Brampton christens Shahbaz Bhatti Park in memory of slain Pakistani politician
Published July 25, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Brampton has paid homage to slain Pakistani politician and anti-blasphemy law activist Shahbaz Bhatti by naming a park in his honour.
Bhatti was the only Christian in Pakistan’s cabinet and the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs. He was an outspoken critic of the country’s blasphemy laws, and was assassinated in a 2011 shooting.
Some of Bhatti’s family now calls Brampton home, and the City of Brampton has honoured Bhatti’s memory by christening the new park at Davenfield Circle as Shahbaz Bhatti Park.
“He gave his life to promote a Pakistan where law, justice and freedom and equality were principles to be respected and lived,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a video statement following council’s decision to name the park after Bhatti.
The city officially unveiled the honorary park and sign bearing Bhatti’s name at a ceremony on Sunday (July 24).
Brown said in posts online that Bhatti was “a true symbol of religious freedom.”
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“We will never forget Shahbaz’s legacy, courage and sacrifice,” Brown said.
The city said that naming the park after Bhatti “honours his legacy, and serves as a reminder of the importance of interfaith harmony, acceptance and inclusivity within communities like Brampton.”
Shahbaz Bhatti Park is located at 60 Davenfield Cir.
