Pakistani Christians Condemn Attacks in Mumbai

Solidarity and condolences of Christians for the victims, but also the firm intention to carry forward the dialogue and peace process between the two countries.

ISLAMABAD (AsiaNews) - Firm condemnation from Pakistani Christians for the attacks in Mumbai. In expressing "profound solidarity and condolences" to the victims, they call upon the governments of India and Pakistan for "a joint effort" to ensure peace and security in the region.

Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, the federal minister for minorities and head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, reiterates to AsiaNews that "we strongly condemn this act of barbaric terrorism and share our grief and sorrow with all families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy." "The people who committed this sheer violence should be unmasked and be treated under the law."

The minister rejects and criticizes "the statements of Indian officials that Pakistan may be behind all this terrorist activity. This is policy of the Indian government, since for a long time they have immediately blamed Pakistan for such actions." Bhatti recalls that Pakistan is on the front line of the war against terrorism, at the price of many lives, and maintains that Islamabad and New Delhi must work together against this threat, above all by developing dialogue and gestures of peace.

The parliamentarian had never heard about the Mujahideen of Deccan, the group that has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and repeats that "it is the responsibility of the Indian government to investigate all the indicators and find out the truth behind all this."

Mehboob Sada, director of the Christian Study Centre, an ecumenical Christian group that works for dialogue and peace, also condemns these "acts of pure cruelty that are in no way justifiable." He emphasizes that the governments of the two countries must stop "exchanging accusations," and carry forward dialogue and the peace process, together with development for their populations, unmasking "those forces in the shadows" that do not want peace and friendship between these two nuclear powers.

He explains to AsiaNews that at this crucial moment, civil society, human rights groups, and the media have an important role in promoting dialogue and unmasking those who oppose this. "We Christians," he says, "spread the message of peace and of the life of Jesus Christ, we do not accept any solution that comes through violence and terror."

Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also immediately and decisively condemned the attacks.

"On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan and on my own behalf, I wish to express our deep shock and sorrow at terrorist attacks in Mumbai", Zardari said in a message addressed to Indian president Pratibha Devisingh Patil. "The people of Pakistan join you in mourning the loss of so many precious lives. We offer our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family members of all those who have lost their lives or have been injured in these incidents. Terrorism is a scourge of humanity, which needs to be rooted out."

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In his message, addressed to Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Gilani said that "such acts of violence and terrorism are totally unacceptable in any civilized society."

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has offered India complete cooperation in the investigations of the terrorists.