RAWALPINDI: Interim Minister for Human Rights Khalil George with a delegation comprising local religious scholars and top officials of the city administration on Friday visited Christian Colony on Dhoke Syedan Road to express solidarity with them over the Jaranwala incident.
During the visit, the religious scholars condemned the August 16 incident of Jaranwala where a mob had attacked and burnt churches and houses of the Christians over some blasphemy issue. They termed such attacks against the basic teachings of Islam.
The interim minister said all minorities living in Pakistan were protected and had religious freedom.
On this occasion, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha said the Jaranwala incident was reprehensible and that Islam taught decent behaviour towards minorities.
Therefore, he said, all Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities had equal rights and religious freedom in the country.
“We are all Pakistanis. Pakistan belongs to all of us. There is interfaith harmony at all levels,” he added.
Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali, City Police Officer Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, members of the peace committee and other city officials were also present on this occasion.
Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2023
