RAWALPINDI: Misaq centres for the welfare of religious minorities have been established at Bani, Naseerabad and Sadiqabad localities of Rawalpindi and the district administration has directed the building department to repair all roads along churches in these areas. Moreover, a WhatsApp group, consisting of administrative officers and 40 Christian representatives, has also been formed by the administration to increase coordination with the minority representatives so that if there is any news that could disrupt peace and communal harmony it should be investigated immediately and necessary action taken at once. Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatha along with Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali organised a special function for the representatives of Christian community at the commissioner office to spread the message of harmony and peace. Pastors of all the main and local churches of Rawalpindi district, including Adil Gill, Dawood Parvez, Babu Parvez, Sohail Ishaq, Imran Sindhu, Philip, Bishop Ilyas Masih, and Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nazart Ali, CPO Khalid Hamdani and other administrative officials were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner said Pakistan belonged to its people and every individual had equal rights of living in the country. The nefarious designs of the enemies of Islam and Pakistan are trying to destroy our peace, he said. He said it was time we stood together with unity to give the enemies a strong message that their efforts cannot divide us as Pakistanis. He said misunderstandings and propaganda on social media instigated untoward situations. He added that work on repairing roads in Christian communities had also been started. Mr Chattha said special Misaq centres were being established in Bani, Sadiqabad and Naseerabad where the area SHOs had been directed to be immediately available for help of minorities.
He said the administration was trying to provide all possible support to the minorities, but there was a dire need to keep a close eye on evil elements so that they could not get a chance to sabotage peace. The RPO said national unity was the need of the hour. Punjab police are vigilant in this sense and trying to ensure the safety of the citizens. He said that the purpose of today’s event was to establish an atmosphere of brotherhood. The pastors on the occasion condemned the incidents of setting fire to their places of worship in Jaranwala and damaging the atmosphere of peace and harmony. They said a message of peace was being spread from churches and mosques. Christian people are being given a sense of security by the administration which is appreciated. They said the conspiracy of evil elements to divide us on the basis of religion will never succeed. The pastors thanked the district administration for ensuring the security and other arrangements for the churches.
(Daily Dawn)
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