Pakistan has hit by another tragedy some days ago with the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minorities Minister and the only Christian member of the Federal Cabinet. Clearly, that was an attack that was meant to impact in its brutality and audacity. The President, Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Chief Justice, and heads of all political parties, Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Organizations and all devoted people, Christian Organizations, Minorities Alliances Protest & demanding for action regarding Shahbaz Bhatti murder, vigilantism, and incitements to violence in Pakistan. Protest against this act of terrorism is being organized by different Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Organizations, and Christian Organizations since that incident occured through out the country.
On Saturday 12th March 2011 in Lahore hundred of Catholic Fathers & Sisters from Convent of Jesus & Mary Pakistan, St. Columban Mission and others Churches along with the representatives of Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Organizations, Media Representative etc got together at the Press Club. Their purpose was to stand in solidarity with the country’s minorities and also offer prayer for the departure soul of late Shahbaz Bhatti. Rev Sr. Marie-Cecile Osborne RJM Provincial Superior Convent of Jesus & Mary Pakistan, Sr. Pillar, Sr. Catharine of CJM Lahore, Rev. Fr. Abid Habib, Rev. Fr. Liam of St. Columban Mission Pakistan and Mr. William Raza Coordinator Radio Programme Waqat Ki Awaz were prominent at the occasion.
A delegation of Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights comprised by the Chairman Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, Secretary General Mr. Shakeel Younis and Executive Member Mr. Muhammad Usman specially participated in the Peace Prayer and memorial service to express the solidarity by the Muslim members of Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights with the Catholic Fathers & Sisters on the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. To express the solidarity the delegation let the candles and also offered the peace prayer as per Muslim traditions and also participated in the prayer led by Rev. Sr. Marie Cecile. The delegation also attributed the efforts of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti for the protection of minorities’ rights, peace and interfaith harmony in Pakistan.
While talking to Media Representatives and participants of the Peace Prayer Chairman Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights said that Bhatti’s death is an immense tragedy, another nail in the coffin for those willing to be truly courageous in this country. He lauded the efforts of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti for the promotion of interfaith harmony and understanding in Pakistan and abroad. He also lauded the efforts of Mr. Bhatti for his struggle for the protection of democratic and fundamental human rights, establishment of tolerance, justice & peace in Pakistan. He expressed his great sorrow and concern on the assassination of Mr. Bhatti and said that it was a shameful act and such kind of acts will not weaken the moral of Pakistani Nation against the extremism and terrorism. He said that extremism and terrorism is not part of Islam and there is no room of blood shedding of innocent people in the name of Religion. Terrorists and extremist have no religion they are just terrorists.
Whole Pakistan Nation unites as Pakistani they are against the evil forces those are promoting the extremism and terrorism in Pakistan. He also said that surely final victory is fate of peace loving forces in Pakistan and the extremists and terrorists will be defeated shortly and darkness of intolerance will be crushed. He further said that scarify of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti will not in vain and Pakistan must become a peaceful and country with tolerance, justice and equality. Mr. Noori urged the government and its functionaries to swiftly apprehend charge, try and punish Mr. Bhatti’s murderers, and also to take immediate measures to curb this trend.
Rev. Sr. Marie Cecile, Rev. Sr. Pillar of CJM Pakistan, Rev. Fr. Liam, Rev. Fr. Abid and others appreciated the participation of PCSW&HR, s delegation to participate in the Peace Prayer Service and said that it is a good gesture by the Muslim friends to promote the interfaith harmony and National Unity in Pakistan.
