Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – After the last tragic bombing of a Sufi Muslim temple in Lahore (1 July), the government of Pakistan announced the creation of a task force to fight terrorism and the convening of a national conference of political parties and civil and religious organizations to tackle the fight against terrorism. Fides sources in the Christian community in the country say that religious minorities have welcomed the government initiative and the Christians of Pakistan (overall 2.5% of the population) have announced a special prayer campaign called “Pray for Pakistan.”
The decision to deal more firmly with the emergency of terrorism was the object of debate in a national security summit convened by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
The Executive will enact a "National Counter Terrorism Authority" (NACTA), to assist the Government in formulating short and long term strategies against the attacks that continue to disfigure the country. "The government hopes to find a national consensus among political and religious forces," said Information Minister, Qaman Zaman Kaira, also announcing the "National Anti-Terrorism Conference."
Meanwhile, 23 terrorist groups have been banned by the authorities of the Punjab province of East Pakistan, where terrorist cells are lurking and acting. Among the illegal groups are the radical movement "Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the separatist group" Lashkar-e-Taiba,” the jihadist organization Jaish-e-Muhammad," and the Islamist movement "Hizb-ut-Tehri."
The government, note Fides sources, aims to stem terrorism on the one hand reinforcing the commitment of the security and intelligence forces, on the other broadening the popular base of consensus in society, uniting all the “healthy” forces of "civil and democratic society in this effort."
Christian communities in the country have decided to support these efforts through prayer. A national campaign called "Pray for Pakistan" has been launched. Christians, note Fides sources, "will pray for love, peace, harmony, and an end to the evil of terrorism and extremism." The initiative, launched by some Protestant churches and Christian organizations, is being promoted on an ecumenical level, gaining followers from many faith communities of all denominations, especially young people. "The youth can play a vital role for peace in Pakistan," note the organizers.
Fides sources in Pakistan remarked that to defeat the ideology and terrorist groups, "there should be a great effort made in the area of education and information on the part of the institutions and the media, as well as support from foreign countries, as the phenomenon reaches beyond national boundaries." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/07/2010)
