Minister mediates between Christian, Muslims

Sunday, July 05, 2009
By By Our Correspondent

FEDERAL Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti has successfully mediated between the Muslim and the Christian communities of Bahmniwala village in Kasur, easing down tension in the area. The minister visited the affected area on Saturday where he announced compensation of Rs 100,000 for the each affected Christian family while Kasur Tehsil Nazim Agha Naved Hashim declared to pay Rs 20,000 to the affected community. DCO Abdul Jabar Shaheen, the DPO Kasur, Ch Ahmed Ali, Pervez Rafique, Mrs Najma Saleem, Tahir Naved Chaudhry, Father Emanuel, Yousuf Mani along with members of the district council, including Noor Elahi, Shaukat Bhatti, Zulfiqar M Gill and Azra Shujaat were also present. The minister visited the burnt houses, which were set ablaze by some unknown people who also made away with valuables from the houses. Addressing the both communities, the federal minister said Islam and Christianity professed peace. He said Quaid-e-Azam had also praised efforts of the Christians in the struggle of Independence and both Christians and Muslims should live cordially in the country. He said the affected area had to be purged of the elements which were spreading hatred, adding that both the communities had to show invincible solidarity so that such elements could be discouraged in the future. He said that he had been sent by the prime minister to restore peace in the area. Kasur DCO Abdul Jabar Shaheen and other people also urged the locals to bury the hatchet for one and all.

(The News International)