30 September 2004	Thursday	14 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Kunwar Khalid Yunus has expressed concern over the recent attacks on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Sheikhupura and demanded the federal and Punjab governments take action against a "religious group" which he alleged was involved in the incident.

Talking to Dawn here on Wednesday, Mr Yunus hinted at the involvement of Jamaat-i-Islami in the attacks and regretted that so far no one had been arrested in this connection.

He alleged that workers and activists of the religious party's students wing and its local Nazims were involved in the attacks. "The government should tell the nation which religious group is backing such extremists in attacking the worship places of minorities," he said.

Mr Yunus said such incidents tarnished our image in the world because Pakistan was being seen as a country where people did not tolerate religious minorities. The MQM leader said he had recently visited India where he noticed that the Indian Punjab government was earning huge foreign exchange by allowing tourists to visit Gurdwaras.

He said efforts were needed to create religious tolerance in the country. He also stressed the need for taking stern action against those religious parties and groups who spread hatred against minorities.