RAWALPINDI: The Central Home Minister, Vice-Admiral A.R. Khan, today [March 16], condemned the assault on Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani at Sahiwal yesterday and grimly warned that “adequate and punitive measures will be taken against the use of violence in any shape or form”.

In a statement to the Press, the Home Minister said: “I am deeply perturbed by the assault on Maulana Bhashani. I cannot find words strong enough to condemn it as it deserves to be condemned. Incidents of physical violence against political rivals have occurred on a large scale during the demonstrations that were directed against the Government. Being itself the target, convincing condemnation of it could not come from the Government.

“Everyone is free to hold and express whatever opinion he may have and to make peaceful demonstrations of it within the limit of the law. But no one is free to disturb public tranquillity or use ... violence against the person or property of another. “To the Maulana Sahib, I offer my deepest sympathy and regards.” Meanwhile, the West Pakistan Government has viewed with great concern the reported attack on Maulana Bhashani and described it as against the democratic and hospitable traditions of West Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2019