Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday condemned the kidnapping of 25 Christians in Peshawar last night, asking the authorities to punish the culprits. While responding to a point of order raised by a minority MNA in the National Assembly, the prime minister said the interior ministry acted promptly and recovered all the abducted minority people from Peshawar.
"The Peoples Party has always strived for the rights of minorities and will continue to protect them," he added.
The Prime Minister said that one Muslim, also kidnapped with the Christians, was still missing and efforts were underway for his recovery. The Prime Minister further said that the government would fulfil its commitment for creating seats for minorities in the Senate through the proposed constitutional package.
Gilani also sought the support of the minorities irrespective of their party affiliation to get the proposed package passed when it is tabled in the Parliament. He said he would also direct the concerned authorities that minorities' quota in the jobs should be strictly adhered to and there should be no violation in this regard.
Earlier, PML-Q minority member Akram Masih Gill on a point of order said that around 25 persons of Christian community were kidnapped by the Lashkar-e-Taliban from Peshawar when they were celebrating birthday of a child.
He condemned that after coming the present government into power in the NWFP, the cases of minority's harassment have been increased. He expressed thanks to the government for timely action and the subsequent recovery of 16 persons but urged the government to make sure the rights of minorities in the country were protected.
Shahbaz Bhatti, another minority member said that he brought the incident into the notice of Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A Rehman Malik who immediately talked to Political Agent for safe recovery of the kidnapped. He informed the House that due to the prompt action of the authorities, all the kidnapping persons were released and reached their houses.
Munawer Lal said that minorities are over two percent of the total population of Pakistan and the government needs to ensure the protection of their rights.
He said kidnapping incidents of the minorities in Sindh have also been increased, particularly the Hindu community is being targeted. He demanded of the government should investigate that whether it was conspiracy to malign the image of the country. PML-Q leady member Marvi Memon said the house should pass a resolution condemning victimisation of minorities.
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