Activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday staged a protest demonstration against Badami Bagh incident outside Karachi Press Club, demanding resignation of the Punjab government over its failure to protect the Christian community in the province.
MQM's Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar said that the Christian community was persistently being targeted in Punjab, adding that the Punjab government should quit over its failure to protect the life and property of minority groups.
The demonstration was organised by MQM's minority wing. Scores of people including MQM leaders also participated in the demonstration.
Farooq Sattar accused the Punjab government of destabilising other provinces by patronising terrorist elements in Punjab. He reminded that the Christian community had stood shoulder to shoulder with Mulsims during the Pakistan Movement, adding that such attacks tarnished Pakistan's image abroad.
He urged President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf and Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take notice of Badami Bagh incident and arrest all perpetrators involved in it.
Earlier, an MQM leader, Raza Haroon, urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo-motu notice of the Badami Bagh incident. He said that the arson incident occurred because of the criminal negligence of the Punjab government.
Assuring all out support to the Christian community, Haroon said MQM would help in the rehabilitation efforts. Bishop Sadiq Daniel and Father Saleh Diego also spoke on the occasion.