LAHORE: Religious minorities on Monday condemned the Peshawar school massacre, stating that no religion, society or culture allows such a brutal act in the world.

In a memorial service organised by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, representatives of various minorities, including Sikhs, Hindus and Christians were unanimous that the terror act in Peshawar was never done in the past and it was the time to stand united, support the law-enforcement agencies and express solidarity with the heirs of martyrs.

“The incident has saddened the nation and the people of other countries. We have no words to explain our feelings. And now it is our duty to be united by supporting those fighting with terrorists,” Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Chairman Sardar Sham Singh said while speaking on the occasion.

Religious scholar Agha Mazhar Husain Mashadi said the incident had not only jolted Pakistan but also the entire world. “Just imagine feelings of the parents or heirs of innocent schoolchildren who were brutally killed by terrorists. It shows that the criminals were vicious having no religion, no humanity and morality, as their core objective was to make themselves happy with spreading blood of humans,” he deplored.

He supported the army operation and urged the government to facilitate military in winning the war against terrorists in Pakistan.

ETPB Chairman Saddiqul Farooq and members, including Manohar Chand and Pervaiz Jan Saroya, also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the participants observed a two-minute silence, paid tributes and prayed for the departed souls.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Participants in a conference organised by Pakistan Visionary Forum have finalised recommendations to cope with terrorism in Pakistan.

According to a press release, the recommendations have been prepared by as many as 16 experts including former ISI Col Mahmood Shah, ex-DG Intelligence Bureau Maj Shabbir Ahmed, retired Justice Sharif Husain Bokhari, Engr. Abdul Majeed Khan, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq, Zubair Sheikh, Engr. Mahmudur Rehman Chughtai, former minister of state Qayyum Nizami, former MD Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Foundation Engr. Mansoor Ahmed, former adviser IMF Khalid Saleem, former dean mass communication, Punjab University, Prof. Dr. Mugheesuddin, Prof. Dr. Atiya Syed, Engr. Muhammad Yaqoob, political analyst Salman Abid and Prof Mashkoor Siddiqui.

Recommendations include closure of unrecognised seminaries, severe punishment to terrorists through speedy trial courts, continuous audit of seminaries and NGOs, end of training points and logistics support to terrorists, setting up of metropolitan police, promoting cooperation and confidence amongst the security agencies, provision of funds for security surveillance equipment, de-weaponisation of society, good governance and employment generation through development of labour-intensive industries like textile.

The participants also appreciated the role of army chief to combat terrorism in the country.

ZAKAT: The provincial zakat council has accorded approval to transfer of funds worth Rs1.461 billion to various heads of district zakat committees and institutions as second six-month installment for 2014-15 for providing subsistence allowance, educational scholarships (general), treatment of deserving patients, marriage grant, scholarships and vocational education etc.

It was decided in the 155th meeting of the council presided over by Chairman Akhtar Hasan, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2014