Christian institutions to remain closed today for mourning
By Angelina Bashir

ISLAMABAD—The Christian Educational institutions throughout Pakistan will be closed tomorrow on 17 November 2005, in protest at the attacks on Christian Churches in Sangala Hill, this past weekend. The other religious minorities have alsojoined the call of APMA to close their institutes Minorities will observe day of prayers acid mourning tomorrow Christians of Pakistan arc in grief and shocked on this tragic incident'.
Chairman All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), Mr Shahbaz Bhatti said in the press statement issued here today. Mr. Bhatti said, "This violence demonstrates how religious extremists instigate the religious sentiments of the people for their vested interests, these elements arc creating social, sectarian and inter religious disharmony. It is a negligence of the government to allow these elements to commit such violence al large scale causing huge amount of devastation."
Mr Bhatti pointed out that the attackers of 12 November 2005 at Sanagala Hill also burned books of Islamiatc and copies of Holy Quran during their attack on Churches and schools. Government must charge the perpetrators on this heinous crime too.
Mr Bhatti lamented that the attackers burned hundred of Holy Bibles, three Churches, on Chapel, Christian Literature, Crosses including other Christian material and set fire to the Christian homes but till today no higher government authority visited the site of incident to show their solidaritv with the Christians.
Mr. Bhatti said, "Police is not arresting the 'master minds' and key suspects of the act nominated by the local Christian community and Church leaders of Sanagla Hill." Mr. Bhatti called for immediate judicial inquiry in to the incident and suspension of local police officials for their criminal negligence.
Mr. Bhatti reiterated his demands that the Chief Minister Punjab or Prime Minister should visit the site of incident and issue public statement to condemn this act of religious terrorism. Mr. Bhatti said, "The ashes of Holy Bibles and other damaged Holy material will not be removed from the damaged Church buildings until Chief Minister of Punjab or Prime Minister personally visits the site of incident."
Mr. Bhatti warned that if the government will not pay heed to our demands then minorities will be compcllcd to launch countrywide protest.