Pakistan’s powerful army chief General Asim Munir on Monday said there is no place for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society as he met members of the minority Christian community and appreciated their services for the welfare and defense of the country.
His comments assume significance in the backdrop of the “Jaranwala incident”, where a mob vandalized 22 churches and set fire to several Christian houses on charges of blasphemy. There were no casualties but it was one of the most devastating attacks on Christians in the Muslim-majority country.
“Islam is a religion of peace and there is no place for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society. No one can be allowed to take law into their own hands in a civilized society,” General Munir said during an interaction with 14 members. ” Delegation of Christian community led by Dr. Azad Marshall – Moderator and Presiding Bishop (Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Raiwind) at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
The Army said in a statement that matters of mutual interest, religious and inter-religious harmony were discussed during the meeting.
General Munir “appreciated the contribution of the Pakistani Christian community to national development, including promotion of quality education, health care and philanthropic services, and the outstanding role played by them in defense of the motherland.”
The delegation acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistan Army in fighting terrorism and providing a safe environment to minorities in the country, and as an inspiration to Pakistani minorities to take a greater active part in nation building and restore their confidence. Appreciated the Army Chief’s move. According to the statement, a united and tolerant society.
Authorities have so far restored nine of the 22 churches that were burned by violent mobs on charges of blasphemy.
At least 24 churches and several dozen small chapels as well as several houses were torched in a series of brutal mob-led attacks against the Christian community on August 16, according to a report by Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission fact-finding mission. It was given and looted. Jaranwala city, a city in the Punjab province, on charges of blasphemy against a Christian man.
It said the mob attack on Christian places of worship, their residences and cemeteries was part of a “larger hate campaign against local Christians” and questioned the open involvement of radical Islamists and police complicity in the incident.