Islamabad: United Council of Churches Islamabad Executive Director Pastor Samson Sohail has urged the government to hold a fair and transparent inquiry into the Jardanwala incident and bring the culprits involved, to justice.
He said instead of punishing the individual or waiting for the state to take action, 21 Churches have been burned with Bibles in them.
“The existing three inspired books i.e. the Bible, the Psalms and the Torah have also been burnt. Do anyone has the right to burn these holy books,” he said in a press conference here at the National Press Club on Thursday.
He said fear has been spread among our children, the residents have been displaced from their homes. “No government minister or security agency official has visited the affected area besides condemning the attacks.
Sohail said we were also citizens of this country and are Pakistanis. “We have also given our lives, the world is recognized because of the services of our community in education, medical and every field. We have played our role in the development of the country. This country is also ours.
“We strongly condemn the attacks. All incidents like Joseph Colony, Sargodha incident, Gujranwala incident, Shanti Nagar incident, and all the other incidents that have happened till today, no one has been punished. Strict punishment should be given so that no one will refrain from doing such a shameful act in future. We believe that this incident is a bigger tragedy than the events of May 9, so like the GHQ incident, we also request our Pakistan Army to take strict action against the culprits.
They should conduct a fair inquiry and cases should be registered against those involved in these incidents. FIRs should be filed against those seen in the footage and those who made announcements and created agitation among the people which led to this tragedy.
He said this terrorist mindset should be suppressed because these people are causing defamation of Islam, which is tarnishing not only Islam but also the good name of Pakistan.
“A committee should be appointed to investigate all these incidents in an impartial manner. If our demands are not met, then we will be forced to come to the streets. The government is urged to provide protection to the minorities living in Pakistan, especially the Christian community. They should restore all affected churches, to compensate those who have suffered financial loss. The government should immediately form a task force for the protection of churches across the country or set up a force like the Rangers. The international organizations and the United Nations are also demanded to play their positive role for the protection of the minorities living in Pakistan, especially the Christians,” he said.