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Nisar for punishing law breakers; reaffirms to cleanse society of terrorists
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ISLAMABAD - Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday reaffirmed to cleanse society of terrorists and said that law breakers shall have to face the law and the nation needs to stand united to thwart their ulterior motives.
“The Lahore incident is tragic and widely condemned. But, burning people alive and damaging state and personal property is also not justified. What the people did at Lahore was like forwarding the agenda of terrorists,” he said in National Assembly in response to the speeches of the other day. The minister informed the House that in all 21 people were killed in suicide attack at Lahore churches and other related incidents. “This figure includes 14 Christians and 07 Muslims. In suicide attack 10 Christians and 05 Muslims were killed. Later on two Muslims were burnt alive by protesters, two injured expired at hospitals and two Christians were run over by a female driven car who was running it away to save her life after protestors had attacked her.” He said, “Those who attacked Churches will be punished but those who burnt human beings alive shall also not escape. We shall nab the law breakers and bring them to justice.”
Nisar said that during last 14 years minorities suffered numerous attacks but the Christian leaders has expressed restraint which was appreciated. “However, in Lahore incident the reaction was unlawful and violent. Such acts fulfill the agenda of the terrorists. What we need is to express restraint and stand united against terrorism.” The minister said that if mosques and Imam Bargahs came under attack in Shikarpur, Quetta and other parts of Pakistan and the heirs did not burn anyone then why in this case. He said that out of two, who were burnt, one has been identified and he was a peaceful and an innocent citizen. “Killing innocent people and staging violence to create sectarian strife is motive of terrorists and what happened in Lahore was also the same what the terrorists had desired.”
“So what we need to manifest in response to their attack, is to forge unity instead of being violent. Today situation has improved but the war is not yet over. So we need to be sane and responsible,” he said. “Lahore incident is a disgrace for Pakistan, democracy and law. If we shall respond that way, it means we are forwarding their agenda,” he said. “We cannot close down our schools, markets and worship places rather we need to live as a vibrant and responsible society.” He said, “Today the security and intelligence agencies have better coordination, today we have an action plan and today there is also need for unity in our ranks. Whatever the challenges are we shall win this war and bring peace to our motherland and bring terrorists to justice.” He also informed the House that with better coordination of the federal and provincial government, two perpetrators of Shikarpur attack have been arrested.
Focusing on the third matter regarding capital punishment to a stated juvenile in Sindh, the minister said, the person was awarded capital punishment in 2004 by an Anti Terrorist Court and the verdict was upheld by Sindh High Court in 2006 and by Supreme Court in 2007. Even his mercy petition was rejected by the president in 2012. “As the issue was well discussed at social media and official statements by couple of political parties, I took up the matter at concerned quarters but could not get any evidence about his age from our record and from the provincial departments,” he explained. The minister said that the day for awarding him punishment has been set and he will be hanged after 36 hours. “Therefore, I request everybody that if anybody has any proof about his age, it should be provided.”
Explaining further, the minister said that he has been looking into the matter for the last two months and contacted provincial government also. But, it is beyond perception that as to why the age issue was not raised at ATC, High Court, Supreme Court and in the mercy petition sent to the president. He said that there was no record of the CNICs of mother and father as well as of the stated person. What in all we could get was data of his brother whose age is 44. But, this could also not ascertain his age. Then the Interior Ministry wrote to Sindh provincial government to get his DNA done to know the actual age but the request was turned down by the provincial government. “We made every possible effort to ascertain his age and what we got only was the record of jail that had stated that when the person was jailed in 2008 his age by doctor was ascertained at 25 and by jail authorities at 23,” the minister said.
The Minister said, “Now when 36 hours are remaining we would appreciate if anybody can provide any valid information about his age as he also stated that one who was killed was also a seven year kid who and whose family also have a right to justice. In this situation I can only request to keep the politics aside and go by the rules and law.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk