Prime Minister Kakar
Following violence that led Christians living in Jaranwala city to seek refuge elsewhere, the statement was made.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar vows to prosecute those responsible for the May 9 riots caused by Imran Khan’s detention.
ISLAMABAD: Two days after a Muslim mob destroyed churches and homes in a Christian hamlet in the Punjab province, caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar promised on Friday to “sternly” respond to any crimes against religious minorities in Pakistan.
In the eastern Pakistani city of Jaranwala, the crowd stormed 12 churches and nearly 20 homes of minority Christians after becoming enraged at an alleged desecration of the Holy Qur’an. The police have detained more than 100 people.
Following the attacks on Wednesday, local Christians were forced to leave to safer locations as protesters set fire to houses, forcing the authorities to dispatch paramilitary troops to maintain order. Two other Christian males were detained by the police on charges of destroying the sacred book.
In his televised statement alongside the newly appointed interim cabinet, Kakar stated that all ethnic groups, creeds, and individuals from all religious backgrounds belonged and shared Pakistan, and that his administration would “discourage” conservatism in society.
“God willing, the rights of minorities will be upheld in this nation. The state and society would respond to any attempt to hurt them sternly and strictly, the prime minister said during his presentation to the inaugural meeting of the newly appointed interim government.
Although no one has ever been hanged for blasphemy in Pakistan, many accused individuals have been lynched by angry mobs.
Kakar, however, argued that such components were not shared by the Pakistani state or society.
He stated that rigidity could appear in the guise of religion, secularism, or in any other way. “These extreme attitudes will be discouraged, not merely because they are unwanted. The law will restrain and manage them.
The acting prime minister described the economic difficulties as “huge,” but added that his administration would work to impose fiscal restraint on the nation.
With a capable team like yourself, we will endeavor to maintain financial discipline and we will have a feeling of the sacredness of taxpayers’ money, he told his cabinet. “I have a deep sense that along with our economic challenges, which are huge,” he said.
The caretaker premier also discussed the possibility that his administration may last longer than the three months allowed by the constitution if the findings of the 2023 census were approved by the departing administration.
“I am well aware that we have a set amount of time here. We don’t have a mandate to serve this country or nation forever, he remarked.
“But in the time allotted, we will try to lay some groundwork where we have a sense of continuing the national and international commitments with all the previous governments, which they have given to the various forums. In continuation of that, we will try to support the new initiatives however the law and constitution allow us to do so, especially Special Investment Facilitation Council.”
In the midst of political and economic uncertainty, the prime minister committed to uphold the “rule of order”.
We would strive to distinguish between politics and law in this polarized context, I am aware of how divided our nation is.
Both the rule of law and the rule of order exist. Rule of order will not be jeopardized in any way, he guaranteed.
“No government system, no secular system, no religious theocratic system will ever be desired by the inhabitants of the relevant territory if there is turmoil or anarchy. We are aware of the sacredness of the order, which would be upheld at all costs.
The acting prime minister denounced the riots that took place on May 9 in protest of former premier Imran Khan’s detention, during which his supporters set fire to government buildings and other public property. Kakar expressed his disappointment at witnessing such brutality.
“We are now in the position to ensure that justice is served, not just to condemn it.”
