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Ramesh Singh Demands Thorough Probe Into Mardan Sikh Couple Killing
OUR CORRESPONDENT
MARDAN: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to uncover the motives behind the brutal murder of a Sikh couple in Mardan and ensure the protection of minority communities and their places of worship across the province.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police should also assess the mental health and conduct of its personnel to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Speaking at a press conference in Mardan alongside minority MPA Suresh Kumar and Pakistan Muslim League-N district president Syed Inayat Shah Bacha, Mr Sungh expressed concern over the killing and called for a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case.
Earlier, he met Mardan DIG Qasim Ali Khan and DPO Masood Ahmed and discussed the investigation and progress made so far. He also attended a prayer ceremony at the gurdwara, met the daughter of the deceased couple and expressed his condolences.
Mr Singh said a sizeable Sikh community had once lived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but its population had been steadily declining due to various circumstances. He added that the incident in Babu Mohallah, Mardan, had not only damaged Pakistan’s international image but had also received extensive coverage in global media, causing concern and anger among Sikhs around the world.
He said the DIG and DPO had assured him that the arrested suspect was being investigated on merit and would be brought to justice in accordance with the law. However, he stressed that investigators should broaden the scope of the inquiry to determine all possible motives and factors behind the crime.
Questioning the provincial government, the minister asked why such incidents were occurring in the province and to what extent the government was fulfilling its responsibility to protect citizens, particularly minorities. He said the case could not be dismissed as merely the act of an individual and required a comprehensive investigation into all its dimensions.
Mr Ramesh further called for individuals holding extremist views to be kept away from minority places of worship. He said strict action should be taken against any police officer found to be promoting or sympathising with extremist ideologies while serving in the force.
He also demanded full security for the family of the slain Sikh couple as well as for those who played a role in registering the case.
Praising the Sikh community in Mardan, Mr Singh said that despite their grief and anguish, community members had not resorted to protests or violence, which he described as commendable. He noted that attacks on minorities in any part of the country affected the image of Pakistan as a whole.
He urged both the federal and provincial governments to adopt a joint strategy to eliminate terrorism and extremism and to make the protection of all citizens, regardless of their faith, a top priority.
National
US-Iran Peace Accord a Ray of Hope for Middle East and Global Peace: Archbishop Joseph Arshad
ISLAMABAD/Rawalpindi, Archbishop Dr. Joseph Arshad, Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, has welcomed the peace accord between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important step toward stability in the Middle East, global peace, and the protection of innocent human lives.
In a statement, Archbishop Arshad said that at a time when the Middle East and the wider world had been facing fear, tension, and uncertainty, the peace accord had emerged as a hopeful sign that dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual understanding could prevail over confrontation and conflict. He termed the agreement an act of courage, responsibility, and moral strength.
The Archbishop appreciated the efforts of all parties involved in the negotiations that led to the accord and expressed special gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their constructive and historic role in facilitating dialogue, de-escalation, and mutual understanding among the parties.
He said Pakistan had played an important role in promoting dialogue and confidence-building measures, demonstrating its ability to serve as a bridge among nations and as a responsible member of the international community.
Highlighting the economic significance of the agreement, Archbishop Arshad said peace in the region would have a positive impact on oil prices and global energy stability. He noted that the Strait of Hormuz was one of the world’s most vital routes for the transportation of oil and energy supplies, and that any instability in the region directly affected oil prices, transportation costs, inflation, and the daily lives of ordinary people around the globe.
A peaceful and secure Strait of Hormuz, he said, would help restore confidence in international markets, ease pressure on oil prices, and support economic stability, particularly for developing countries and vulnerable communities already struggling with rising living costs.
Archbishop Arshad further observed that the accord could have far-reaching implications for peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond. If implemented with sincerity, responsibility, and sustained diplomatic engagement, it could reduce the risk of wider conflict, encourage renewed dialogue on regional and international security issues, protect civilian populations, and open new avenues for cooperation among nations.
He emphasized that conflicts should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations rather than war, adding that the agreement could serve as an example for other conflict-affected regions. However, he stressed that the accord must not remain merely a signed document but should become a practical foundation for lasting peace and stability.
Concluding his statement, Archbishop Arshad prayed that the accord would become a turning point for the Middle East and a renewed symbol of hope for the entire world. He also prayed for Pakistan and all nations working for peace, asking Almighty God to bless world leaders with wisdom, humility, and courage so that paths of dialogue may remain open, hatred may be extinguished, and a just and lasting peace may prevail.
