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Catholics demand justice for Lahore massacre victims

Catholic priests presented floral wreaths and lit candles for 14 political workers killed by police in 2014
Catholics demand justice for Lahore massacre victims

Minhaj-ul-Quran chief Tahir-ul-Qadri praying with Father Morris Jalal at the site of the massacre in Lahore. (Photo supplied)

Published: July 05, 2017 05:33 AM GMT
Updated: July 05, 2017 05:33 AM GMT

Church leaders have joined a Muslim organization in demanding action against police officials responsible for killing 14 protesters three years ago.

"We condemn the inaction against those responsible for killing innocent people," Father Morris Jalal founder and executive director of Catholic TV, told ucanews.com.

"We pray for justice for the victims, those who committed this brutality must be punished. The blood and sacrifice of the victims should bring change in our country," he said.

Father Jalal was part of a delegation of priests from the Catholic Church’s interfaith commission who on June 30 presented floral wreaths and lit candles for political workers killed when police raided Minhaj ul Quran Secretariat in Lahore on June 17, 2014.

Clashes three years ago broke out after supporters of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, a political party, protested attempts by the police to clear barriers outside their leader's offices in the Model Town suburb of Lahore.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and 19 others, including several federal ministers, were charged in the case but no arrests were ever made.

However, an anti-terrorism court had issued notice to 127 people including high ranking police officials on charges of killing the protesters.

Sohail Ahmad Raza, Director of Interfaith Relations Minhaj-ul-Quran International lauded the Catholic Church's support. "The law is protecting the killers instead of giving justice to those killed. The visiting Christian brothers shared in our grief. We welcome their support in this hour of need," he said.

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