News Desk
Lahore, June 26, 2024:
Prominent leaders from various minority communities gathered at the Lahore Press Club to address the ongoing misuse of blasphemy laws, mob violence, and attacks on religious minorities. The press conference was a unified call for urgent legislative action to protect these communities.
The joint press conference included notable figures such as Samson Salamat, Chairman of Rawadari Tehreek Pakistan, former Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Ejaz Alam Augustine, Very Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar of the Church of Pakistan, Bishop Rev. Abraham Daniel of Sahiwal, Moderator Rev. Reuben Qamar of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, Victor Azraiah, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Pakistan, and Rev. Obaid Khokhar, Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church. Other participants included Rev. Amjad Niamat, Chairman of the Ecumenical Commission Presbyterian Church, Punjab Assembly members Sonia Ashar MPA and Tariq Gill, social activists Sharon Shamir, Ramma Khokhar, Aroon Arthur, Riaz Aassi, and Dr. Adoo Ram.
The leadership condemned the recent lynching incidents involving Nazir Masih of Sargodha and a tourist in Swat following blasphemy allegations. While acknowledging the resolutions passed by the National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, and the Senate of Pakistan condemning these acts, the leaders stressed that these measures are insufficient without proper legislation and effective implementation.
The conference called for several urgent actions:
1. Grand Debate and Legislation: A comprehensive debate in the National Assembly, Senate, and Provincial Assembly on the misuse of blasphemy laws, lynching, and violence against minorities, followed by the introduction of a Minorities Protection Bill. The leadership urged the government and political parties to address this issue as a priority.
2. Ban on Extremist Outfits: Immediate action against extremist groups spreading hate and inciting violence under the guise of blasphemy. The leaders called for a ban on these outfits and strict measures against their activities.
3. Fair Trials: Ensuring speedy and fair trials for those involved in the Jaranwala tragedy, and the lynchings of Nazir Masih and the tourist in Swat, free from the influence of extremist groups.
4. Enhanced Protection Measures: Developing effective strategies to improve the capacity and efficiency of the police and law enforcement agencies to protect citizens and their properties from mob violence triggered by blasphemy allegations.
5. Long-term De-radicalization Plan: Implementing a comprehensive plan to combat radicalization, including enforcing hate speech laws, removing biased material from educational curricula, and maintaining zero tolerance for extremist militant outfits and their supporters.
