PM Kakar, CM Naqvi visit violence-hit Jaranwala

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will visit Jaranwala today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The caretaker premier will meet the affected people of the Christian community. He will be briefed about the police investigation by provincial IG Police Dr Usman Anwar into the burning down of churches and Christians’ houses in Jaranwala.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi will also apprise the premier of progress on the matter by the provincial government.

PM Kakar will be accompanied by Punjab CM Naqvi, federal ministers, and other members of his interim cabinet.

Sources said that the premier might announce a big compensation package for the affected families during his visit. He is also likely to announce a well-defined policy regarding human rights, they added.

Addressing a function held at a church in Jaranwala on Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Naqvi said that Islam teaches its followers to treat minorities with respect.

He 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.

FO says Jaranwala culprits to be brought to justice

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office categorically stated yesterday that the government of Pakistan would not rest until those responsible for the vile acts in Jaranwala were apprehended and brought to justice.

While responding to media queries about the remarks by some governments on the unfortunate incident in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, on 16 August 2023, Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “We reiterate what we have said earlier. The Faisalabad incident is a sad reprehensible incident that has hurt the sentiments of Christians across Pakistan. The incident has been strongly condemned by Pakistan’s leadership and the entire Pakistani society. Such intolerant and violent acts are unacceptable to the ethos of Pakistani society.”

She said, “The wheels of justice have been set in motion. The incident has also reignited an inter-faith dialogue of tolerance and mutual respect and understanding in Pakistan,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and Church of Pakistan on Sunday jointly established a 24-member committee in a concerted effort to address the tragic incident in Jaranwala, foster interfaith and interdenominational unity, and quell extremist narratives.

Co-chaired by PUC Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Church of Pakistan President Bishop Azad Marshal, the committee comprises diverse leaders including Bishop Aleem Anwar, Bishop Arshad Joseph, Muswar Abbasi, Pastor Immanuel Khokhar, Zaheer Abbas, Pastor Shahzad Gul, Pastor Immanuel Lorraine, Bishop Leoradic Paul, Bishop Alvin Samorel, Mishaal Samorel, Sahil Advocate, Pir Naqibur Rehman, Sahibzada Hassan Haseebur Rehman, Maulana Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Allama Arif Wahidi, Allama Tahirul Hasan, Maulana Asadullah Farooq, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui, Farzd Islam, Sardar Ajmal Advocate, Sajid Iqbal Advocate and other dignitaries.