wfn.org | PAKISTAN: PM DEPLORES ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

April 11, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, U.K

[97.4.2.7]

PAKISTAN: PM DEPLORES ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS

(ACNS/Diocese of Rochester) The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif, has deplored the violence against the Christian community
following recent outbreaks of violence in the Christian villages of
Shantinagar and Khanewal in Punjab Province. (see ACNS 97.2.2.6. &
97.2.4.3.)  He said that his Government would ensure the full protection
and equal rights of minorities in Pakistan. He pledged that victims of
the incident would be compensated and places of worship would be rebuilt
at Government expense.

The President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have now responded
personally to a letter sent to them by the Bishop of Rochester, England,
the Rt Revd Dr Michael Nazir-Ali who holds dual British and Pakistani
citizenship. Dr Nazir-Ali had expressed his relief to both leaders  that
steps had been taken to restore law and order. He had also expressed his
concern at the tendency in legislation to drive a wedge between Muslim
and non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan. He also called for the monitoring
of all educational establishments in the country to ensure that students
are taught the values of tolerance, neighbourliness and national
integration.

In response the President of Pakistan, H E Forooq Ahmad Khan Leghari,
announced that he has set up an Enquiry Commission under Justice Tanveer
Ahmed Khan.  He also gave assurances that the rights of non-Muslim
communities in Pakistan, as enshrined in the Constitution, would be
respected.  He condemned the violence in the strongest terms possible
and added that he was providing immediate compensation and relief to the
families affected.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan called the violence unpardonable and
denounced it unequivocally.  He promised to root out religious
fanaticism from the nation and emphasised the disdain in which the
majority of Muslims in Pakistan hold the activities of religious
extremists.  The Chief Minister of Punjab Province has visited the area
to offer assurances to the Christian population, and the Prime Minister
himself has also paid a personal visit to Shantinagar to see the
rehabilitation in progress.