ISLAMABAD: Hundredes of Christians on Tuesday staged a protest rally in front of Parliament House to condemn Gojra incidents and demand repeal of blasphemy laws. The protesters were wearing black ribbons on their heads and arms to observed International Minorities Day as Black Day. They were carrying banners, placards and pamphlets reading ‘why injustice to Christians’, ‘don’t misuse 295 B, C for personal grudge’, ‘protect our lives and properties’, and ‘stop exploitation in the name of religion’. The rally started from Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, under the aegis of Pakistan Masihi League (PML). It condemned violence against Christians in Gojra on August 1 that left some eight Christians dead and 20 houses burnt. The participants, sitting inside and over roofs of buses, vans and cars raised slogans for getting human rights on the basis of equality. A number of vibrant youngsters on motorbikes were also seen raising slogans at D-Chowk, where the rally culminated. They demanded of the government to ensure protection of lives and properties of Christians. A heavy contingent of police was deployed on Islamabad Expressway, Faisal Avenue and Jinnah Avenue to tackle any untoward incident. Addressing the rally, Father Anwar Pitras, Father David, Father Jan Anwar, Salamat Akhtar, Sohail Pervaiz, and others condemned Gojra violence and urged people to pray for the victims. They feared that if extremists were not curbed, they would start committing Gojra-like violence against Christians across Pakistan. mahtab bashir
(Daily Times)
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