KARACHI: The Christian community has strongly condemned the brutal attack and killing of a pastor in Peshawar and has urged for unity.
Senior Presbyter Reverend Patrick Naeem along with his assistant Presbyter Reverend William Siraj were attacked by unknown bike riders in Peshawar as they were returning home after saying the Sunday prayer Service, in the jurisdiction of Gulbahar police station.
“The brutal attack on Presbyters has shaken the whole Christian community in Pakistan, said Archbishop Benny, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese Karachi.
Benny Mario Travas, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, strongly condemned the brutal killing of Rev. Willam Siraj, by unknown culprits. He stated that all Christians are united with the Church of Pakistan and with the family members of Rev. William Siraj and Patrick Naeem in the targeted killing.
Reverend Asher Liaqat, Director, National Commission for Justice and Peace stated that all those involved in the incident should be arrested as soon as possible and be punished so that justice may prevail.
He said this incident has brought unrest situation among Christians and has disturbed the peace and religious harmony all over Pakistan. He extended heartfelt condolence to the members of the Church of Pakistan and to the bereaved family members.
Archbishop Benny has also called the whole community to be united in prayers for the diseased and for the wounded Presbyters. He asked the government to take immediate and serious action against this incident, arrest the murderers and work for the peace and security of all minorities.
Pastor killed, injured
Gunmen killed a Christian priest and wounded another as the clerics drove home from church in Peshawar, police said. Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on the car on the city’s ring-road, killing Pastor William Siraj instantly, officers added.
Azad Marshall, the most senior bishop in the Church of Pakistan, condemned the attack and tweeted: “We demand justice and protection of Christians from the Government of Pakistan.”
TV footage showed emergency services removing Siraj from the car, and people chanting “Long live Jesus Christ” as they carried his body on a bed through the streets to a house. Mourners hugged each other and sobbed.
Pastor Siraj’s colleague Reverend Patrick Naeem was out of danger and being treated for his injuries, a spokesman for the city’s Lady Reading hospital said. Bishop Azad said both were clergy of the Diocese of Peshawar in the Church of Pakistan, which is a union of protestant churches including the Methodists and the Anglicans.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has taken notice of the incident and instructed the inspector-general of police (IGP) to immediately arrest the perpetrators.
CCPO Abbas Ahsan said that terrorists were looking for ‘soft targets’ and the authorities have already traced elements involved in targeted killings of minority community members and taken action against them. He added that elements involved in this incident will also be traced and exposed soon. The CCPO said that they were looking into data, including geo-fencing, to reach the culprits.
The incident also drew condemnation from Christian religious leaders, including National Minorities Commission member Albert David, who not only condemned the attack, but demanded of the inspector general of police (IGP) to immediately investigate the incident and arrest the culprits.
He also called on the government to ensure the safety of Christian institutions and leaders in view of the “rising tide of terrorism”, and reiterated the need for unity to defeat “enemies of Pakistan and peace”.
