News Desk
Islamabad:
On Sunday, June 23, 2024, the National Assembly (NA) passed a resolution strongly condemning recent mob lynching incidents across Pakistan. The resolution, introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, emphasized the constitutional right to life and insisted that all individuals be treated according to the law.
The resolution addressed the rising concern over mob violence, citing recent cases in Swat and Sargodha where individuals accused of offenses were brutally lynched. The Assembly declared that such actions are intolerable in any civilized society.
The NA urged both federal and provincial governments to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly religious minorities and vulnerable segments of society. It called for immediate measures from the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab to identify, investigate, and prosecute those involved in these incidents.
The resolution also stressed the need for the courts to deliver immediate and speedy justice in these cases to prevent future occurrences of similar events. Additionally, it called for comprehensive action against individuals involved in violence against minorities.
This resolution followed a recent incident in Swat, where a man was lynched over allegations of desecrating the Holy Quran. The victim, a local tourist, was beaten to death by a mob, and his body, along with the police station where he was held, was set ablaze.
During the session, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed deep concern over the increasing violence against minorities, noting the international embarrassment such incidents cause for Pakistan. Asif emphasized that Pakistan belongs to all its citizens, including Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs, and called for a clear message from the NA supporting the protection of minority rights. He highlighted the need for a unanimous stance against the misuse of religion and the exploitation of religious sentiments for personal disputes.
Pakistan has seen a rise in mob lynching and violence against minorities in recent years. Last month, a Christian man in his seventies was attacked by a mob in Sargodha, Punjab, and later died from his injuries. In another incident in 2021, a Sri Lankan factory manager was lynched, prompting global outcry and resulting in the death sentences of six people involved.
The resolution is seen as a significant step towards addressing and preventing religiously motivated violence in Pakistan.