- Protesters, enraged over Peshawar bombings, chant slogans against Imran Khan
- Churches to remain closed observing three-day mourning
- Human rights activists against negotiations with terrorists
Citizens of the provincial capital were united on Monday against the twin suicide bombings at All Saints Church in Peshawar the other day.
Different Christian rights organisations, minority rights and civil rights bodies staged protest rallies in various areas including Ring Road (Sandha), Bihar Colony, Yuhanabad, Joseph Colony Shad Bagh, Lahore Press Club, Charring Cross, Liberty Chowk, Shahdara, Bhatta Chowk, Walton Road, Makkah Colony, Garhi Shahu, Baghbanpura, Harbanspura, Ferozepur Road and Thokar Niaz Baig.
The protest at Yuhanabad turned violent when Christian youths started pelting stones at the police as the city administration tried to disperse protesters from Metro Bus Service route. Resultantly, three policemen received injuries. Police baton charged and fired tear gas. Some protesters reportedly looted shops. Police arrested eleven and registered cases against them.
The protestors demanded the Punjab government provide adequate security to the minorities and termed the incident as criminal negligence. All churches including missionary schools will remain closed for a three day mourning period.
Christian youth also blocked Ring Road near Babu Sabu early morning and chanted slogans against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and to ensure security of minorities.
The protest was led by PTI minorities leader Rufus Solomon, Pastor Mukhtar and Pastor Saleem Masih.
Prominent human rights activists and representatives of civil society organizations; HRCP, Aurat Foundation, AGHS and SAP-PK’s IA Rehman, Asma Jahangir, Hina Jilani, Nigar Ahmad, Hussain Naqi, Irfan Mufti, Farzana Mumtaz and Abdullah Malik participated and addressed the protesters.
Awami Workers Party chief Abid Hassan Minto and Farooq Tariq also joined the rally and stressed that the government should not go into negotiations with the Taliban involved in killing innocent people.
Asma Jahangir while addressing the gathering strongly opposed negotiations with the Taliban terming it as ‘shameful surrender’. IA Rehman, Nigar Ahmad, Farzana Mumtaz and Hina Jilani strongly condemned Peshawar blasts saying that terrorists had no religion and the government should deal with them with an iron hand.
Hina said that the dealing with the terrorists will lead to a dead-end as the government had no proper strategy adding that the Taliban contrary were well-organised.
The civil society representatives and politicians unanimously urged the government to end negotiations with the Taliban and to take action against them. They also chanted slogans ‘No Talks with Taliban’, ‘Stop Killings’ and ‘No Terrorism’ and declared them as anti-peace and anti-state elements.
Bishop of Lahore Irfan Jameel and Rev Shahid Meraj also participated in the protest, adding that terrorists had no religion as they were equally targeting churches and mosques. They asked the government to beef up security around worship places across the country.
Minhaj-ul-Quran, Pasban-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat also protested at Lahore Press Club to express solidarity with the Christian community. The protesters, carrying banners and placards raised slogans against the government’s negligence and demanded an end to terrorist activities.
The civil society also condemned the Peshawar blasts and termed it a brutal act of violence, against the values of Islam and humanity. Civil Society Network held a demonstration at the Charring Cross in which the civil society leaders said Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and such activities are intolerable. They said it the state’s responsibility to safeguard human lives under and Article 25 of the Constitution, 1973 all citizens are equal.
Civil society organisations under the banner of Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights also held a joint protest and rally from Regal Chowk to Charring Cross at the Mall Road in which later members of the Christian community also joined and blocked the road. It is pertinent to mention that the Mall Road is prohibited for holding any protest or rally under Section 144.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists under the leadership of Javed Akhtar staged a protest demonstration at the Liberty roundabout in which a large number of Christians also participated. They claimed that the KP government and the federal government had failed to provide security to the minorities. The rally was attended by PPP minorities leader Napolean Qayyum and other activists.
Qayyum condemned the massacre in Peshawar and urged the PML-N government to shun the idea of talks with the terrorists and launch a full scale operation in their safe havens.
Moreover, PTI also staged a protest rally at Liberty Chowk to show solidarity and unity with the Christians and the victims of the families. PTI MPA Dr Murad Rass led the rally and lit candles.
Furthermore, a special service was held at Waris Road Church attended by a large number. Special prayers were also offered at several churches.
Christian employees at various government hospitals also protested and chanted slogans against the KP government and the Taliban. Paramedical Association Punjab also staged a protest at Lahore Press Club and condemned the attack.
Similarly, protest rallies were also held in Peshawar where protestors burnt tyres, and tore posters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and chanted slogans against PTI Chairman Imran Khan.