LAHORE Legislators from across the political divide, mainly from the minorities, paid rich tributes to slain federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, saying he worked for rights of the oppressed and was portraying a soft image of Pakistan in world community. Speaking at the Punjab Assembly floor during debate on the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti on Monday, the legislators termed the incident a great loss for the nation that further damaged image of Pakistan besides deepening sense of insecurity among minorities. The legislators from minorities demanded making speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the constituent assembly on August 11, 1947 a preamble of the constitution, saying the founder of Pakistan pledged equal rights to minorities. They vowed to continue the mission of Shahbaz Bhatti which aimed at making Pakistan a state as envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam. Opening debate on the issue, provincial minister for minorities affairs Kamran Michael said Shahbaz Bhatti was representing soft image of the country. He said it was a pity that Shahbaz Bhatti was not given bullet proof vehicle and proper security even after he was receiving life threats. He said the tragedy was a matter of concern not only for the minorities but for the entire nation. He said his would not go waste and the minorities would work for the solidarity of country. Clarifying federal government position on a point of order, opposition Leader Raja Riaz Ahmed said Shahbaz Bhatti used to avoid security while going to meet his mother. He said President Zardari had termed the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti an attack on himself (Zardari). Challenging the assertions of Raja Riaz regarding security to Bhatti, Tahir Khaleeq Sandhu questioned that why federal government not provided bullet proof vehicle and residence to Bhatti in ministers colony. He said even if the minister refused security he should had been given invisible security cover. He thanked those Muslims who condoled and expressed sorrow and grief over the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. He said the minorities rendered matchless services and played pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan and they would continue to work for the solidarity of the country. He said all minority members voted for Pakistan before the boundary commission. Mrs Najmi Saleem said Shahbaz Bhatti had done practical work for the betterment of minorities that were unprecedented in the past. She said extremists had brutally killed him which was an attempt to damage the image of Pakistan. Joel Amir Sohotra said it was the patriotism of the minorities that they sang national anthem of Pakistan before offering prayers for Shahbaz Bhatti in his funereal. He asked as where was the Pakistan about which they were promised. He said the treatment meted out to the minorities foiled all tall claims and arguments about their protection. He pledged they would not lose courage and would continue their struggle to mould Pakistan in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam. He demanded of the government to include in the national syllabus the role of minority in the making of Pakistan. Pervez Rafiq read out the text of Quaid-e-Azams speech on August 11, 1947. He said Shahbaz Bhatti became target of a specific mindset which was being developed to corner the minorities. He stated March 2, 2011, would be the black day in the history of Pakistan. He said that when Shahbaz Bhatti was killed, there was a leaflet lying close to him attributing the responsibility of murder to the Punjabi Taliban. He made it clear Bhatti was not against 295-C of PPC but he was against its misuse. He said the Christians had greater respect for all the prophets and Shahbaz Bhatti had consulted different religious scholars before taking clear stance on the law. He deplored that a country where the murderer of Governor Salman Taseer was being garlanded by the lawyers and religious extremists, the lives of minorities would remain insecure. He said they should not be identified with US, Canada and Europe as they belonged to Pakistan and they would prefer to die here. He condemned political leaders who were supporting the extremists for few votes. He claimed maltreatment at the hands of Punjab law minister when he moved a resolution in the assembly on misuse of 295-C. Shahzad Elahi said the people who were bent upon damaging Pakistan were being favoured by the governments. He deplored the person who was alleged to be mastermind of Gojra incident was tehsil president of a political party and likewise the CCPO who was held responsible for the incident by the judicial commission was posted as CCPO Lahore. Rana Afzal said he his party was opposed to the mindset of killing innocent and attacking educational institutions. He, however, said no discrimination was meted out to minorities.