Federal government grant has yet to reach :Pervaiz Rasheed

Lahore: Leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that as many as 150 persons involved in Badami Bagh tragedy have been arrested while 54 persons have been recognized against whom challans have been prepared and submitted to anti-terrorist court. He said that the court has been requested to hear these cases on daily basis so that deterrent punishment could be awarded to those responsible. He said, on the directive of Chief Minister Punjab, Punjab government has distributed cheques amounting to Rs.5 lakh each among 255 affected families, however, grant announced by federal government has so far not reached the affectees.

He said that the Punjab government had requested Chief Justice Lahore
High Court on very first day to constitute a commission to conduct
judicial investigation of the tragedy.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid expressed these views while addressing a largely attended press conference at 90-Shahra-e-Quaid Azam, here today. Provincial Education Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood were also present on the occasion. Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that those officials who were directly responsible for this negligence have been removed from their posts and suspended so that they are not in a position to influence independent, transparent and impartial investigation. He said that Punjab government set up tent village for the rehabilitation of the affectees on very first day, while a relief camp was also established in a school. He said that three time meal is being served to the affectees in a village of 200 tents, while two medical camps have been set up and an ambulance has also been provided in this regard.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that on the special directive of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, work on the construction of houses has been initiated from March 10, and assigned to 20 separate contractors in order to ensure early completion of houses. He said that besides water supply, electricity and drainage,pavement of streets of Joseph Colony is being carried out on war footings. He said that cheques amounting to five lakh rupees each have been distributed so far among 255 families, while a counter of Punjab
Bank has also been opened at Joseph Colony to provide convenience to
the affectees to enable them get immediate cash. He said that those
affectees who did not have Identity card are now being issued ID
cards. He said that a police post has also been established for
protection of Christian brethren while an officer of SP rank has also
been deputed there. He said, on the directive of Punjab Chief
Minister, reconstruction of both the churches is being carried out in
a beautiful and dignified manner.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that police have
arrested more than 150 persons, while challan of 54 persons involved
in the tragedy is being submitted to anti-terrorist court. He said 80
persons had been nominated in the case who have been arrested while
police have been given a target to arrest other persons within a day.
He said the court has been requested to conduct hearing of the case on daily basis, so that culprits could be awarded maximum punishment
besides discouraging recurrence of such incidents in future and the
affectees could be freed from psychological pressure. Answering a
question, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that nobody has given any threat to the affectees for vacating this place so far nor they had been made any offer to purchase this place before or after the happening of this incident.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that, if any one has any
information in this regard, it should be pointed out to Supreme Court
so that such elements could also be unmasked. He said that expression
of similar sentiments by all political parties on this issue has given the message to Pakistani nation reject intolerance, narrow mindedness and prejudice. He said that ulema from all schools of thought have expressed their complete solidarity with Christian brethren. He also appreciated the role of media and said that its positive reporting has discouraged violent protesters. He further said that Provincial Minister, Assembly Members and officers of various departments are supervising the entire process of rehabilitation of affectees and construction work of the houses.