ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
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Sunday, August 2, 2009
Police First Information Report lodged against perpetrators of August 1 violence after intervention of Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities
-- Pakistan President announces 500,000 Pakistani Rupees for families of each victim and 300,000 Pakistani Rupees for each of those whose houses have been destroyed.
By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
GOJRA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A Police First Information Report (FIR) was lodged on August 2 (Sunday) against the perpetrators of an August 1 tragedy that resulted in killing of some 8 Pakistani Christians. The FIR was submitted after intervention by Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti who joined Christian protesters on Sunday while they were demanding that the FIR be lodged against the culprits by placing dead bodies on Railway tracks.
District Coordination Officer Toba Tek Singh, Imran Sikander and District Police Officer, Inkasar Khan were named in the Police FIR, along with 19 others and some 800 unidentified people.
Angry Christians had been demanding lodging of the FIR since August 1 but authorities were employing dilly-dallying tactics.
Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti made it clear to the local administration that he would not leave Gojra if the police report was not lodged against those responsible for August 1 violence.
The minister left Gojra after reading the FIR and later addressed a press conference in which he condemned recent incidents of violence against Pakistani Christians.
Talking to Christian protesters, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti said that government would take notice of those who have incited the people to launch attack against Christians. He maintained that the culprits of August 1 violence would be arrested and they would be meted out punishment according to law.
“We will protect lives and properties of Pakistani Christians. We won’t allow anyone to damage dignity and honour of our Christian brethren”, vowed Mr. Bhatti.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had asked Mr. Bhatti to go to Gojra to express solidarity with Christians and convey his message to them that the President equally shared Christians’ grief.
Mr. Bhatti said that President Asif Ali had directed the police to arrest culprits. He quoted Mr. Zardari as saying that he would ensure rehabilitation of affected Christians and would ensure that they get justice.
“ We will not allow anyone to practice religious extremism”, Mr. Bhatti quoted Mr. Zardari as saying.
Pakistan President announced 500,000 Pakistani Rupees for each of the families of victims and 300,000 Pakistani Rupees for those whose houses have been destroyed during August 1 violence.
Pakistani Christians of Gojra, a Tehsil (administrative division) of district Toba Tek Singh of Province Punjab buried some eight Christians late on Sunday night at 11:00 pm after lodging of the FIR.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has announced 500,000 Pakistani rupees (US $6,038.65) for each of the families of the deceased of the August 1 tragedy. Angry Christians wanted the Chief Minister to visit them but he failed to turn up on August 2. According to unconfirmed reports, the Chief Minister is expected to visit affected Christians of Gojra on August 3 (Monday).
Condemning violence against Pakistani Christians on August 1, Sohail Johnson the Chief Coordinator of the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP) and Professor Anjum James Paul, Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association (APMTA) and Chief of Social Harmony and Development of Women (SHADOW) have demanded the government to arrest perpetrators of July 30 and August 1 violence against innocent Christians.
Mr. Johnson termed the August 1 attack on Christians of Gojra as "brutal". He said that Muslim mob numbering 1500 to 2000 set 50 Christians' houses on fire. Talking to ANS by phone Mr. Johnson said: “Religious militancy is on the rise. The menace of fanaticism which was earlier restricted to the hardline Islamist groups is now fast spreading among common Muslims, which is a worrisome trend for religious minorities including Pakistani Christians.
“The government of Pakistan should repeal blasphemy laws because their widespread abuse has rendered Pakistani minorities highly insecure. It was painful to witness dead bodies of innocent Christian women, children and men who lost their lives during August 1 tragedy".
Mr. Johnson termed blasphemy accusation on two Christians of Korian village as baseless, fallacious, concocted and fabricated. He said that the Christian community across Pakistan is in a grip of fear and uncertainty in the wake of August 1 tragedy. He disclosed that the Muslim mob attacked three Churches in Gojra. “The entire building of an independent Church in the area has been reduced to ashes. Another Church in the area has suffered extensive damage while the third Church has also sustained damage as a result of August 1 attack."
