TEHRAN -- The Pakistani extremist group Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), in a statement issued yesterday, called on Iran to forgive Haq Nawaz Jhangvi, the terrorist who assassinated the director of Iran's Cultural Center in Lahore, Sadeq Ganji, on December 19, 1990.

The statement, which was signed by a number SSP leaders, added that it is the right of relatives of the victim to demand execution of the murderer, but as Prophet Mohammad (S) stated, "forgiveness is better than revenge."

"Unfortunately, some forces opposed to both Iran and Pakistan would not like to see Iran forgive Haq Nawaz," it further said.

It said SSP is ready to negotiate with Iran and Tehreek-e Ja'faria Pakistan (TJP) about terrorism and sectarian violence and even sign an accord in this regard, if Iran stops the execution of Haq Nawaz.

The statement also called on the Pakistani government to make efforts to bring about understanding and agreement between the two sides. The SSP had previously threatened that the execution of Haq Nawaz would lead to a civil war in Pakistan.

According to another report, a Shia doctor was gunned down in another gang-style religious murder in Pakistan Monday despite a massive crackdown on Sunni extremists, the Pakistani police said.

Tanveer Shah was driving to work at his clinic in Khanewal district, near the central Punjab city of Multan, when a man riding on the back of a motorcycle shot him to death.