Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday night ordered an investigation into an attack on a Hindu temple in Khairpur’s Kumb area, where earlier this week assailants set fire to statues and holy books before fleeing.
Khan said the Sindh government “must take swift and decisive action against the perpetrators” of the attack. “This is against the teachings of the Quran.”
No one has claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, which was condemned by Hindus as well as local Muslims.
MNA Ramesh Kumar, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, went to Kumb on Tuesday along with the Sukkur commissioner, Khairpur deputy commissioner and Sukkur deputy inspector general in order to visit the temple and examine the damage caused to it.
He also spoke to members of the local Hindu community and collected details of the incident.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail also took notice of the incidenet upon receiving a report from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Jai Prakash Ukrani.
In a statement issued by Governor House, Ismail had said such incidents were part of a conspiracy to sabotage the prevalent interfaith harmony and religious concord in the province. He said the government was making all-out efforts to ensure safety and security of minorities.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the need to strengthen the local government system in provinces in order to ensure equal development of all areas. He was talking to PTI’s Members of National Assembly from Hazara division, who called on in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The prime minister also emphasized for implementation of provincial finance award so that the areas lagging behind development could be provided with sufficient resources.
Imran Khan said tht special emphasis should be given to solid waste management and waste to energy projects in the provinces.
The prime minister said steps were afoot to tap the tourism potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province witnessed a decrease in poverty over the last three years due to promotion of tourism. He said the tourism sector will be further promoted to bring more prosperity in the province.
The members of National Assembly apprised the prime minister about the problems of their constituencies.
He said technical colleges are being set up in Balochistan for imparting vocational training to the youth. He also emphasized on utilization of solar energy to fulfil energy needs in Balochistan.
The prime minister said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and development process in Gwadar will create enormous opportunities for social and economic development of the people of Baluchistan.
He said that the government was fully aware of shortage of water, especially the potable water, and he is in touch with Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal to address this issue.
Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal apprised the prime minister about difficulties of fishermen due to construction of passage way linking Expressway on East Bay.
She demanded expansion of passage way to redress fishermen’s problems. The prime minister directed to immediately resolve this matter. Views were also exchanged regarding problems being faced by the people of Balochistan.
MNAs Sardar Muhammad Israr Tareen, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Ehsanullah Reki, and Rubina Irfan were also present on the occasion.
Published in Daily Times, February 7th 2019.