Depicting the general mood of Pakistani Christians as one of disappointment, anger and insecurity, Mr. Sohail said that the recent attacks on Pakistani Christians have only deepened the sense of deprivation among them. He quoted a Christian affectee of Gojra as saying that only Christian residents of Gojra can tell what is hell like as we have recently suffered one.
Mr. Johnson said the affected Christians were still without food and shelter. He said water is being supplied to the affected Christians through a water can "but this is not sufficient for people during relentless summer weather."
SLMP's field officer, Shahzad Kamran apprised ANS that the Christian residents of Gojra have been protesting against the brutal attack by beating their chests. “There is a wave of anger among the Christian residents". After being subjected to worst kind of attacks the Christian residents of Gojra have started demanding a separate province in the country, Shahzad Kamran told ANS.
Giving details on how the attacking Muslims orchestrated August 1 attack, Mr. Shahzad Kamran said that there were three militant groups among the angry Muslim mob. One group sprayed a volley of bullets on Christians. The other group entered the Christians' houses to plunder. The third militant group tossed a bottle or a bag in the air which was then shot by rifles by the group members to set ablaze houses. The chemical used to torch houses was so inflammable that it blew up roofs of houses, reducing most of them to ashes.
Mr. Kamran came down hard on partial coverage made by some media organizations. He said absence of substantial coverage by mainstream print and electronic media of the country has only honed sense of discrimination among Pakistani Christians. Criticizing police's apathetic attitude towards Pakistani Christians on August 1, he said they acted as silent spectators and let the mob play havoc with the lives and properties of the Christians.
" They could have fired aerial shots or used shelling to disperse the crowd. They rather let angry mob wreak violence on innocent Christian," said Shahzad Kamran.
Asked why the Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif failed to visit the scene of incident until today (August 2), Mr. Kamran said the absence of the Chief Minister's appearance until now speaks of his apathy towards Pakistani Christians.
Talking to ANS by phone the Chairman of All Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association (APMTA) said that the Christian residents of Gojra protested for some 32 hours. “ They blocked the road and placed dead bodies on railway tracks at one point during protest,” he said.
Mr. Anjum said that the Christian residents of Korian who had fled from their houses after some 500 strong Muslim mob set their houses on fire on July 30 have not returned to their homes yet.
Scenes of July 30 violence in Korian village
"The government should not play with the sentiments of Christians.
"On the one hand government wants Pakistani minorities to observe August 11 as "Minority Day" and on the other hand the Christians have been made refugees in their own country.
"How could one even think of this worst kind of violence against minorities even in the 21st century? We can lay down our lives for our country but we cannot allow extremists and militants to kills us".
Mr. Anjum asked if Christians had been given “An Independence Day Gift" in the shape of August 1 violence. He maintained that the Christians of Pakistan in the past have been forgiving of the perpetrators of the violence against them but "how long we would continue to forgive culprits", he argued.
He said the unscrupulous and provocative statements made by the hardline Muslim clerics from the mosques incited Muslims to launch attack against Christians. “They (Muslim clerics) called Christians 'dogs' and instigated the Muslims to kill them (Christians).
“
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Persecution report of Gojra incident
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
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Saturday, August 1, 2009
Eight Pakistani Christians burned to death as Muslims torched 50 houses
-- Local Christians have refused to bury dead until Punjab Chief Minister visits them
-- Pakistan Provincial Law Minister blames violence and killings on Police apathy
By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
GOJRA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- In a fresh incident of violence by hardline Muslims against Pakistani Christians at least eight Christians have been burned alive and many others injured as a Muslim mob estimated to be over 1500 in number set ablaze some fifty houses in a Christian colony in district Gojra of the province Punjab of Pakistan over blasphemy accusations on Saturday, August 1.
ANS has discovered that Muslims were protesting in Gojra city against blasphemy committed by Talib Masih and his son Imran Masih. Gojra is Tehsil (administrative division) of district Toba Tek Singh.
The Muslim agitation took an ugly turn when the Muslim mob which was armed with firearms and chemical explosives started marching towards the Christian colony in Gojra.
