ISLAMABAD; Pakistan’s political and military leadership on Monday had a hours long discussion on the Sialkot incident, involving lynching of Preyantha Kumara , a Sri Lankan national, who was serving as a production manager in a factory there for years.
The political and military leadership had complete unanimity of views that the Sialkot incident was outcome of the teaching of a particular school of thought in the name of religious teaching that had nothimg to do with the religion rather it was promoting the element of intolerence and extremism in the society. These views were shared by the political and military leadership at a meeting of the National Security Committee held here with prime minister, Imran Khan, in the chair.
An official handout issued after the NSC meeting said the participants expressed serious concern over the incident of lynching of a Sri Lankan citizen by a group of frenzied people in Sialkot.
It added that the NEC meeting vowed to stop such incidents in the future. The NSC also reiterated that those involved in lynching of Sri Lankan citizens would be brought before the court of law to get them punished.
The official handout added that the NSC meeting expressed the views that the government will not allow any group or individual to take the law in hand in any case in the name of religion. The NSC also appreciated the courgious role of Malik Adnan, a colleague of lynched Sri Lankan citizen, who tried to protect the life of Preyantha Kumra from frenzied group of people. Prime minister, Imran Khanz has announced “Tamgha Shujaat” for Malik Adnan for his courgious act in the incident.
The Sialkot incident has questioned the authority of the state of Pakistan . It not only damaged friendly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but also caused irriparable loss to Pakistan internationally. It provided an opportunity to the enemies of Pakistan to present it as a society that was run by extremism and religious fanatism. It put Pakistan into the worst position in the world community.
Pakistan needs to take quick and tough decisions to put an end to religious fanatism. It’s only possible if it takes practical steps against those who were involved in religious fanatism.
