A meeting was held at Cathedral Church Lahore on Monday to evolve a strategy to avoid incidents similar to the Badami Bagh tragedy in future. The meeting was chaired by Advisor to Prime Minister on National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti and included Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill, Badshahi Mosque Khateeb Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Maulana Zubair Ahmad Zaheer, MPA Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, Bishop Alexander John Malik and others. The members of the meeting urged the federal and provincial governments to arrest the accused with the help of TV footage and try them under the anti-terrorism law. A committee comprising Muslim scholars, bishops and Christian scholars was formed which would extend support to the victims and also monitor the situation. The meeting also declared that a person involved in desecrating holy books and prophets does not belong to any religion. Bishop Alexander John Malik said Christians respected the prophets and holy books of other religions like they respected the Holy Bible and Hazrat Isa (AS). Abdul Khabeer Azad said strict action should be taken against the accused. Later, the members of the meeting visited Badami Bagh and offered prayers for the affected people.
Friday to be observed as day of tolerance: Clerics of various sects decided to observe a day of tolerance on Friday to express solidarity with the Christians of the country. Religious scholar Allama Tahir Ashrafi demanded that those responsible for the Badami Bagh tragedy be dealt with strictly. He demanded those involved be tried under anti-terrorism act.
