ISLAMABAD – While eulogising late Shahbaz Bhatti’s remarkable contribution for advocating moderation, human rights, justice, tolerance and interfaith harmony, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday said Bhatti’s assassination should not be projected negatively, as it would only help advance the nefarious agenda of terrorists. The prime minister was talking to a Canadian delegation led by Jason Kenney, minister for multiculturalism, citizenship and immigration that called on here at the PM House.
The delegation included Senator Salma Ataullahjan, member of the Canadian Upper House of Parliament. The prime minister said the continued support and understanding of the international community was of vital importance for Pakistan’s masses in the fight against intolerance and extremism. He said the misuse of any law in the country could not be accepted and the government was already in consultation with all religious and political stakeholders.
The prime minister said illiteracy and poverty were the root causes of extremism and terrorism and the friends of Pakistan must fulfill their commitments to help his government’s efforts for socio-economic development. He called Canada an important partner in Pakistan’s development Talking to a delegation of Christian Church Association later, Gilani said the sacrifices made by the prominent leaders of the country, including Benazir Bhutto, for the sake of principles would not go in vain.
These sacrifices had strengthened the government’s resolve to pursue the ideas of interfaith harmony and protection of fundamental rights as well as lives and properties of the minorities. He said the government would take all measures to protect places of worships of minorities and their communities across the country. The prime minister said terrorists wanted to create terror and destabilise the country.
The leader of the delegation said the prime minister’s assurances had greatly helped heal the wounds of the Christian community and despite provocation by various elements, Christians remained calm, as they believe that the party in power had rendered great sacrifices for the cause of minorities. Later, Senate Deputy Chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali and representatives of Utch Power Company also met Gilani at his Parliament House chamber.
