The members of National Assembly (MNAs) belonging to various political parties Monday strongly condemned suicide attacks on two churches in Lahore on Sunday and demanded setting up of a task force for providing security to religious places in the country.
Speaking on points of order, they also condemned burning of two suspects to death and damaging of government property by protesters.
Syed Naveed Qamar of Pakistan People’s Party said Lahore was chosen for killing innocent non-Muslim citizens to defame the country. The aim of terrorists was to portray the country’s as an uncivilized one.
Asiya Nasir of JUI-F said the entire nation was the target of terrorists without any discrimination of religion.
She said the heirs of 15 Christians and two policemen, who were killed in the Church bombings, should be given equal compensation under the Shuhada (martyrs) package. She expressed her reservations over inadequate security provided to the churches, saying the policemen on duty were allegedly watching a cricket match when the gory incident happened. She also criticised members of minority community for holding a violent protest after the blasts.
Khalil George said terrorists have no religion. He paid tribute to the security volunteers, who sacrificed their lives and did not allow the terrorists to enter the church.
“Terrorism should be exterminated with joint efforts. A task force should be constituted to provide security to religious places in the country,” he added.
Naeema Kishwar said the terrorist incidents were aimed at defaming the country. She condemned the violent protests and incident of burning of two suspects by mobs.
Dr Darshan said the blasts in churches were tantamount to an attack on the nation. He demanded stern punishment to the culprits of attacking the Lahore churches.
Rana Bhawan Das said the burning of two suspects by the angry mob was also an act of terrorism and culprits must be punished.
Syed Asif Hasnain said terror acts against minorities were aimed at defaming the country. The cases of such terror incidents should be referred to military courts, while police should be given training by military, he added.
Aisha Sayed said everybody should play its role for eliminating terrorism from the country. Terrorist elements should be isolated and zero tolerance should be ensured against the culprits. Terrorists should be awarded exemplary punishment, he added.
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour stressed on making intelligence network more effective for preventing such incidents. He urged Ulema to play their role in bringing peace and tranquillity in the country.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai said a joint session of the Parliament should be summoned for devising a consensus strategy against terrorism.
He said the country was in the state of war. All stakeholders should make joint efforts for exterminating the menace of terrorism from the country. He said it was time that the people should be told the truth that why the country was fighting a war against terror.
