LONDON (PNI) The Pakistani community in the UK has demanded exemplary punishment to accused in the horrific incident of lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot area of Pakistan.
Fahim Kayani, president Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK, called an emergency meeting on Saturday where Pakistani Muslim scholars living in the UK strongly condemned the brutal killing of Mr Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot on Thursday.
In a joint statement, the Pakistani Islamic scholars from different masalaks including Peer Niaz ul Hasan, Mulana Zafar ullah Shah, Maulana Imdad ul Hasan Madani, Peer Muhammad Tayyib, Maulana Muhammad Sarfraz Madani, Alama Syed Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, Mulana Tariq Masood, Mufti Hanif Hussani Hafiz Sajid Zaffar, Azam Farooq besides prominent community leaders attended the meeting and expressed their heartfelt condolence and prayers to the Sri Lankan brother who was horrifically attacked.
Mr Kumara was lynched and then set on fire by dozens of extremist elements in Sialkot.
Pakistani nation has condemned the act and Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured fast-track dispensation of justice.
“This is indeed a tragedy of the highest scale and it becomes ever more relevant in dealing with the extremism spectrum,” the joint statement said.
“Dividers to peace will always be there,” the statement said, calling for joint strict action against the accused. “We fully condemn them all and pray for peace to the deceased.”
The scholars said extremism and violence is a worldwide issue, and therefore, “requires a united approach from all of us to engage in dialogue.”
“It is paramount that we embrace love, peace and inclusion of all communities from all walks of life,” the joint statement said.
“We stand with our Sri Lankan community and expect the Pakistani goverment officials to bring to account the persons responsible for the death of Mr Priyantha Kumara. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time,” the statement added.
Kayani said nothing justifies taking law in to ones hands.
“It is clear from various scholarly debates and discussions in Islamic jurisprudence that the implementation of Islamic punishments is specific to the ruler of at the time,” he said. “No one has a right to take law into one’s own hands.”
The Tehreek-e-Kashmir president said adherence to rule of law of the land is “significance of a civilized society that earns respect worldwide.”
“No one is guilty until proven so and this is the duty of the government and state to ensure justice is delivered and accused of this horrific incident are brought to book and make an example out of it,” he added.
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