Christmas celebrated amid tight security

Staff Report

MULTAN: Christians of South Punjab celebrated an enthusiastic Christmas amid tight security.

The Punjab government distributed clothes and gifts among Christians. “We increased security arrangements at churches, temples, and other religious places besides the residences of foreigners in Muzaffargarh,” said Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, Multan deputy inspector general.

Bishop Andrew Francis said, “We have celebrated Christmas peacefully and a number of Muslims joined our celebrations to exchange happiness.

Christmas is special for all of us because it gives us opportunity to build harmony and peace among religious sects, communities and people.”

Musharraf’s life is at stake: Pakistan Seraiki Party chief Barrister Taj Muhammad Khan Langah said on Friday that a second attempt on General Musharraf’s life within ten days of previous attacks showed that his countdown had begun and his opponents wanted to get rid of him.

Addressing a press conference, he said recent reshuffling in the Army had prompted military officers to move against Gen Musharraf’s policies. He said an agreement between the government and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) would not restore democracy, adding that the deal had deepened the constitutional crisis because the Legal Framework Order had been reshaped.

Mr Langha said the MMA was in fact a military regime’s card played by the establishment in time for the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation summit.

He said under the agreement the MMA had secured the position of its members whose degrees has been challenged in court and more than 50 percent of MMA members could be disqualified through the controlled judiciary anytime.

He said the govt-MMA agreement had darkened the career of patriots like Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari and Sherpao. He said a constitutional amendment about the Punjab Division and the creation of a fifth province should also be included in the constitutional package in the national interest. “If it is not done then the Pakistan Seraiki Party will protest before parliament,” he added.

He said his party would also demonstrate during the SAARC summit in Islamabad and Multan to pressure India to release water in Sutlej and Biyas.

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