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BAHAWALPUR, Oct 29: Memorial service for the victims of the church massacre was held at the Saint Dominic Church amid tight security on Monday.
The service was attended, among others, by leaders and representatives of various political and religious parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and the Jamaat-i-Islami. Federal Minister for Minorities S.K. Tressler and Minister for Religious Affairs Prof Dr Mahmood Ahmad Ghazi were also present on the occasion.
Some violent and furious youth of the Christian community raised slogans against the government, but their elders stopped them, saying they would not indulge in any violence.
Karachi bishop Father Rehmat Raja read out the message of Pope Paul John-II. The Pope, in his condolence message, had condemned the terrorism against the Christian community.
A heavy contingent of police was deployed outside the church. At about 1pm, the wooden coffins carrying the bodies of the victims of Sunday’s carnage were brought to the church for final prayers. After the prayers, 12 of the bodies were buried in the Islami Colony graveyard on Yazman Road amid tight security. The bodies of Father Emanuel, Ambar and Nelson Javed were sent to Faisalabad and Chichawatni, respectively, for burial.
In Bahawalpur, the entire civic life remained suspended to express sympathy with the Christians as the administration had declared a local holiday on Monday. All the government offices remained closed. The Anjuman-i-Tajran had also announced a shutter down to join the mourning. City roads presented a deserted look as most of the vehicles remained off the road.
GOVERNOR: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has directed the local administration to arrest the assailants of Sunday’s terrorist act within a week.
Talking to relatives of the victims, Christian leaders and elite of the city at the St. Dominican Church soon after his arrival here on Monday, the governor directed that security must be beefed up at all worship places. He also ordered the administration to compensate the affected families.
The governor said Pakistan was playing a key role in international drive against terrorism which had annoyed the enemies who wanted to harm the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan by creating disturbances. He said all steps would be taken to foil all such evil designs of the enemy.
He also visited the Bahawal Victoria Hospital to inquire after the injured.
RANJHA: Provincial law minister Dr Khalid Ranjha has said religious elements are not involved in the killing of Christians.
Talking to Dawn here on Monday, the minister said the killings might have been committed by the stooges of India who were unhappy over Pakistan’s role in international drive against terrorism.
Ranjha said that for the first time any church in the country had been targetted by terrorists.
He said the government would provide full protection to Christians and their places of worship.
TRESSLER: Federal Minister for Minorities, Culture and Tourism S.K. Tressler has said this terrorist act was “tragic and deplorable”.
Talking to Dawn at the local circuit house, the minister said this incident took place owing to carelessness and negligence of police as there was only one constable on duty outside the church at the time of prayers.
Tressler regretted that it was the first incident of firing on any church in the country. He said he would recommend the government to issue arms licences to Christians.
The minister stressed the need for national cohesion and positive role of the media to promote brotherhood.
