Several victims of the Badami Bagh incident are still waiting for the promised food and shelter, as the government started distribution of aid to the affected on Monday. Scores of victims gathered at the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) town hall to collect the financial aid pledged by the government; however they complained that they were still facing poor living conditions. Despite Punjab government’s efforts, victims of Joseph Colony are facing difficulties. The food supply by the government is poor, the management of distribution is unorganised and many people remained without food which caused displays of frustration and anger.
Meanwhile 14 suspected rioters were sent to jail on judicial remand to an Anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday.
Police presented 35 suspects of the Badami Bagh incident before an ATC amid high security. The suspects were presented before ATC No.3 judge Iran Saeed.
Officials said out of the 35 accused, 14 were nominated while 21 were unknown.
A large number of relatives of the accused also gathered outside the court, alleging that the suspects were arrested by police during overnight raids.
A resident of Joseph Colony who had come for aid said, “My name is not listed even though I have lodged several complaints. Everyone sends me to someone else and now the distribution process will be finished and I will be left without any aid”. Another resident said proper distribution of food and shelter was nowhere to be seen. “We have to pass our nights on the roads or footpaths. There are many who are not residents of Joseph Colony and are trying to steal our right. The government should check thoroughly before distribution,” he said.
Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal during the distribution of aid said, “We will provide each and every possible facility to the victims and the process of distribution will be safe and sound. We will distinguish between original and fake victims through a survey”. He further said camps for all victims have been set up and construction of houses will be completed within three days. Camp offices of all concerned authorities such as LDA, WASA, and Town Administration have been asked to facilitate victims, he said.
Basra seeks Shahbaz’s resignation
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Deputy Parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Shaukat Mehmud Basra demanded that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif resign over his failure in preventing the Badami Bagh episode. He said it was not the first time Christians were targeted, adding that similar incidents had occurred in Faisalabad, Sialkot and other parts of the province. In a statement on Monday, he said Sharif was hoodwinking people by forming committees. In fact, he said, the Punjab government sought time to hush up the tragedy in Badami Bagh. “Had the chief minister taken serious notice of the incidents, the Badami Bagh episode would not have occurred,” he said.
He said the PPP always took practical steps for protection of minorities and the president had already announced financial assistance for the victims. Basra said torching of houses had earned a bad name for the country. He said, “We should all give due respect to all sects and minorities of Pakistan.”