The Punjab government approved the payment of Rs2 million to each of the families impacted by the Jaranwala rampage as compensation for the damages sustained in the mob violence last week.
Mohsin Naqvi, the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, stated on Sunday that the relief cheques would be sent to those affected by the Jaranwala event within the next two to three days.
For the first time in Punjab history, CM Naqvi presided over a cabinet meeting in a church as a rare gesture of solidarity with the Christian population. The conference was also attended by secretaries and senior officials.
Later, in Jamia Masjid Sabri in Delhi, he met members of the peace committee, including professors from various schools of thought and figures from other religions.
Naqvi told reporters following the meeting that the last cabinet meeting unanimously agreed on compensation of Rs2 million for each of the affected Christian families in Jaranwala.
He also stated that Muslim academics were willing to allow Christians to worship in mosques.
“I just had a meeting with the Peace Committee Jaranwala, and the religious leaders said that Christians can use their mosques for worship if their churches are damaged.”
“I believe the peace committee sent a very good message because it will aid in pacifying and controlling the situation that erupted following the August 16 tragedy,” the CM stated.
He described the Jaranwala episode as a major tragedy.
“As a result, we stand with our Christian brothers in this difficult time,” he added, adding that the Peace Committee would “play a dynamic role in addressing the ill effects of this tragedy by promoting love and affection among both communities.”
The chief minister further claimed that the rehabilitation of damaged churches began on Saturday and that two churches had already been restored.
“I also went to one of the churches where rehabilitation work had been completed,” he added, adding that the management of several churches had temporarily halted restoration work because they wanted some alterations and upgrades in its design.
However, all necessary equipment would stay on hand, and rehabilitation work would resume in these churches as soon as their administration permitted it.
He stated that the government would cover all costs of church rehabilitation and that he would return to Jaranwala until all issues with the affected people and their churches were resolved.
In response to a query, CM Naqvi stated that the government has already stated that the perpetrators in the Jaranwala riots would be prosecuted.
He stated that no criminal person would ever be spared, but those who were proven innocent would be given fair relief.
Earlier, in a coach, the CM and the province ministers arrived at the AEC Church in Isa Nagari and attended the Sunday service.
