LAHORE, Dec 03 (APP):Special Representative of Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said on Friday that he, on behalf of all schools of thought and Mutahida Ulema Council, strongly condemned the barbaric incident of Sialkot in which a Sri Lankan was tortured to death by factory workers.
The perpetrators of this heinous crime did not make any service in the name of Islam but defamed Islam as well as damaged the laws pertaining to blasphemy and desecration of religions and they also brought bad name for Pakistan, he added.
He expressed these views in media conference here at Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) Punjab, while Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab for Information and Spokesperson Government of the Punjab Hasaan Khawar and Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan were also present.
Ashrafi said that Islam always advocates peace, love, fraternity, tolerance and brotherhood, and Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him-PBUH) is Rehamat-ul-Lil-Aalameen (benefactor of the entire mankind).
Mutahidda Ulama Council, Darul Iftah Pakistan, Interfaith Harmony Council, Ulema and Mashaikh from all schools of thought have strongly condemned this tragic incident.
He further said that the main objective of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiatives like establishment of Rehmat-ul-Lil-aalemeen Authority was to spread the true spirit of Islam and its teachings in the society.
He mentioned that Ulema have made very hectic efforts to maintain religious harmony which is evident from the fact that during the last one year, no FIR under blasphemy and desecration of religions laws was registered in Punjab. While, Mutahidda Ulema Council reviewed and resolved 113 such cases in an amicable manner.
“I don’t have words to express our grief over this barbarism and we pay our heartfelt condolence to the people of Sri Lanka and particularly the family of the deceased,” he added.
He said that leaders of all schools of thought and religions will visit Sri Lankan Embassy to pay condolence this week.
Ashrafi said that in case of such an incident, one must contact the court or relevant authorities for justice instead of taking the law into one’s own hand, citing that laws are there for blasphemous incidents.
On this occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab (SACM) for Information and Spokesperson Government of the Punjab Hasaan Khawar said that according to local police report, a very unfortunate incident took place in the limit of Hoogu Police Station,
Sialkot district, at around 11:30 a.m. in which a Sri Lankan namely Paryantha Kumara, who was General Manager at Rajco Factory near Nol Mor on Wazirabad Road, was tortured to death by factory workers.
Soon after receiving the information on police helpline 15, the area police rushed to the spot within 20 minutes and cleared road of mob.
On the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the police are thoroughly investigating the killing of Sir Lankan.
The CM also ordered a high level inquiry into the incident. So far 50 persons have been arrested and CCTV footages are also being used to arrest more people involved in the incident, while the process of identifying more culprits is underway with the help of NADRA (National Database Registration Authority), he said.
Hasaan mentioned that the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Gujranwala Division Imran Ahmar and the Commissioner are also present on the spot to probe the incident.
The IGP also directed the officers concerned to present a report in this regard within 48 hours, while the Chief Minister is also in coordination with the police and District Administration of Sialkot,
he said and added that every aspect of this tragic and reprehensible incident is being investigated and immediate action will be taken against all the elements involved in this heinous incident.
“In this case, justice will not only be done but it will also be seen to be done,” he said.
He said that Islam is the torchbearer of peace, tolerance, and brotherhood. No society in the world including Pakistan would allow such an inhuman act.
