Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the country’s government will not tolerate violence in the name of religion and people who commit such acts will not be spared by the authorities.

Mr. Khan’s remarks came during a condolence reference held at the Prime Minister’s Office for Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara who was mercilessly lynched by a mob in Sialkot on Dec. 03 over alleged blasphemy.

Members of the federal cabinet of Pakistan also attended the event, which was held in solidarity with Kumara’s family and the Sri Lankan nation and government, the Dawn.com reported. Mr. Khan also laid a floral wreath on a portrait of Kumara.

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI laid a floral wreath on the portrait of late #PriyanthaDiawadana during
Condolence Reference held in Prime Minister Office earlier today. pic.twitter.com/xIeeN03Lul

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) December 7, 2021

Subsequently, a certificate of appreciation was also awarded to Malik Adnan — Priyantha Kumara’s colleague who had attempted to save his life when the mob was torturing him. Taking notice of Adnan’s selfless and brave attempt, PM Khan had lauded his “moral courage and bravery” on Sunday. He had also announced that Adnan would be honoured with the Tamgha-i-Shujaat.

Addressing today’s event, the Pakistani PM praised Adnan’s bravery and said that it was heartening to see that a person tried to save another by risking his own life.

Role models are important in the country because people follow them and moral power is greater than physical power, he said.

“I am sure our youth will remember the way Malik Adnan stood up against those beasts,” PM Khan added.

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI awarded a certificate of appreciation to #MalikAdnan for the valour he showed to shield #PriyanthaDiyawadana against mob in #Sialkot. pic.twitter.com/TfbiQO6OBz

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) December 7, 2021

He also expressed regret over the fact that people resorting to killing others in the name of religion. “If someone accuses a person of blasphemy, the victim rots in jail and no lawyer or authority comes to his defence to see what actually transpired. Everyone is afraid of it. In fact, lawyers do not come forward and judges also refuse to listen to the cases.”

Commenting on the Dec 2014 attack on the Army Public School Peshawar, PM Khan said that the horrific incident had united the nation which had resolved to end terrorism. “After the Sialkot incident, the whole nation has decided that we will not let such a thing happen again.”

The Pakistani PM said that the business community in Sialkot had informed him that they had collected USD 100,000 million for Kumara and that his family would continue to receive his monthly salary.

PM Khan added that he had established the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority so that the entire nation could follow in the footsteps of Holy Prophet and so that the ulema could spread his teachings.

“But we are heading in a different direction,” he said as he called on the nation to read up on the life of the Holy Prophet. “Our country is the only one that was built in the name of Islam. But this incident has brought us embarrassment,” he said further.

“People who are based overseas do not know what Islam is, and they distance themselves from the religion after seeing such incidents take place.”

PM Khan also said that the Sialkot tragedy was highlighted in India in an effort to defame Pakistan. “Their TV programmes called this incident a routine occurrence in Pakistan, which is unjust,” he said, adding that he would not allow such incidents to happen as long as he was alive.

Concluding his speech, the premier once again paid tribute to Adnan. “It was painful to see what the mob did [to Kumara]. But seeing Adnan restored our faith in humanity.”

He added that Adnan would be given the Tamgha-i-Shujaat on March 23.

A mob of hundreds of protestors, including the employees of the factory Kumara was the manager of, had tortured him to death on Friday and later burnt his body over blasphemy allegations.

A first information report was registered against 900 workers of Rajco Industries on the application of Uggoki Station House Officer (SHO) Armaghan Maqt under Sections 302, 297, 201, 427, 431, 157, 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7 and 11WW of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The incident was followed by national outrage across the country, which led to calls and reassurances for retribution and justice from government officials. Kumara’s remains were repatriated to Sri Lanka on Monday with state honours.

In videos of the incident shared on social media, Malik Adnan was seen trying to calm the mob down and later shielded Kumara when the matter escalated, but in vain. The workers overpowered Adnan and dragged the Sri Lankan national out on the road.

-With inputs from Dawn.com