ISLAMABAD: A leader of Hindu community has called upon the government to devise a security plan for minorities’ places of worship.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council and a member of the National Assembly, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, also called for implementation of the June 19, 2014 decision of the Supreme Court about protection of rights of minority communities.

Condemning Sunday’s suicide attacks on two churches in Lahore, he said the aim of terrorists behind such bloody attacks was to tarnish the image of the country in international community.

Also read: Call to implement SC judgement on protection of non-Muslims’ rights

He termed the reaction of violent mob to burn two suspects to death as “unjustified murder” and called for stern action against the culprits.

The PML-N MNA said the Hindu community of the country supported brave armed forces in their fight against terrorism.

All religions preached respect for each other, he said and added that freedom of faith was a basic ingredient of a peaceful society.

“Complete religious liberty, including the freedom of belief, worship, association and education, should be guaranteed to all communities,” he said while referring to the famous 14 points presented by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah about the protection of the rights of the Indian Muslims living as a minority in the sub-continent.

The PML-N MNA called for ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol in the name of non-Muslims, saying all religions discouraged liquor drinking.

He expressed concern over the rejection of his proposed bill in the National Assembly envisaging permanent disqualification from becoming a member of parliament for a person found involved in corruption and bribery during general elections.

Published in Dawn March 18th , 2015

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