JAC Appeals to Punjab CM on Minority Safety in Sargodha

 News Desk 

Lahore: In an urgent appeal addressed to Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights (JAC) has called for her immediate attention to the deteriorating situation in Sargodha and other areas, highlighting attacks on minorities and the apparent lack of law enforcement.

Irfan Mufti, JAC Convener, representing around 35 organizations, reported that the Christian community, in particular, has faced intimidation and threats following the brutal mob killing of Nazir Masih.

Despite reaching out to the local Meesaq Centre of Sargodha police for immediate action against those issuing threats, the police failed to respond promptly.

The appeal emphasized that the unrest persists, with Nazir Masih’s family and the Christian community of approximately 150-200 families unable to resume normal life in Gillwala and Mujahid Colony, Sargodha.

Furthermore, the assailants involved in the mob violence have not been apprehended. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has openly issued threats of violence, held gatherings in violation of section 144 of the Cr.P.C., and demanded the release of suspects involved in the mob violence.

TLP local leaders, during a protest march in Sargodha, justified the killing of Nazir/Lazar Masih and threatened the administration, warning that TLP would confront law enforcement agencies as they had in the past.

The urgent appeal also called for initiating trauma healing for the city, referencing the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) recent fact-finding report, which recommended controlling hate speech against minorities, apprehending the culprits, and starting the healing process.

The JAC urged the Chief Minister to get updates directly from the affected communities, order legal action against law violators, acknowledge the severe impact of the abuse of blasphemy laws in Punjab, and adopt a strategy to swiftly address this issue.

Additionally, the appeal called on the Punjab government to upgrade the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the police to effectively deal with mob violence and establish a Commission of Inquiry under the Inquiry Commission Act of 1956 to investigate blasphemy cases.