London: September 22, 2014. (PCP) On September 22 Pakistani Christians throughout the world marked the first anniversary of the suicide bombing at All Saints Church in Peshawar. They held special prayers and remembered those who were martyred in this horrific attack. One hundred and nineteen faithful were killed and 150 injured.
Many are still suffering because they were not provided with the required medical treatment in time. Islamic extremist group TTP Jundullah - which has links to the Taliban - claimed responsibility for the blast, which was the deadliest attack on Christians in Pakistani history and was condemned worldwide but no one has been punished yet.
The Pakistani government had announced compensation for the victims and their families but some are still waiting to receive their cheques.
The Ex-chief justice of Pakistan, Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, had taken a suo motto notice over the church attack in Peshawar and had ordered the government to constitute a Council for Minorities’ Rights and special force to protect minorities’ places of worship.
However, so far the government has not taken any action and Christians continue to live under constant fear because of rising and obvious racial hatred against them.
They have been demanding the protection of their churches, towns and villages for a very long time, but unfortunately their demands have been falling on deaf ears.
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK said: “The Pakistani government must form a special force to protect the churches and other religious minorities places of worship, as the government is under obligation to obey the Supreme Court’s order.”