Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf while expressing grief over the unfortunate incident in Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh Lahore, on Monday assured the Christian community that those responsible will be brought to book. The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of Christians hailing from Joseph Colony, who met him along with Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board, Syed Asif Hashmi here at PM House.
Advisor/Minister In-Charge, Ministry of National Harmony, Dr Paul Bhatti and Minister of State for National Harmony, Akram Masih Gill were also present. The Prime Minister said that the entire nation was shocked and saddened on this incident in which their non-Muslim brothers were subjected to violence.
He assured the delegation that those found negligent in protecting the life and property of the community will be dealt severally. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the members of Christian community who had shown restraint and tolerance and played their role sensibly to keep the situation under control. He said that while the federal government will take every possible measure to mitigate the situation, it is the responsibility of provincial governments to maintain law and order and provide security to the people.
The Prime Minister said that he is directing the provincial governments to ensure all possible security to Christian community and release innocent members of the community, who were arrested after the tragic incident. The Prime Minister announced a grant of Rs one million for a woman who was killed in riots after the incident.