Daily Times

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation. “Why didn’t the police stop the violent mob? The rule of law should be ensured. No one should be allowed to influence the law,” he was quoted as saying by a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.PM Shehbaz said that ensuring peace and order was the first priority for the relevant institutions responsible for that duty. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety ShaziaMarri said the incident was part of a “sad and dangerous trend that continues to haunt our society!””Need to counter with an effective narrative to achieve peace and harmony. We must learn to coexist and be tolerant. Pakistan was founded on strong principles that allowed everyone to live freely,” she said. PTI Vice President and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the incident showed the state machinery’s collapse.”[I] wish [the] government shows 50 per cent [of the] will to deal with religious fanatics as they deal with political opponents,” he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Tahir MehmoodAshrafi condemned the incident, saying it was regrettable the way the charged mob attacked the blasphemy accused. “Inhuman torture and killing the person, accused of blaspheming the Holy Quran in Nankana Sahib and attacking at the police station is regrettable and condemnable. – Pakistan Ulema Council,” Ashrafi said in a tweet.