Christian religious leaders have expressed dissatisfaction over the security arrangements at the churches and demanded the implementation of Supreme Court order to constitute the special task force to ensure security to religious places of non-Muslims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and elsewhere in the country.
Speaking at a news conference at press club here on Tuesday, President Bishop Church of Pakistan and Peshawar Diocese Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters said that there was not enough security at Cthe churches and other religious places of non-Muslims in the province. He blamed the police personnel deputed at the churches for not performing their duties efficiently due to which the terrorists are easily managed to carryout terrorist activities.
Sarfaraz Peters said that the terrorists attack on a church in Quetta was foiled, if the decision of the apex court implemented letter and spirit. He said the federal government, Interior and Home ministries, as well as the relevant authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including IGP, Home department through several written communiqués reminded about the implementation of the SC order about the special task force, but they didn't heed attention towards their concerns in this regard.
Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Church Pakistan, Dr Earnest Jacob, Chairman Assemblies God of Church KP and Fata, Pastor Dr AR Hashmat, Revered Father of Antham and Incharge St John Vienny Catholic Church Peshawar City, Iliyas, Dean Peshawar Diocese, Church of Pakistan Pastor Patrick Naeem, Incharge United Church University Town, Diocese of Peshawar, Emmanuel Sohail and members of Christian community in a large number, were present during the press conference.
Safaraz Peters urged the government to not ignore the churches and take sufficient steps for security of religious places of the non-Muslims across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country. He demanded the specialized and trained personnel of security forces should be deployed at the churches.
He also praised the Pakistan Army and police for ensuring foolproof security during the special prayers ceremony on eve of Christmas celebrations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. Sarfaraz Peters said the apex court verdict regarding the formation of special task force should be implemented with letter and spirit to avert any untoward incident at the religious places of non-Muslim in the future.