Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday emphatically stated that the government will not spare anyone found involved in violence in the name of religion.
“The message of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), who was declared by Allah Almighty as Rehmatul-Lil-Alameen, is based humanity and justice,” the premier said while addressing a condolence reference at Prime Minister’s Office for Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara who was brutally lynched by a mob in Sialkot last week over blasphemy allegations.
He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) brought an ideological revolution and united the humanity through message of love and justice.
Regretting the lynching of the Sri Lankan national in Sialkot, PM Imran said that the incident brought embarrassment to the entire nation and dented its image.
PM Imran mentioned his decision of establishing Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority and said its objective was to gather religious scholars at one platform and make the country’s youth fully aware of the life and achievements of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“All of us are the lovers of Holy Prophet (PBUH). But we have to prove it by following and adopting his way of life. For that purpose, we have to read history, his life and Seerat and hold debates at colleges,” he added.
PM Imran said that people especially the youth were required to know why Allah Almighty declared Holy Prophet (PBUH) as His “Beloved” and why Michael Hart, an American author kept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at number one in the list of 100 most influential persons in history.
Regretting that how people in Pakistan were used to giving “edicts of infidelity” Imran Khan mentioned that once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed his anger and did not talk with a Sahabi, who killed an infidel in a Holy war even after he (the infidel) recited Kalma Tayyaba.
Describing the Sialkot incident as “shameful”, he said that Pakistan was the only country in the world which was created in the name of Islam. “I am receiving a lot of messages from the Overseas Pakistanis, who feel ashamed of the Sialkot incident,” he remarked.
The prime minister said the business community of Sialkot has collected one hundred thousand dollars to be provided to the bereaved family of Priyantha Diyawadana. He said the bereaved family will also continue to receive the monthly salary.
Appreciating the courage of Malik Adnan, who put his life at risk to save the life of the Sri Lankan national, the Prime Minister said Malik Adnan will be conferred with Tamgha-e-Shujaat.
On the occasion, the premier also presented him with letter of appreciation.
Later, talking to media, Malik Adnan thanked the Prime Minister for announcing Tamgha-e-Shujaat for him and giving him a letter of appreciation.
Malik Adnan said he would like to dedicate these awards to the family of Priyantha Diyawadana.
The condolence reference was attended among others by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, federal ministers, members of Parliament, Ulema, artists and civil society representatives.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan's most senior religious scholars (ulema) belonging to the All Pakistan Ulema Council (APUC) held a condolence reference at Sri Lankan High Commission to condemn the heinous Sialkot lynching incident.
The gathering was held to express solidarity with the bereaved family and the Sri Lankan government and people over the incident.
During a press conference today, renowned religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani said that the incident was highly condemnable and was "against the teachings of Islam".
"The lynching was inhumane and against the teachings of Islam. Even though a price cannot be put on an individual's life, I would urge the federal government to pay compensation to the family members of the victim," Usmani said.
The religious scholar further added that everyone in the council was of the same opinion that the culprits involved in the brutal act should be punished according to the law.
On Friday, an angry mob of hundreds set the body of Diyawadana Priyantha, who was working as a manager at a private factory in Sialkot, on fire after lynching him over blasphemy allegations.
