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Pak Sikhs storm Parliament over attacks on holy places
Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Some members of the Sikh community protested outside the Parliament House on Friday against attacks on their places of worship and holy books in Sindh.

The protesters claimed that their gurdwaras in Karachi, Shikarpur and other cities of Sindh were allegedly being set on fire. They demanded Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to provide assurances regarding the security of their gurdwaras.

Protesters managed to enter the Parliament House premises by breaking the gate despite a heavy contingent of police personnel being present there. MPs assured the Sikh protesters that the minorities would be provided full security and their places of worship and holy books would be given full respect.

Condemning the attacks on Sikh places of worship, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said all places of worship should be protected and those responsible for attacking them should be punished.

The protesters dispersed saying they were satisfied. They said they are patriotic citizens of Pakistan and nobody should misinterpret their protest. Pakistan is home to about 20,000 Sikhs.

The government also set up a 13-member committee to address their grievances.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed summoned IGP, Islamabad. (With inputs from PTI)