The National Assembly on Monday expressed grave concern over the Badamibagh incident in Lahore, urging the government to constitute a judicial commission to probe into the incident and fix responsibilities. Through a resolution adopted unanimously, the house strongly condemned the riots, wherein the private properties of the poor Christian community were set on fire.
It says; "This House unanimously regrets and expresses its grave concern and sorrow over the tragic incident of Joseph Colony, Lahore resulting in burning down of more than 175 houses of the Christian community and declares it as a national disaster." The house, through the resolution, also unanimously condemned any act or word of blasphemy against any religious/holy personality, book or worship place of any religion or faith by any person of any faith anywhere in the world.
Besides this, it recommended to the government to immediately form a judicial commission to probe into the causes of the incident impartially and fix responsibility on those involved in the tragic incident. It also called upon the government to carry out necessary legislation if so desired to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future and proceed against and bring to justice those responsible and specifically named in the FIR registered on account of the incident on March 09, 2013 in Police Station, Badami Bagh, Lahore.
It further urged the government to disburse the grant/compensation immediately so announced to the affectees of the tragic incident and reconstruct the damaged houses as soon as possible. The resolution was moved by Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill, a minority member of the House, which was passed unanimously. Earlier, taking part in the debate on the tragic incident, Gill called upon the government and members of the parliament to create a separate province for the minorities if they are unable to provide protection to them.
"If we [minorities] cannot live with you [Muslims], then it is better to create a separate province for us [minorities] so as to prevent further bloodshed," Gill, who is associated with PML-Q, came up with a surprising demand. He went on saying that the Constitution granted equal rights to the minorities, therefore, it was the prime responsibility of the government to protect their lives and properties. "If we [minorities] are equal citizens of the country, then next Friday must be observed as National Harmony Day during which the scholars belonging to all faiths promote and preach tolerance and brotherhood," he demanded.
He said the Parliament should also take steps for effective legislation in order to prevent misuse of the blasphemy laws. The house, earlier, suspended the agenda and started discussion on the prevailing law and order situation in the country with specific reference to the Badami Bagh incident. Initiating the debate, JUI-F's Asiya Nasir strongly condemned the incident and said that the Punjab government failed to protect the monitories, besides alleging the provincial government for exporting terrorism and extremism.
She said that the minorities were demanding protection because they were also responsible citizens of the country. "We say very proudly that Pakistan was created in the name of religion [Islam] but I fear... this country may disintegrate in the name of the religion," she added. MQM's Khawaja Sohail Mansoor said that the government should ascertain the reasons behind the violence in Punjab and other provinces. He said the government should utilise maximum resources to restore law and order in the country.
PML-N's Khawaja Saad Rafiq, while responding to the criticism on Punjab government, said that the provincial government while accepting the responsibility had taken stern action against those involved in the incident and 150 people had been arrested. He assured the house that all those involved in the incident would be tried under anti terrorism act so as to prevent such incidents in future. He said that Rs 0.5 million compensation had been paid to each of the affectees and the construction of the house had also been started. He said strict measures were also being taken to stop such incidents in future.
PPP's Ramesh Lal said that effective measures must be taken by the federal and provincial governments to safeguard the minorities living in different parts of the country. He also criticised Punjab government for its alleged failure in providing protection to minorities. PML-N's Abdul Qadir Baloch said that it was an incident of intolerance and terrorism, adding that they should not indulge in the blame game rather should join hands to plan national strategy to defeat the menace of terrorism and extremism. ANP's Bushra Gohar described it as an incident of extremism and terrorism and demanded that the culprits involved in this crime must be brought to justice.
Manawer Lal of the MQM said that the government had failed to provide protection to the minorities. He also questioned that as how many Hindus had been recruited in Pakistan Army, if members of the minority community were considered to be the equal citizens of the country. Others who also took part in the discussion include PPP's Shazia Marri, MQM's Wasim Akhtar, ANP's Himayatullah Khan, PML-N's Captain Safdar (Retd) and Malik Riaz.