LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi has directed that the ban on wall-chalking should be implemented strictly and posters and banners creating hatred and provocation removed immediately throughout the province.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting regarding security and law and order at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Saturday.
He said improving law and order situation in the province was a priority and every possible step would be taken for peaceful holding of elections. He said the caretaker government would utilise all energies for making general elections free, fair and transparent.
Sethi, meanwhile, called on Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and discussed with him various matters. He also visited various wings of the Lahore High Court, along with the chief justice.
Earlier, the caretaker CM, while presiding over a meeting on the relief work at Joseph Colony, said burning of Christians’ houses in Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh area, was an extremely regrettable incident, as no religion allows such an inhuman act.
He said there was an urgent need to adopt an effective strategy to stop recurrence of such incidents in future. He said all segments would have to play an active role in promotion of tolerance, forbearance and peace in society. He warned that no such incident would be tolerated in Punjab in future.
The meeting was attended by Punjab chief secretary, advocate general, secretaries of home, law, communication and works, IG Punjab, Additional IGs, Lahore commissioner, CCPO Lahore, DG LDA and other authorities concerned.
Sethi told the meeting the image of Pakistan at the international level had been damaged due to the tragic incident. He said promotion of inter-religious harmony was need of the hour for which every individual in society would have to play his role. He said the Constitution of Pakistan provides complete protections of rights to the minorities and they could enjoy equal rights under the law in Pakistan.
Sethi said all citizens are equal in the eyes of law, while protection of their life and property is the responsibility of the state. He said the Christian community had played an effective role from establishment to building of Pakistan, and Christian educational institutions are playing an effective role in promotion of education in the country.
A briefing was given to the caretaker CM about the progress made in the case of Badami Bagh incident. The Communication & Works secretary informed the meeting that financial compensation of Rs500,000 for each family has been distributed among 268 families, and all affected families rehabilitated after reconstruction of their house. He said a house which was completely destroyed was being reconstructed expeditiously.
The meeting was informed that a permanent police post had also been set up at Joseph Colony besides ensuring regular police patrolling.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21952-Sethi-orders-removal-of-provocative-posters-banners
I hope the hateful posters against Ahmadies are also included in the list!
I also hope he remembers the Ahmadi muslims murdered in Lahore while bowing in front of Allah!!
Will they be compensated for the unforgivable loss of life & property?
I am sorry the whole nation including the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Mr sethi will not have the courage to say anything whatsoever, which will directly or indirectly favour Ahmadis. Why, because they fear people, international media, United Nations, US, EU, NATo, Human Rights Associations BUT they don’t fear Almighty God.
The honourable Chief Justice has issued many statements and asked Government officials to take immediate actions when Christian houses were burnt and some of died, this was a hedious action by the Muslims of Pakistan, we all condemn this action.
BUT where was our honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan when 86 Ahmadis were killed in two mosques simultaneously on May 2010. I hate to write this but the caretaker chief minister who is a respected journalist of Pakistan and the honourable Chief Justice was blinded by one eye, when he can see Christians only and not Ahmadis. The fact is not forgotten that the two attackers were caught with their jackets still not detonated, but they were later released by the Government as they were P go….sponsored….
We rest our case with almighty God, who will one day see this great injustice by the great Chief Justice and caretaker chief Minister.