'Killers of Mufti Ateeq, Qari Irshad to be taken to task'

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq visited Jamia Binnoria here on Sunday and assured its Chancellor Mufti Mohammad Naeem that the assassins of Mufti Ateeq and Qari Irshad would be taken to task. The Minister also expressed grief and condolences over the assassination of the two scholars of Jamia Binnoria and offered 'dua' for solace to the departed souls.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace.
Addressing a press conference at Jamia Binnoria, the Minister said that the government is determined to take the perpetrators of terrorism to task for which every means would be utilised.
He said the terrorists have no religion nor connection with any party or social sector. The only motive of terrorists is to spread lawlessness in the country.
Ejaz said that maintenance of law and order is basically the responsibility of the provincial government. However, the federal government also plays its part as and when required. He said he would discuss the matter of such terrorism with the President and Prime Minister and suggest to them to take action against such incidents on war footing.
He praised the role of Ulema during such incidents of terrorism whether in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta or other cities, and recalled that Ulema always exhibited forbearance, sagacity and tolerance despite the air of emotion stirred by such incidents.
He categorically said that no form of sectarianism existed in the country, nor there was any conflict between any schools of thought. He said it is the endeavour of the government to formulate a strategy to stop recurrence of such incidents by calling an All Parties Conference.
Ejaz also visited State Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain who is admitted in Aga Khan Hospital. He inquired about the health and welfare of Dr Amir. Ejaz said that Dr Amir had told him that no harm was caused to him by anyone related to Jamia Binnoria. On the contrary, the Jamia provided him full protection.
The Minister also visited the office of Sunni Tehreek and met its leader Iftikhar Bhatti. There he expressed condolences over the death of Sunni Tehreek workers in various incidents of violence and prayed for solace to their departed souls.
He assured that those responsible for the killing of ST workers would be brought to book.
After the press conference the Minister handed over a cheque of Rs 20.092 million to Provincial Minister Manzoor Panhwar as compensation for the victims of various incidents of terrorism which occurred at various Madressah or places of worship.