Bilawal wants 'stringent action' against rapists of Hindu girl

Pakistan's ruling PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday directed the government of Sindh province to take "stringent action" against those responsible for the rape of a six-year-old Hindu girl.

Bilawal, who has begun assuming a larger role in the affairs of the Pakistan People's Party ahead of the formal launch of the party's campaign for next year's general election, instructed the Sindh government to "take stringent action against the real culprits so that they can be brought to book and punished for this inhuman crime".

He also directed the provincial government to "provide every kind of assistance, including the best medical facilities" to the girl and her family, said a statement issued by the PPP. 

Bilawal, who is expected to lead the PPP's election campaign, sent a bouquet to the girl from Umerkot district, who is currently being treated at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Karachi. 

He also sent a message to the girl and her family of "his renewed commitment to protect all the weak segments of society from atrocities and violence", the statement said. 

The girl was kidnapped from Ghulam Nabi Shah town in Umerkot district in the first week of December and raped. 

She was admitted to the hospital in Karachi about 10 days after she was molested. 

The girl's relatives brought her to Karachi after she was not provided proper care at hospitals in Umerkot, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad. 

The National Assembly or lower house of parliament last week asked its Standing Committee on Human Rights to probe reports of the rape. 

There have been several reports of harassment and kidnapping of members of the minority Hindu community in Sindh and Balochistan provinces this year. 

Reports have said that dozens of Hindu families had stayed on in India after travelling to the neighbouring country for pilgrimages. 

President's address at the Christmas celebrations

President Asif Ali Zardari today reiterated commitment of the democratic government towards the welfare of the non Muslim brethren living in Pakistan and said that we will continue to fight along with our Christian brothers and sisters for the rights of all non-Muslim and deprived citizens. Together we will continue our struggle for establishing a just, liberal and pluralistic society in Pakistan.

The President said while addressing a function in connection with Christmas celebrations at Mohatta Palace Karachi tonight.

Those who were present included among others , Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ms Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Governor Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Dr. Paul Bhatti, Minister for National Harmony, Mr. Akram Masih Gill, Minister of State for National Harmony federal and provincial Ministers, parliamentarians and Bishops.

The President on the occasion felicitated Christian brethren and wished the Christian community a Merry Christmas and very happy New Year.

According to prepared text of speech, the President called for disapproving the prophets of gloom and doom and those who talk of a clash of civilizations and urged the need for harmony between civilizations. Religious tolerance and Harmony is the best weapon to fight hatred and violence, he said and urged for employing these weapons in fighting bigotry and hatred.

The President while referring to the Jesus Christ message of love, peace, forgiveness and brotherhood said that Christmas was a time for festivity, celebration and rejoicing and reminds us all the message of Jesus Christ. We Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah, he said.

Commenting on recent times of strife, violence and militancy, the President said that Jesus Christ's universal message of love for mankind is most relevant today. He said that five years ago we lost Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to senseless violence , we lost Shahbaz Bhatti and only two days ago Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bashir Ahmed Bilor and countless martyred during the past years. He urged the need for imbibing the teachings of love and harmony preached by Jesus Christs. 

We uphold the right of the Christians, indeed of all non Muslim citizens, to be treated as equal citizens of the state, the President said and added that we firmly believe that everyone must partake in the development of the country on an equal footing.

The President admired the Christians living in Pakistan for their contributions in the development of the country and termed them a law-abiding and loyal community.

The President said that the best tribute to Prophet Jesus is to imbibe the values of peace, love, tolerance and brotherhood which he said are the values common not only in Christianity and Islam, but also in other religions.

Commenting on Government's steps for uplift of minorities, the President said that protection of the rights of all citizens- Muslims and non Muslims alike- is one of the main agendas of the Government and said that we are determined to empower them and end discrimination against them.

The President on the occasion also recounted various significant measures undertaken by the present Government for welfare of minorities in Pakistan including allocation of four reserved seats in Senate, five percent job quota for them in all Federal Government Jobs, commemorating 11th August every year as Minority day , establishment of a Hotline for the timely redressal of grievances of the non-Mulsim citizens and considering establishment of Interfaith Harmony Committees at district level. The Interfaith Harmony Committees, the President said are meant to create better understanding between the Muslim and Non Muslim citizens of the state. He said that efforts are also afoot to increase minority seats in the National Assembly. The President said that present Government decided to commemorate 11th August every year to remind the nation of the Quaid's historic speech in the Constituent Assembly in 1947 declaring equal rights for non Muslim citizens of state.

The President recalled that historic address, in which the Founding Father of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, 

"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State. We are starting in the days where there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State."

The President on the occasion extended his appreciation to all the dignitaries and members of diplomatic community for maintaining cordial and friendly relations between Pakistan and their countries and wished them all merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

President Zardari greets diwali to Pakistanis, calls for interfaith harmony

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday greeted the Hindu and scheduled castes community in the country on the occasion of Diwali and called for strengthening interfaith harmony and protecting rights of minorities.

“I wish to extend on my behalf, on behalf of the Pakistan Peoples Party and on behalf of the people of Pakistan heartiest greetings to the Hindu and scheduled castes community on the occasion of Diwali,” the President said in a message.

Diwali is known as the festival of lights and is commemorated by members of some of the world’s oldest religions to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. “It is a time for celebration,” the President wrote, “but it is also a time for reflection. Let us rededicate ourselves to continually striving in the path of good and noble,” he said. Zardari also stressed for remembering the less fortunate amongst us.

The President  said “at a time when floods have ravaged the country particularly in Sindh, the Hindu community have decided to observe the festival with simplicity in view of Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s death, the celebrations should serve to remind that we need to help those in need of help.”

Zardari believed that Diwali was a prime moment to promote interfaith harmony among the religiously diverse society of Pakistan “We partake in Diwali celebrations also for promoting interfaith harmony as a means to fight religious apartheid and those who seek to impose their ideological agenda on the people,” the President said.

He reiterated that the Hindus and the Scheduled Castes, indeed all minorities, of Pakistan are equal citizens of the state and entitled to equal rights.

“I also wish to reiterate our commitment to respect and uphold the UN Resolution calling for interfaith harmony and the pledges made by the government and the party to safeguard the rights of all minorities in accordance with the teachings of the founder of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the founder of the Party Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” he said.

President Zardari said, “Let it be made clear yet again today that no one will be allowed to victimize and hound members of minority communities in the name of religion and faith,”

Pakistani and Indian forces exchange sweets at the border

Indian and Pakistani border guards exchanged sweets at the Attari- Wagah border post to mark the Hindu Diwali festival, IANS news service reported on Wednesday.

Indian Border Security Force BSF officials presented sweets to their counterparts , the Sutlej Rangers at the zero line of border post, about 30km from here. Pakistanis returned the favour, presenting their Indian counterparts with sweets as well. “We shared sweets with our Pakistani counterparts on the occasion of Diwali. They also greeted us,” BSF Commandant Sushil Negi told reporters at border post.

The border post, the only official land route between India & Pakistan in Punjab sector, is otherwise popular for daily morning and evening flag hoisting and retreating ceremonies staged by BSF and Sutlej Rangers guards.