KARACHI, August 16, 2024 — Sindh Assembly member, Advocate Roma Mushtaq Matto, issued a poignant statement today condemning the Jaranwala tragedy and urging the nation to unite against extremism and intolerance. Matto, a representative of the Pakistan Peoples Party and a strong advocate for minority rights, expressed deep sorrow over the violence that unfolded in Jaranwala on August 16, 2023, which left the Christian community devastated.
"Whenever the history of darkness, bigotry, and extremism in Pakistan is recounted, the Jaranwala tragedy will continue to haunt us with grief," Matto stated. She recalled how a few extremist elements turned the skies of her beloved nation sorrowful by displacing innocent Christian families from their homes, leaving them helpless within their own country. “Our Christian brothers and sisters were forced to seek refuge in their own land, caught in a struggle between life and death,” she said.
Matto lamented the desecration of churches, the looting of property, and the arson of homes by those she described as “people seeking paradise by committing these atrocities.” She also criticized the authorities for their failure to protect the victims, remarking, “It is painful that even the administration of this city was powerless at that time."
Highlighting the increasing religious intolerance and extremism in society, Matto stressed the urgent need for collective action to curb such incidents. "Incidents of violence in the name of religion are escalating, and we must come together to stop them," she said.
As a passionate defender of minority rights, Matto reminded the nation of the significance of the white in Pakistan’s flag, symbolizing the presence and protection of minorities. "Our forefathers' blood is in the foundations of this country," she said, affirming that despite all the challenges, Pakistan’s Christian community remains steadfast in its commitment to the country's peace and prosperity. "Our life and death are with Pakistan," she asserted, calling for peace and protection for all its citizens.
Matto concluded her statement with a prayer for Pakistan, "May God make this nation a cradle of peace. Amen."