The Christian residents of the colony fled to safety and some took to the rooftops. As on the attack that took place on July 30 in Korian the Muslim mob set ablaze fifty houses in the Christian colony by using petrol and chemical bombs. The fire engulfed eight Christians including four women, a man, a child and two other persons whose identities could not be ascertained by ANS.
Hameed Masih, Safia Bibi, Hanifa Bibi and Asia are among the eight killed.
ANS has also discovered that Muslims and Christians traded aerial firing of rifles after Muslims launched the attack on Christians of Gojra. The Muslim mob plundered and ransacked over a hundred Christian houses before setting them on fire. The attack created a serious law and order situation in the area, prompting closure of petrol pumps and train services.
Television footage showed baton-wielding crowds running through the streets, blocking traffic and a railway line. Ransacked furniture lay outside blackened and burning homes, while a group of people rushed a man with burn injuries on a wooden hand-pulled cart through the streets.
Sources told ANS that the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Faisalabad, Tahir Hussain Regional Police Officer, Ahmad Raza Tahir arrived at the scene of incident. The Inspector General of Police Punjab has suspended the Deputy Superintendent of the Police for failing to prevent this attack. Tehsil (administrative division) Municipal Officer, Rana Muhammad Nawaz suffered injuries during August 1 violence. Five Police officials also sustained injuries during the attack. A TV cameraman, Rasheed Anjum of AAJ TV was allegedly beaten by the police when he refused to stop covering the ghastly scenes of violence on August 1.
Talking to ANS by phone Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti has vehemently condemned the latest attack on Christians of Gojra. " This is a sad and condemnable act of violence. We equally share the grief and sorrow with Christian community who have been targeted by extremists.
" The inquiry would be held at the top level to unmask perpetrators of Gojra and Korian village violence. The culprits would be arrested.
" This is yet another example of how the blasphemy laws are playing havoc with the lives of innocent Christians of Pakistan. Blasphemy laws are against the inter-faith harmony and national unity as they are being used by religious extremists to persecute and victimize religious minorities.
" This violence could have been averted if the local administration had taken stringent measures to protect the lives and properties of Christians.
" An inquiry would also be held against the administration's negligence in this matter. Pakistani minorities should forge unity in their ranks. They should pursue justice while remaining peaceful," said Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mr. Bhatti termed the latest incident of violence against Pakistani Christians as an attempt to hamper the peace-building efforts to promote inter-faith harmony and national unity.
ANS has learned that the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, a leading umbrella representative organization of all religious minorities of Pakistan is going to stage protest demonstrations across the country to press the authorities to arrest perpetrators of Korian village and Gojra violence on July 31 and August 1 respectively. Protest demonstration against worst kind of attacks on innocent Pakistani Christians are going to be held in Pakistani cities of Lahore, Faisalabad and Sargodha on August 2 (Sunday). Sources in the APMA ranks confided in ANS that the protest demonstrations would continue until perpetrators of violence against Christians are arrested.
Catholic Bishop Joseph Coutts along with some Catholic priests including Director of Faisalabad Diocese's Commission for Interfaith Harmony, Fr. Aftab James Paul, Fr. Pascal Paulus and Fr. Nisar Barkat visited the affected Christians and expressed solidarity with them. Bishop Joseph Coutts condemned the incident and appealed to the government to bring the culprits to justice. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have also condemned fresh incident of violence against Christians of Gojra.
Pakistan Provincial Law Minister of Province Punjab, Rana Sanaullah also joined the chorus of condemnation. Condemning back-to-back incidents of violence against Pakistani Christians the Minister reportedly said that the police did not play proactive role to avert the attacks which they were supposed to do. He further said in his statement that the attacks against Muslims were launched after rumours that Christians have committed blasphemy. According to media reports Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Shahbaz Sharif has said that those who have taken law into their own hands would be meted out strict punishment. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has reportedly said that the Inquiry Commission would probe into the attacks against Christians.
