ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday reiterated the government’s resolve to bring to book those behind the assassination of Minorities’ Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti. At the eve of funeral prayers held for the late Bhatti at a local church, Gilani said, “It is a sad day. I was totally shocked (on the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti), because he was not only a great leader, was not only allied with the PPP, but was a friend and worker of Benazir Bhutto.”
The prime minister eulogised Bhatti’s services and contribution as a member of parliament, a minister and a party leader, particularly for the promotion of inter-faith harmony in the country. He said Bhatti, owing to his dedication and hard work and his mission for the inter-faith harmony, had earned an image nationally and internationally. “His death is a great loss to the nation, great loss to the party, great loss to the parliament and a great loss to our cabinet”, Gilani remarked.
He said the founder of the country, Quaid-e-Azam always spoke for the rights of minorities, adding that the white colour in the Pakistani flag represented the country’s minorities.
