LAHORE – Pledging to rebuild ruined homes and shops in four days, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced Rs300,000 increase in assistance for each Badami Bagh tragedy-affected person.
 “The reconstruction of damaged houses has begun and it will be finished in four days,” the chief minister said while talking to Christian leaders at a meeting in Model Town on Sunday. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanullah Khan, Pervaiz Rashid and Kamran Micheal, other lawmakers and top officials also attended the meeting.
“One hundred and thirty-one persons have been arrested and the Anti-Terrorists Court take up the case,” he said vowing to bring culprits to justice. “The attack on Christians has brought shame on the nation. I, as a head of provincial govt… seek apology from Christians over this tragedy”, he said.
“There is no justification of such acts after the arrest of accused, the chief minister said, adding that the Punjab government had written to the Lahore High Court registrar for a judicial probe into the arson. He told the visiting Christian leaders about action against negligent cops.
Shahbaz said the repair work of houses will be carried out round the clock. He said that a health camp has been set up for providing treatment to the affected people whereas committees, comprising lawmakers and bureaucrats, will monitor the rehab activities.
He assured that the grievances of Christian community would be redressed and demands of justice would be fulfilled at all costs. National Council of Churches President Bishop Dr Azad Marshal lauded the chief minister for his steps to cope with the challenge, saying that Shahbaz did for what he was known for.