NA passes unanimous resolution condemning attack on Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan

The National Assembly has passed a unanimous resolution condemning Wednesday's attack on a Hindu temple by a charged mob in Bhong village of Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district.

The incident saw hundreds of people vandalise the temple and block the Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) after a nine-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court.

"This House strongly condemns the ransacking of the temple," the resolution reads, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had also condemned the incident and issued instructions to bring the culprits to justice.

"The Constitution of Pakistan provides complete protection to the rights of minorities and this House also affirms that rights of minorities and their places of worship will be fully protected. The whole nation and government are united on this point.

"Islam completely protects the rights of minorities. The House reassures the Hindu community and Pakistan Hindu Council of their safety," the resolution reads.

The parliamentary affairs minister, in his comments to the House, said: "Whoever has done this action in Bhong has nothing to do with Islam or humanity. Religious scholars have strictly condemned this."

He further said a range of officials from the prime minister to top officeholders of the provincial governments had censured the incident.

"As humans and as Muslims we are deeply saddened by this [...] we are all one on this issue [...] because we ourselves have suffered [religious discrimination] and we cry about Babri Mosque and injustice in occupied Kashmir," said Khan.

"I want to state on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government, the opposition and our senior leadership that at this time the whole country, government and this House express sympathy and grief with the minority community, particularly the Hindu community, and reassure them of every kind of protection," he said.

The minister further said the government had always condemned such incidents and that the entire state apparatus and civil society stood with minorities at such times, which he said was in contrast to India where "[Narendra] Modi's Hindutva RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) government stands with the perpetrators".

Meanwhile, Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said the Ministry of Human Rights was in contact with Rahim Yar Khan police and a first information report was already registered and suspects were being arrested.

"The prime minister has given his commitment that the government will restore the temple at its expense," she said as she asked for the issue to not be politicised.

PPP MNA Syed Naveed Qamar said that any incidents related to places of worship needed to be collectively condemned and solutions devised to prevent their reoccurrence.

He also criticised the local administration for taking the matter lightly instead of trying to preemptively solve it.

'Fascist ideology can't rule here'
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, addressing a media briefing on the matter today in Islamabad, said: "The people who hurt the religious sentiments of our Hindu brothers should be meted exemplary punishment and we should stand against every person who targets our Pakistani brothers on the basis of colour, race and religion."

Chaudhry said he was "very clear" that respecting the two colours in Pakistan's flag was "obligatory on us".

"The white colour is as respectable for us as the green colour in the flag and it represents the rights of minorities who live in Pakistan," he said, adding: "Pakistan is not India, No fascist ideology can rule here."

The prime minister, the political and military leadership and the courts accepted the Constitution, which promises the protection of minority rights for the sake of a progressive country, the information minister said.

"I am very happy that the prime minister took personal notice of the issue and now the chief justice of Pakistan has also taken notice," he said.

Chaudhry said that Pakistan's future was of a progressive country where minorities would be "completely safe".

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PAF fighter trainer aircraft crashes near Attock

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter trainer aircraft has crashed during a routine training mission near Attock, a spokesperson of the PAF said on Friday.

“Both pilots have ejected successfully. No loss of life or property has been reported so far on ground,” the official said.

The official said that a Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.

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Awn Chaudhry tenders resignation as special coordinator to CM Punjab

Special Coordinator to Chief Minister Punjab on Political Affairs Awn Chaudhry has tendered his resignation after he was asked to disassociate himself from the Jahangir Tareen group or step down from the post.

According to sources Chaudhry was told to stop lobbying for the PTI faction, which he refused, instead turning in a prepared resignation letter which he had brought with him.

Chaudhry shared the letter with the media during prayer break and said he knew why he was called to meet CM Buzdar.

In the letter, the PTI leader expressed anger over the treatment meted out him by the party whom he said he had served selflessly.

“I served PTI, wholeheartedly, completely ignoring my personal life and family for a cause. Sadly I was 'rewarded' by being removed right before the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister which I accepted with grace,” he stated.

