F.P Report
PESHAWAR: Raising serious questions over security of churches in entire country, the President of All Church Of Pakistan and Peshawar Diocese FATA & KP, Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peter asked relevant authorities to initiate probe into the Quetta Church attack on 17th December and ensure security of churches across the Pakistan.
Terming the inhuman assault on Christian community in Quetta as security lapse, which caused suspension of all social ceremonies in connection with Christmas occasion in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz while speaking at a news conference on Tuesday at Peshawar press club. As the Christian community in entire country has deeply been distressed over the recent incident.
“The attack on Quetta church could have been averted if security officials deployed around the church jurisdiction could timely respond to terrorists” he argued. He stressed the relevant authorities to interrogate the incident and identify the terrorists who came with evil designs to target the Christian community.
Mr Sarfaraz demanded full compensation admissible to any police personnel for the martyred two security guards of Quetta Church attack and said that those seriously injured in the incident instantly be taken to private hospitals for treatment.
He said that if the Supreme Court rulings delivered on 2014 on the eve of Alison church attack were fully observed by the government on forming a separate task force for protection of minorities places of worship and institution, the incident like Quetta Church attack would not have happened.
Bishop Doctor Ernest Jacob Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Cof hurch Pakistan, Dr. A. R. Hashmat Chairman Assemblies of God KP, FATA, Father Antham Ilyas, In-charge ST Johns Vienny Catholic Church Peshawar city and Patrick Naeem Diocese Church of Pakistan were also in attendance on the occasion.
He said that there are 82 churches in KP province and the security arrangements of these churches are less than satisfactory while the Christian community is unable to arrange costly security systems like installations of security cameras, hiring of security guards, and other security measures. He raises questions over improper security measures taken to safeguard the churches in KP and entire Pakistan.
