MNAs call for reforms in school curriculum in wake of Christian student’s lynching in Vehari

ISLAMABAD: The members of the National Assembly on Tuesday voiced their concerns regarding the persecution of minorities in the country and criticised educational institutions for promoting intolerance among students.

MNA Khaleel George, while referring to the alleged lynching of Christian schoolboy in Vehari last month, said that this is a moment of deep reflection for the nation as the school boy, Sharoon Masih, lost his life because he drank water in the same glass as the other boys.

“Our school curricula need to be revised to reflect interfaith harmony. The minorities of this country feel alone at the moment,” he added.

While expressing grief on Sharoon Masih’s death, Shazia Marri said, “Mashal Khan also lost his life as a result of intolerance within an educational institution.”

“This mindset is fast becoming prevalent in our institutions and society, while the state has shut its eyes,” she added.

Marri asked, “No liberal feels safe in Pakistan. The question is why is the National Action Plan not being implemented?”

Speaking on the matter, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Asad Umar said, “It is our responsibility to take care of this nation’s minorities,” adding, “The real danger is this mindset that promotes violence in the society.”

The MNA demanded strict action against the forces promoting violence in the society.

He said, “The ones maligning the name of religion and Pakistan by falsely calling this Islam need to be brought to justice.”

Last month, Sharoon Masih, a class IX student, was killed in a school in Burewala city of Vehari district by at least one Muslim classmate.

Sharoon Masih wanted to leave the school during recess for home but his classmate Ahmed Raza tried to stop him.

He viciously punched and kicked Sharoon, who collapsed on the school premises and later, he was received dead at the Burewala Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

Sub-Inspector Kashif said that Ahmed had thrashed and kicked Sharoon. The victim’s family claims the attack was religiously motivated.

On Monday, the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) took notice of the killing and sought a report on the matter from the district police officer concerned.

NCHR Chairman Justice (r) Ali Nawaz Chowhan expressed concern over the boy’s lynching allegedly by his Muslim classmates, an official statement stated.

“The NCHR will protect and promote human rights of all minorities without any discrimination and condemn such acts of violence not only at school but everywhere,” it said.

He said the incident was reflective of the school’s poor administrative control as it was not able to perform its functions faithfully.

Chowhan asked for a detailed report from the Vehari police officer under Section 9 of the National Commission for Human Rights Act 2012 over the killing.