“I was then made Advisor to the CM without any portfolio in Punjab and again I was removed unceremoniously and I even accepted that.”

In a strong show of support for the former PTI secretary general, Awn Chaudhry said he was asked to distance himself from Jahangir Tareen but he prefers to submit his resignation instead.

“Everyone knows that Jahangir Khan Tareen is the person who played a pivotal role in the struggle of PTI and keeping in view his efforts for the success of PTI in 2018 Elections and formation of PTI Govt in the Centre and Punjab, my conscience does not allow me to abandon my association with the most loyal member of PTI who served selflessly as I have.”

He added: “I prefer to submit my resignation from the post of Special Coordinator to the CM, to stand by Mr Tareen and his Group. I have always put my trust in Allah and He has always guided me and will continue to guide me in future Insha Allah.”

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NA passes unanimous resolution condemning attack on Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan

The National Assembly has passed a unanimous resolution condemning Wednesday's attack on a Hindu temple by a charged mob in Bhong village of Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district.

The incident saw hundreds of people vandalise the temple and block the Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) after a nine-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court.

"This House strongly condemns the ransacking of the temple," the resolution reads, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had also condemned the incident and issued instructions to bring the culprits to justice.

"The Constitution of Pakistan provides complete protection to the rights of minorities and this House also affirms that rights of minorities and their places of worship will be fully protected. The whole nation and government are united on this point.

"Islam completely protects the rights of minorities. The House reassures the Hindu community and Pakistan Hindu Council of their safety," the resolution reads.

The parliamentary affairs minister, in his comments to the House, said: "Whoever has done this action in Bhong has nothing to do with Islam or humanity. Religious scholars have strictly condemned this."

He further said a range of officials from the prime minister to top officeholders of the provincial governments had censured the incident.

"As humans and as Muslims we are deeply saddened by this [...] we are all one on this issue [...] because we ourselves have suffered [religious discrimination] and we cry about Babri Mosque and injustice in occupied Kashmir," said Khan.

"I want to state on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government, the opposition and our senior leadership that at this time the whole country, government and this House express sympathy and grief with the minority community, particularly the Hindu community, and reassure them of every kind of protection," he said.

The minister further said the government had always condemned such incidents and that the entire state apparatus and civil society stood with minorities at such times, which he said was in contrast to India where "[Narendra] Modi's Hindutva RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) government stands with the perpetrators".

Meanwhile, Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said the Ministry of Human Rights was in contact with Rahim Yar Khan police and a first information report was already registered and suspects were being arrested.

"The prime minister has given his commitment that the government will restore the temple at its expense," she said as she asked for the issue to not be politicised.

PPP MNA Syed Naveed Qamar said that any incidents related to places of worship needed to be collectively condemned and solutions devised to prevent their reoccurrence.

He also criticised the local administration for taking the matter lightly instead of trying to preemptively solve it.

'Fascist ideology can't rule here'
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, addressing a media briefing on the matter today in Islamabad, said: "The people who hurt the religious sentiments of our Hindu brothers should be meted exemplary punishment and we should stand against every person who targets our Pakistani brothers on the basis of colour, race and religion."

Chaudhry said he was "very clear" that respecting the two colours in Pakistan's flag was "obligatory on us".

"The white colour is as respectable for us as the green colour in the flag and it represents the rights of minorities who live in Pakistan," he said, adding: "Pakistan is not India, No fascist ideology can rule here."

The prime minister, the political and military leadership and the courts accepted the Constitution, which promises the protection of minority rights for the sake of a progressive country, the information minister said.

"I am very happy that the prime minister took personal notice of the issue and now the chief justice of Pakistan has also taken notice," he said.

Chaudhry said that Pakistan's future was of a progressive country where minorities would be "completely safe".

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PAF fighter trainer aircraft crashes near Attock

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter trainer aircraft has crashed during a routine training mission near Attock, a spokesperson of the PAF said on Friday.

“Both pilots have ejected successfully. No loss of life or property has been reported so far on ground,” the official said.

The official said that a Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.

