‘Religious minorities stand with Pakistan in fight against terrorism’

Diwali to be observed with simplicity in memory of Quetta attack victims

Dr Khatu Mal Jeewan, the Sindh chief minister’s special assistant on minority affairs, on Wednesday urged the Hindu community in the province to celebrate Diwali with simplicity to express solidarity with the victims and families of Monday night’s terror attack on a Quetta police academy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Jeewan said special prayers for the sovereignty, prosperity and security of Pakistan would be organised at all worship places on Diwali.

He asserted that all minority communities of the country were standing in solidarity with their fellow citizens in this time of sorrow and grief.

“A terrorist has no religion; they are the enemies of all humanity. Followers of all religions are united in their disdain for terrorism and also in their resolve to eradicate this scourge from the country once and for all,” he said.

“A sense of brotherhood and interfaith harmony is vital for Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

It is a need of the hour for all of us to work together towards eliminating terrorism.”

Dr Jeewan reiterated that all minority communities were with Pakistan’s armed forces and thousands of jawans from the Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities were also serving to defend the motherland.

IGP security

Sindh IGP AD Khowaja issued orders calling for extraordinary security arrangements on the occasion of Diwali. The three-day Hindu festival would be marked from October 30 onwards.

The IGP directed his subordinates to prepare a concrete security strategy and also instructed all district police officers to enhance picketing, random snap checking and patrolling.