Assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, a Press statement by the Church leaders in Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan: March 02, 2011, (PCTV Newsdesk)

We the Church leaders in Pakistan express our deep grief on the assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities. We believe that the country has lost in him a patriotic statesman and a campaigner for interfaith harmony. Mr.Bhatti’s assassination underlines the issue of protection of religious minorities, life and liberty. The government needs to go beyond the rhetoric of ‘minorities enjoying all the rights in the country’ and take practical step to curb extremism in Pakistan. 

We would also like to appeal to the Federal and Provincial governments to wake up to the challenge of protection of the citizens of Pakistan. If the country becomes a killing field of the democrat and liberal individuals who exercise their freedom of conscience and expression, it would embolden the criminals trying to take charge of the country. The religion has been massively abused to cause harassment and suffering of the people. The reign of terror and bloodshed should be dealt with by administrative and reformative actions on urgent basis. 

While the exchange of condolence is due from and to every citizen, we express our solidarity with Mr. Bhatti’s family and the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance his political party on this profound loss. 

In view of the criminal killing of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, three days mourning will be observed from 3^rd March 2011 and all Christian institutions in the country will remain closed.

 

Signed by

Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha
Chairperson Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference

Rev. Shahid Meraj
Vicar of Diocese of Lahore, Representative Church of Pakistan