CM Naqvi says Islam teaches dignified treatment of minorities

Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that Islam teaches its followers to treat minorities with respect, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a function held at a church in Jaranwala, the chief minister said that work was in progress for the repair and restoration of homes and churches, which had been destroyed and burnt in riots that broke out in the city a few days ago over the allegation of desecration of the holy Quran.

“Rs2 million will be given to each family for the repair of their home,” he announced.

It was yesterday, on Saturday, that Justice Qazi Faez Isa, a senior judge of the Supreme Court (SC), visited Faisalabad district’s Jaranwala tehsil to talk to members of the Christian community after Wednesday’s riots over alleged blasphemy.

On August 16, angry mobs of people targeted the Christian community, ransacking and torching their churches and homes there, leaving at least 19 churches and 86 homes in ruins.

In the crackdown that ensued, the Punjab police arrested at least 145 alleged miscreants, including two prime suspects, out of total 1,470 persons who had been booked in connection with the incidents of violence.

The vandalism and arson sparked nationwide outrage, with various religious clerics strongly condemning the incident and urging exemplary punishment to be given to the perpetrators.