all Pakistanis were with stand by Christian community in this hour of grief. He said that no religion allowed the killing of innocent human beings and those involved in Church attack had no religion and were not human beings rather worse than the beasts.
Meanwhile a special meeting was chaired by DCO Muhammad Iqbal to express condolence and solidarity with the Christian community. The meeting was also attended by DPO Israr Ahmad Abbasi, Pastor Javed Johnson and officers from different departments. The DCO pointed out that Christian community being patriotic Pakistani was playing its important role in the development of the country and made great sacrifices in the Pakistan movement. He said that the enemies of Pakistan were trying to create rift among Christian and Muslims but their nefarious designs would fail.
In KANGAPUR, the Christian community took out a protest rally from Thana Morr to Old Habib Bank Chowk and chanted slogans against the terrorists. They burnt tyres and blocked the main road.
Addressing the rally, Pastor Abid Shahzad claimed that attack on church is a conspiracy to sabotage the dialogue process between the government and Talban.
Former Nazim Mirza Qadir Ahmad, Markzi Anjuman-e-Tajran President Syed Arshad Husain and former Councillor Mansha Sindu also attend the rally. The former Nazim addressed the participants of the rally. Different political and religious organisations also expressed solidarity with the Christians.
Meanwhile in SARGODHA the Christian community, civil society and lawyers continued their protest against Peshawar tragedy. Pakistan Minorities Alliance Chairman Tahir Naveed Chaudhry said while addressing to a protest said that the government should take stern action against the killers of innocent women and children of Christian community. He asked the incumbent rulers to adopt solid steps for the protection of minorities. Furthermore, the District Bar Association observed strike on the call of Punjab Bar Council and lawyers boycotted the courts. Whereas different NGOs arranged various programmes to express solidarity with the Christian community.