KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami secretary general Liaquat Balouch has said that attacks on minorities’ places of worship are being carried out by those elements who want to destabilise Pakistan.

He was speaking at a reception organised by Jamaat-i-Islami as part of Independence Day celebrations to acknowledge the services of the members of minority communities in the establishment and progress of Pakistan.

The JI leader criticised those who imposed their views on others.

The reception was attended by followers of Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and other religions.

Describing the gathering as a representative Jirga of patriotic Pakistanis, Mr Balouch spoke about the first cabinet of Pakistan headed by the Quaid-i-Azam, recalling that Jogendra Nath Mandal and Sir Zafarullah were members of that cabinet.

The JI leader said, “We will jointly struggle against all those who are usurping the rights of minorities”.

Church of Pakistan representative Father Fradrak, Saleem Michael of Catholic Mission, Council of Sikh Association’s Sardar Ramesh Singh, ex-MPA Shankar Lal, Dr Jagpal of Pakistan Hindu Forum and others also expressed their views on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2015

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