Islamabad: Pakistan’s parliament has condemned the attack by a mob on a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore, with lawmakers describing the incident as a “national disaster” and calling for a probe by a judicial commission.
The National Assembly or lower house of parliament unanimously adopted a resolution that demanded the government should form a judicial commission to probe and fix responsibility for the attack.
The resolution was moved on Monday by Minister for Interfaith Harmony Akram Masih Gill, a Christian. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches in the Senate, or upper house, demanded a through inquiry and punishment for those responsible for Saturday’s attack on Joseph Colony in Lahore.
Though no one was injured, a mob of over 3,000 Muslims rampaged through the neighbourhood, ransacking and torching some 160 homes and two small churches.
The trouble began after Savan Masih, a 26-year-old Christian sanitation worker, was accused of blasphemy by a Muslim man.
Residents of Joseph Colony and police officials said Masih and the Muslim man had a drunken argument, following which the latter accused him of insulting Prophet Mohammed.
The National Assembly expressed sorrow over the torching of the home of Christians following the allegation of blasphemy. Describing the incident as a “national disaster”, the House condemned all acts of blasphemy against any religion around the world.
The members of the lower house demanded the speedy payment of compensation to the victims.
The National Assembly further demanded that the government should enact legislation, if necessary, to take action against people responsible for the violence.
The lower house suspended the Question Hour and most other agenda items to discuss the law and order situation and the attack on the Christian neighbourhood. (PTI)
