Shahbaz Bhatti laid to rest amid sobs and tears

KHUSHPUR( Faisalabad): Shirtless men beat their chests and women wailed in grief as the body of slain Federal Minorities Affairs Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, was buried in his home village Khushpur, Fasialbad, on Friday.

A Catholic religious leader read prayers and Bible verses counselling patience as black flags fluttered nearby and Bhatti’s picture loomed over the crowd. Afterwards, his body was laid to rest in a cemetery next to his father’s grave, who died around two months ago. Earlier, the funeral mass was held at the Fatima Churuch in Islamabad. The coffin was wrapped in green and white national flag along with a flag of All-Pakistan Minorities Alliance. The funeral service was attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, parliamentarians, diplomats, relatives, friends and members of Christian community.Information Minister Firdaus Ashiq Awan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Minster for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Manzoor Wattoo were also present to pay homage to the assassinated minister. “People like him, they are very rare,” the prime minister said, “I assure you, we will try our utmost to bring the culprits to justice.”The bishop, who led the services, said Bhatti gave his life for the noble cause of interfaith harmony and his blood would not go waste. “We are proud that our brother sacrificed his life for the noble cause. Every member of our family is ready to give life for the country,” said the late Bhatti’s brother, Micheal Bhatti.Outside the church, minorities community held protest and demanded arrest of the culprits involved in the assassination of the minister. After the services, his coffin and family members were transported through helicopters to ancestral village Kushpur, Sumundri District, Fasialbad for final rituals.