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14 Oct, 2013

Pakistan PM announces Rs.200M fund for Trust to help victims of Church bombing

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PESHAWAR, October 10 (APP): Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday announced allocation of Rs.200 million fund for a Trust to be set up by Christian community to rehabilitate victims of devastating suicide bomb blasts at All Saints Church on September 22 which claimed 83 precious lives and injured 140 persons.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister while meeting with a delegation of Christian community which called on him at the Governor House. Chief Minister KP, Pervez Khattak and Governor KP, Engr Shaukatullah Khan were present on the occasion. During the briefing, representative of Christian community apprised the Prime Minister about formation of the proposed trust and the problems of the affected families of the blast victims.

The representative of the community told Prime Minister that most of the church blast victims were poor people who were facing great difficulties to get proper treatment. Majority of the victims have become disabled and their families urgently require financial support to mitigate their sufferings.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on the occasion announced that a fund of Rs.200 million will be allocated for the proposed Trust to be formed for the help of victims. He elaborated that the provincial government of KP would inject an amount ofRs.100 million for the Trust while the remaining amount will be provided by federal government.

Earlier, the Prime Minister expressed his strong condemnation over the recentbomb blasts in Peshawar. He said it is very deplorable that people from every section of life are being targeted by terrorists. However, he hastened to add, government has taken the resolve of taking all possible step for the safety and security of people.

Restoration of peace is top most priority of the present government and effective legislation is on the anvil for elimination of terrorism. No compromise would be made on peace in the country, he added.

Prime Minister held out assurance of full support and protection to minorities.He said people belonging to every school of thought are important for him because he is the Prime Minister of Pakistan and not of a single group of people.

He said rights of minorities would be fully protected and there will be no discrimination with them. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister KP, Pervez Khattak said the provincial government has enhanced security of worship places of minorities.