Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti inspected the Church in Mardan that was set ablaze by miscreants in the guise of protestors last Friday. The Chief minister announced Rs 30 million for the repair and reconstruction of the Church.
Addressing the Christian community in the premises of the Church, the Chief minister said that the elements burning the Church were involved in conspiracies of damaging religious harmony.
MNA Himayat Ullah Mayar, MPAs Asif Bhatti and Haji Ahmad Khan Bahadar, ANP District President Farooq Akram Khan, General Secretary Imran Manduri, district authorities, Ulemas and a large number of Christian brothers were also present on the occasion. The chief minister was apprised of the damage to the church on the occasion. He said that all these conspiracies will be thwarted with unity and concord. He said that Islam teaches the message of peace and tranquility and grants freedom to followers of other religious to practice their religion.
He said that followers of other religions have equal rights in Pakistan. He said that people responsible for the incident will be awarded exemplary punishment. The chief minister termed the incident 'extreme brutality' and said that it was highly condemnable. He said that Muslims have every right to peaceful protest on the eve of Ishq-i-Rasool Day.
He said that unfortunately some miscreants not only damage valuable property but also devastated the church of the Christian community. He assured the Christian community that repair and reconstruction of the Church would be carried out, and that he will soon lay its foundation stone. He said that the church would be given an extension. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure the reconstruction and repair of the church in consultation with elders of the Christian community.
He termed minorities an integral part of Pakistan and expressed sorrow over the incident. He said that they were required to maintain religious harmony and thwart the conspiracies of anti-state elements. He said that Islam doesn't permit its followers to damage other religions' sacred places.