ANS has discovered that the affected Christians are without food, water, electricity and shelter. The situation in the area is tense and the Christians are in a state of fear and uncertainty. Security of Churches across Province Punjab in General and in district Toba Tek Singh has been put on high alert to avert any further possible eventuality. Rangers have been called in to control the law and order situation.
Some 200 Christian families lived in the colony that came under fresh Muslim attack on August 1. Pakistan High Court has taken Suo Moto action in the wake of fresh attack on Christians.
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Eight Pakistani Christians burned to death as Muslims torched 50 houses
-- Local Christians have refused to bury dead until Punjab Chief Minister visits them
-- Pakistan Provincial Law Minister blames violence and killings on Police apathy
By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
GOJRA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- In a fresh incident of violence by hardline Muslims against Pakistani Christians at least eight Christians have been burned alive and many others injured as a Muslim mob estimated to be over 1500 in number set ablaze some fifty houses in a Christian colony in district Gojra of the province Punjab of Pakistan over blasphemy accusations on Saturday, August 1.
ANS has discovered that Muslims were protesting in Gojra city against blasphemy committed by Talib Masih and his son Imran Masih. Gojra is Tehsil (administrative division) of district Toba Tek Singh.
The Muslim agitation took an ugly turn when the Muslim mob which was armed with firearms and chemical explosives started marching towards the Christian colony in Gojra.
The Christian residents of the colony fled to safety and some took to the rooftops. As on the attack that took place on July 30 in Korian the Muslim mob set ablaze fifty houses in the Christian colony by using petrol and chemical bombs. The fire engulfed eight Christians including four women, a man, a child and two other persons whose identities could not be ascertained by ANS.
Hameed Masih, Safia Bibi, Hanifa Bibi and Asia are among the eight killed.
ANS has also discovered that Muslims and Christians traded aerial firing of rifles after Muslims launched the attack on Christians of Gojra. The Muslim mob plundered and ransacked over a hundred Christian houses before setting them on fire. The attack created a serious law and order situation in the area, prompting closure of petrol pumps and train services.
Television footage showed baton-wielding crowds running through the streets, blocking traffic and a railway line. Ransacked furniture lay outside blackened and burning homes, while a group of people rushed a man with burn injuries on a wooden hand-pulled cart through the streets.
Sources told ANS that the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Faisalabad, Tahir Hussain Regional Police Officer, Ahmad Raza Tahir arrived at the scene of incident. The Inspector General of Police Punjab has suspended the Deputy Superintendent of the Police for failing to prevent this attack. Tehsil (administrative division) Municipal Officer, Rana Muhammad Nawaz suffered injuries during August 1 violence. Five Police officials also sustained injuries during the attack. A TV cameraman, Rasheed Anjum of AAJ TV was allegedly beaten by the police when he refused to stop covering the ghastly scenes of violence on August 1.
Talking to ANS by phone Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti has vehemently condemned the latest attack on Christians of Gojra. " This is a sad and condemnable act of violence. We equally share the grief and sorrow with Christian community who have been targeted by extremists.
" The inquiry would be held at the top level to unmask perpetrators of Gojra and Korian village violence. The culprits would be arrested.
" This is yet another example of how the blasphemy laws are playing havoc with the lives of innocent Christians of Pakistan. Blasphemy laws are against the inter-faith harmony and national unity as they are being used by religious extremists to persecute and victimize religious minorities.
" This violence could have been averted if the local administration had taken stringent measures to protect the lives and properties of Christians.
" An inquiry would also be held against the administration's negligence in this matter. Pakistani minorities should forge unity in their ranks. They should pursue justice while remaining peaceful," said Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mr. Bhatti termed the latest incident of violence against Pakistani Christians as an attempt to hamper the peace-building efforts to promote inter-faith harmony and national unity.
ANS has learned that the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, a leading umbrella representative organization of all religious minorities of Pakistan is going to stage protest demonstrations across the country to press the authorities to arrest perpetrators of Korian village and Gojra violence on July 31 and August 1 respectively. Protest demonstration against worst kind of attacks on innocent Pakistani Christians are going to be held in Pakistani cities of Lahore, Faisalabad and Sargodha on August 2 (Sunday). Sources in the APMA ranks confided in ANS that the protest demonstrations would continue until perpetrators of violence against Christians are arrested.
