Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jeff Jordan who wrote (41277)	10/30/2001 6:19:20 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50167

Bishop Andrew Francis said that though it is a black day, it also has a silverlining as the followers of all religions have participated in the last rites of the victims of terrorism. Meanwhile, complete strike was observed Monday to protest Sunday’s tragedy in which 18 Christians were killed and around 12 seriously injured by unknown terrorists in the Bahawalpur church. All the markets, bazars and shopping centres remained closed on Monday also to express complete solidarity and sympathy with the Christians and to protest against terrorism. The Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, said on Monday that the prime and foremost duty of a government is to protect the life and property of citizens, and it will not allow terrorists to play with the lives of innocent people. Addressing a gathering at the Bahawalpur church after his arrival here on a brief visit to condole the killing of 18 Christians, gunned down by some unknown terrorists here Sunday and also to sympathise with the bereaved families, the Governor said: “Our enemy is unhappy over the fact that we have decided to stand by the world community for the elimination of terrorism, and that is why it is trying to create chaos in the country for the achievement of its nefarious designs.” Addressing the gathering the Governor assured justice to the bereaved families and directed the local administration to arrest the culprits within a week. “Otherwise strict action would be initiated against the responsible for negligence,” warned the Governor. He appealed to the Christian community to remain peaceful in the present situation. He said that the killing of 18 innocent people is a big loss as they were all Pakistani nationals. The Governor assured that all-out efforts would be made to arrest the culprits. He said that he had come here on the special directive of President General Pervez Musharraf to express profound grief and sorrow over the tragic incident and also to assure complete assistance and cooperation at this hard time. Bishop Andrew Francis and Bishop John Alexander also spoke on the occasion and assured the community to remain cool and calm during this tense period, saying “we are Pakistanis and will never go against Pakistan.” They extended their gratitudes to the government and the local administration over complete support and cooperation during this period. Punjab Home Secretary Brig. (Retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, District Nazim Tariq Bashir Cheema, DCO Bahawalpur Syed Shaukat Ali Shah, DIG Police Ghulam Qadir Mehar, Maulana Abdul Qadir Azad, Bishop Andrew Francis, Bishop Samuel John, Bishop John Mall, S.K. Dass, Father Rookas Patras were also present. He said Pakistan, at present, is very strong on the external front but there is a dire need to maintain an atmosphere of unity and brotherhood to strengthen the internal front. He said Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism for the past many years. Those involved in the bloodshed of our Christian brethren are also responsible for murder and sabotage in the mosques and Imambargahs. Islam has given clear injunctions about the protection of life and property of minorities, he added. He issued orders to the administration, police and head of District Government to spare no effort for tracing out the culprits involved in this heinous crime so that they could be awarded deterrent punishment. Expressing his gratitude to President General Pervez Musharraf and The Punjab Governor, Making an appeal to the Christian community for exercising patience and restraint, he said that no political or religious group will be allowed to make political capital out of this tragedy. He also paid rich tributes to the Governor Punjab on his visit to Bahawalpur to share the grief of the bereaved families soon after taking oath as Governor Punjab. Maulana Abdul Qadir Azad expressing his solidarity with the Christian community said that Pakistan is our homeland irrespective of differences of caste and creed and its protection is our joint responsibility. Later, Governor Punjab went to Bahawal Victoria Hospital and inquired about the health of the injured. With regard to the health and treatment facilities being extended by the hospital administration, the patients informed the Governor that best possible medical care was being given to them. The Governor, while addressing a meeting of ulema and local administration at Circuit House, said that ulema and Mashaikh enjoy great respect in society and, therefore, it is their religious and national duty to play their fullest role for promoting peace, amity and brotherhood in the country so as to check recurrence of such incidents in future. Earlier, the Governor was received at Bahawalpur Airport by District Nazim Tariq Bashir Cheema, DCO Syed Shaukat Ali Shah and DIG Ghulam Qadir Mehar.