LAHORE: Protests were held in the provincial metropolis here Sunday to register civil society’s anger over the killing of 15 Christians. Christian leaders condemned the incident and called for effective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). Civil Society Network and Centre for Human Rights Education organised a protest outside the Lahore Press Club, which was attended by activists Irfan Mufti, Samson Salamat, Abdullah Malik, Komal Patras, and Amna Malik. Speakers voiced their outrage over the inadequate security arrangements and said it was the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens regardless of religious differences. As cities are on high alert for possible attacks after executions of convicted terrorists, they lamented that there were only three police officers posted outside and a team of Christian volunteers had to defend the worshippers. Effective and immediate implementation of National Action Plan should be ensured to check extremism and terrorism in the name of religion, stated Samson Salamat, Director Centre for Human Rights Education Pakistan. He said the attack on the churches was actually an attack on Pakistan; however, the people were here to give a strong message to the terrorists groups that they were united against terrorism. Speakers appealed to the protesters to adopt peaceful means and ways to record their protest and observe peace. Irfan Mufti said Pakistan and terrorism could not go together and we as a nation need to stand united against the Taliban and other militant outfits. Mufti strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. They called for raids on terrorist dens in South Punjab and inclusion of minority concerns in the 20 points of the National Action Plan. The protesters carrying placards and banners chanted slogans against the attack on Christian community and other terror incidents in the name of religion and sect. Archbishop (Protestant) Irfan Jameel and Archbishop (Catholic) Sebastian Shaw talking to The News condemned the incident and expressed their grievances against the ineffective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to curb terrorism. They stated that despite making arrests and registering religious seminaries under NAP, the government still had to eliminate banned outfits and others responsible for circulating hate material inciting violence. They told The News that the growth of religious radicalism and intolerance needed to be seriously addressed under the NAP. Both groups, Catholic and Protestant, will hold prayers in their churches for the deceased and injured. Meanwhile, Christians in Nankana Sahib refused to vote in NA-137 by elections in protest of the attack, it was learnt. Dr Paul Bhatti, Chairman of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), talking to The News demanded the government deal with the culprits with iron hands, and announced a seven-day mourning period for the tragic incident. Meanwhile, APMA Vice-Chairperson Najmi Saleem visited the Roman Catholic Church and Christchurch in Yuhannabad and visited the injured in General Hospital. President of the Hindu Council Pandit Manohar Chand also expressed solidarity with the Christian community and said security of Hindu temples was urgently required as terror attacks in recent months, including in APS Peshawar and Shikarpur imambargahs, were singling out religious minorities. PML-N MPA and a part of the Sikh community, Ramesh Singh Arora said it was a tragic day for all religious minorities in Pakistan and the image of Pakistan had been tarnished at the international level. He lamented that the government had not provided foolproof security despite threats. Bishop of All Saints Church Peshawar, which came under a brutal attack in 2013, Peter Humphrey, told The News that the negligence of the government in a bid to maintain power and support of hardline religious elements had cost Pakistan a huge loss. The Bishop said the community today needed assurance from its government that it would come to their rescue in the face of intolerance. He said the federal government had yet to release promised funds of Rs200 million for an endowment fund for the targeted community in Peshawar.