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Awn Chaudhry tenders resignation as special coordinator to CM Punjab

Special Coordinator to Chief Minister Punjab on Political Affairs Awn Chaudhry has tendered his resignation after he was asked to disassociate himself from the Jahangir Tareen group or step down from the post.

According to sources Chaudhry was told to stop lobbying for the PTI faction, which he refused, instead turning in a prepared resignation letter which he had brought with him.

Chaudhry shared the letter with the media during prayer break and said he knew why he was called to meet CM Buzdar.

In the letter, the PTI leader expressed anger over the treatment meted out him by the party whom he said he had served selflessly.

“I served PTI, wholeheartedly, completely ignoring my personal life and family for a cause. Sadly I was 'rewarded' by being removed right before the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister which I accepted with grace,” he stated.

“I was then made Advisor to the CM without any portfolio in Punjab and again I was removed unceremoniously and I even accepted that.”

In a strong show of support for the former PTI secretary general, Awn Chaudhry said he was asked to distance himself from Jahangir Tareen but he prefers to submit his resignation instead.

“Everyone knows that Jahangir Khan Tareen is the person who played a pivotal role in the struggle of PTI and keeping in view his efforts for the success of PTI in 2018 Elections and formation of PTI Govt in the Centre and Punjab, my conscience does not allow me to abandon my association with the most loyal member of PTI who served selflessly as I have.”

He added: “I prefer to submit my resignation from the post of Special Coordinator to the CM, to stand by Mr Tareen and his Group. I have always put my trust in Allah and He has always guided me and will continue to guide me in future Insha Allah.”

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Hindu temple attack: CJP Gulzar orders police to arrest all culprits

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed Friday reprimanded the Punjab police chief for failing to take action to safeguard the Hindu temple from a mob in Rahim Yar Khan, directing him to arrest all culprits involved in the incident.

Chief Justice Gulzar had taken suo moto notice of the attack on the temple in village Bhong, after meeting with Ramesh Kumar, MNA and Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Hindu Council.

Over a dozen men, armed with sticks, had vandaliseda Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan, shouting slogans and desecrating idols in the place of worship. The video clip of the incident went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from rights activists in Pakistan.

Justice Gulzar had shown concern over the tragic incident and summoned the chief secretary Punjab and IGP Punjab to appear at the apex court and submit a report on the incident.

During the hearing today, the CJP expressed displeasure over the incident and reprimanded the officials, saying the attack has done serious damage to Pakistan's reputation around the globe.

He said the police acted as a silent spectator while the mob vandalised the temple. “What were the police and administration doing?” the CJP asked.

To this, IGP Inam Ghani said the assistant commissioner and ASP were present at the scene, and that the administration’s priority was to provide security to the 70 Hindu families near the temple.

“Terrorism clauses have been added in the FIR,” he said.

“If the deputy commissioner and the DPO cannot perform their duties, they should be fired,” CJP Gulzar stressed.

IG Inam Ghani informed the court that no arrests have been made so far in connection with the case, when Justice Qazi Amin asked as to what action had the police taken.

Additional Attorney General Sohail Mehmood said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of the matter.

At this, CJP Gulzar said the court would focus on the legal perspective of the case.

“Three days have passed, but no one has been arrested,” said the chief justice, disappointed.

Justice Amin said police has failed to perform its duty.

“Had there been professional officers in the force, the issue would have been solved by now,” the top judge observed, adding that one should ponder over how the incident has impacted Pakistani Hindus.

“Think, how would Muslims have reacted if a mosque was attacked,” he remarked.

He also inquired about an 8-year-old Hindu boy who was arrested by the police. The Punjab police chief informed the bench that the boy was presented before a magistrate first.

“What do you expect from an 8-year-old? What does an 8-year-old know about religion? Do the police have any idea about the mind of a young kid?”

At this, Justice Gulzar ordered to remove the SHO who arrested him.

Issuing directives to take action against the culprits, the Supreme Court ordered the officials to submit a report on the next hearing, which has been scheduled on August 13.

The SC also ordered to establish Peace Committees to ensure religious harmony among followers of different faiths.

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