A number of civil society organisations across Pakistan have expressed outrage at yet another inhuman act of killing and carnage aimed at the rapidly dwindling Christian community of Pakistan. In a statement they said, “We most strongly condemn the two suicide bombing attacks against a Sunday morning prayer congregation at the All Saints’ Church in Kohati Gate, Peshawar. We stand steadfastly and in total solidarity with our bereaved sisters, brothers and families to mourn the almost 80 Shaheed Pakistani Christians, and we pray for the recovery of the over 150 critically injured in hospitals.”
“We are in immense shock and grief at the horrific sights, sounds and news emanating from the Church, the absolute inadequacy, chaos and disorder at the Peshawar hospitals, and, not least, the cemetery, where there are insufficient coffins to bury the dead, lack of illumination and grave-diggers, and utter helplessness,” the statement said.
The groups had held protests all over the country against the bomb blasts targeting innocent people in Peshawar. The groups condemned the provincial government’s clear security lapse at the church, in view of many previous targeted attacks by TTP/jihadis/sectarian extremists all over Pakistan and repeated assurances of provision of “foolproof security in future for minorities” by successive Federal/Provincial governments.
Demanding more security for the minorities, the statement said that mere announcements of 3 days’ official mourning and monetary compensation for the dead/injured are a huge insult to the bereaved families, and the grieving and suffering Pakistanis, who have lost dear ones — mostly civilian children, women and men, along with members of the police, paramilitary and armed forces, nearing 50,000 and counting.
The statement wondered how many more innocent Pakistanis will have to be killed for the government to learn a lesson. The Taliban kills a serving general and two others in Dir, yet Mullah Biradar is unconditionally released. “Enough is enough,” the groups added.
