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Lahore (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Paul Bhatti, brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Pakistani minister for minorities killed March 2 while leaving his home in Islamabad (03/02/2011 Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani minister who defended Asia Bibi, is assassinated) has been named “special adviser "to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for religious minorities. The brother of the murdered minister will have substantially the same responsibilities as Shahbaz. Paul, who is a doctor and lived abroad, and also in Italy, yesterday met the Minister of Interior, Rehman Malik.
Paul and the Minister discussed various issues related to the assassination of the Christian leader, the advisor said he wanted to continue the work of his brother.Paul Bhatti has appealed to scholars and religious leaders from various schools of thought and faith to create a united front against terrorism. He has also decided to tour in the various provinces to verify the situation first hand and meet with leaders of various religious minorities.
Meanwhile Christian activists continue to protest over shortcomings in the investigation into Bhatti’s assassination. They reveal attempts to mislead public opinion and a lack of political will to arrest and punish those responsible, probably linked to Islamic groups who are holding the government hostage. Paul Bhatti has also expressed his disappointment over the lack of results from the inquiry into his brother’s murder and has called for the creation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry. The Christian community of Pakistan has launched a joint appeal for three days of prayer and fasting to demand that peace and stability are restored in the country. The three days end today. Even Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy and awaiting trial on appeal, is in the fasting for peace and justice in Sheikpura prison, as well as her husband and her children.
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