Clerics slam attack on Peshawar church

Pakistani Muslim clerics have strongly condemned a recent attack by pro-Taliban militants that targeted Christian worshippers in the violence-wracked northwestern city of Peshawar.

Condemning the deadly attack at a church in Peshawar, the clerics said such incidents were part of a campaign against Islam and Pakistan, the daily Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday.

œWe believe that the attack on the church was a conspiracy against Islam and Pakistan,” the religious scholars said during a gathering in Islamabad.

They also described killing of innocent minorities as ˜un-Islamic™ and suggested exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous and inhumane act.

Pakistani security officials say at least 81 people have been confirmed dead after pro-Taliban bombers attacked Christian worshippers on Sunday.

Over 131 others were injured when blasts ripped through the church in the violence-wracked city. The bombs went off when worshippers were coming out of the church.

Meanwhile, Christians have taken to the streets across Pakistan to show their anger at Sunday’s terrorist attack in the troubled northwestern region.

Protests took place in several cities including the capital, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Multan.

Protesters in Islamabad blocked the main highway to the city™s airport. In Karachi, the protesters vandalized public property, with police making arrests. Police there used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

The Pakistani government has announced three days of mourning.

Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in bombings and other militant attacks since 2001, when Pakistan entered an alliance with the United States in the so-called war on terror.

Thousands more have been displaced by the wave of violence and militancy sweeping across the country.

JR/PR