03 October 2004	Sunday	17 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Oct 2: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has assured the Sikhs that the upper house of the parliament is vigilant about their rights and shall strive to see that their rights were protected and honoured in the best possible manner.

Condemning the incident involving pelting of stones at a gurdawara in Nankana Sahib on behalf of the committee, its chairman Senator S.M.Zafar regretted that the issue between the students and the administration had been exploited by the miscreants for disturbing the peace in the area.

He said the committee believed that the minorities should have complete freedom and protection to practise their religion. It was heartening to note that the students had realised their mistake and tendered apologies to the Sikhs who had proved themselves to be a model community in the country.

The ulema and educational and administrative authorities had also played a commendable role in diffusing the tension in the area.