[Geo News] Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has said that incident of Gojra could be averted if police and administration had reacted diligently, efficiently and with sense of responsibility.He was addressing Christians during his visit to Christian Colony, Catholic Church and village Korian near Gojra on Tuesday. The Governor expressed his shock and grief over this incident and said that such treatment to Christians in Pakistan of Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is highly regrettable. "The white strip in our national flag clearly admits the presence of minorities and PPP would continue its struggle for their fundamental rights," he said and added that Christians are very dear to us as a Christian had committed suicide on the hanging of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
"We are duty bound to protect their fundamental and constitutional rights, " he added.
He said that President Asif Ali Zardari had also taken an immediate notice of this situation and sent Rangers to restore normalcy and protect Christians' life and properties. "We are also here to share your grievances and give you a sense of protection on the special directive of President Asif Ali Zardari," he added.
Governor expressed surprise on the presence of large number of police officials during his visit and said that this incident could be avoided if police and administration had reacted efficiently and diligently. He assured Christians that federal government would help them and protect their life and property at all costs.
He also directed chairman Evacuee Trust Property to send engineers to undertake the work for the repair and construction of damaged houses. " He termed incident of Gojra as a black spot on Pakistan's face and said that we all should make serious efforts to remove it as early as possible". "Gojra incident is not a sudden happening," he said and added that it was a planned conspiracy. "Same elements are involved in it that had turned Swat into a hell," he said and added we had flushed them out from Swat and would also eliminate them from Punjab.
He said that families of dead would get Rs.5 Lac while Rs.3 Lac would be given for the repair of damaged properties.
Federal Minister for Minorities Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti said that judicial inquiry into this incident has already been ordered and strict action would be taken against elements responsible of these riots. He said that President had asked him to go to Gojra to condole with the affectees. "We would remain available here till their complete rehabilitation," he assured.
Mr. Bhatti also said that this incident could be averted if police and administration had reacted efficiently. He said that President had taken immediate notice of this incident and sent Rangers to control the situation but it was a delayed action.
He termed this incident as a deep rooted conspiracy to sabotage the efforts of government to promote religious harmony. However, he said that elements involved in this riot would not be spared.