Catholic Bishop Joseph Coutts along with some Catholic priests including Director of Faisalabad Diocese's Commission for Interfaith Harmony, Fr. Aftab James Paul, Fr. Pascal Paulus and Fr. Nisar Barkat visited the affected Christians and expressed solidarity with them. Bishop Joseph Coutts condemned the incident and appealed to the government to bring the culprits to justice. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have also condemned fresh incident of violence against Christians of Gojra.
Pakistan Provincial Law Minister of Province Punjab, Rana Sanaullah also joined the chorus of condemnation. Condemning back-to-back incidents of violence against Pakistani Christians the Minister reportedly said that the police did not play proactive role to avert the attacks which they were supposed to do. He further said in his statement that the attacks against Muslims were launched after rumours that Christians have committed blasphemy. According to media reports Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Shahbaz Sharif has said that those who have taken law into their own hands would be meted out strict punishment. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has reportedly said that the Inquiry Commission would probe into the attacks against Christians.
ANS has discovered that the affected Christians are without food, water, electricity and shelter. The situation in the area is tense and the Christians are in a state of fear and uncertainty. Security of Churches across Province Punjab in General and in district Toba Tek Singh has been put on high alert to avert any further possible eventuality. Rangers have been called in to control the law and order situation.
Some 200 Christian families lived in the colony that came under fresh Muslim attack on August 1. Pakistan High Court has taken Suo Moto action in the wake of fresh attack on Christians.
News report of Korian incident
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Friday, July 31, 2009
60 Christian houses in Pakistan reduced to ashes by chemical bombs over blasphemy accusation
Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities condemns violence, while some Christian villagers are missing after July 30 attack
By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
TOBA TEK SINGH, GOJRA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- In another shocking display of violence in Pakistan, Islamists set ablaze some 60 Christian houses in Korian village in Toba Tek Singh district on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at 9:00 pm Pakistan time after a blasphemy accusation was leveled against a young Christian boy, Imran Masih, and his father Talib Masih.
A house torched by Muslims
Eye-witnesses told ANS they could still see plumes of smoke rising from some houses of the village today (Friday, July 31.)
The trouble began for the Christian residents of Korian when Talib, a Christian vendor ignorantly brought home a piece of paper that had Quranic verses written on it, along with some other rough papers.
Talib's children innocently ripped apart the paper not understanding its contents.
When some local Muslims found the torn pieces of paper, the anti-Christian hostility spread like a wildfire in the village.
Imran, one of the blasphemy-accused
Living up to their reputation of penalizing so-called “blasphemers”, local Muslim clerics accused the father and son of committing blasphemy and made inflammatory statements against the blasphemy-accused and incited Muslim residents of Korian and adjoining villages to attack the Christians of the village to avenge alleged blasphemy.
Some 500 Muslims from nearby villages of 95, 97 and 362 (J.B), who were armed with firearms and explosives, attacked the Christians of the village. The Christian residents fled to safety as Muslim clerics announced their verdict to “kill the blasphemers.”
The chemical used by the Muslim mob to set fire to Christian houses was so inflammable that it utterly destroyed the targeted houses. The Muslim mob also took away Christians' cattle with them.
On hearing of the incident, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities, rushed to the scene and ordered the police and local administration to arrest the culprits.
Talking to ANS from the village Korian, the Minister termed the attack as a “heinous crime” against Christians.
Mr. Bhatti went on to say, “It is a worst act of violence against minorities. The perpetrators, instigators and attackers should be arrested for actions against the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“We will protect the lives and properties of minorities and the Christian community. We won't allow any miscreant or extremist to target our Christian brethren.
“Pakistani minorities are not conquered subjects or a sacred trust of anyone. They have same dignity and honor in this country as anyone else. We will protect their honor and respect.”
Criticizing Pakistan's controversial blasphemy Laws, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti said that the laws are being “widely misused to victimize minorities and innocent people of Pakistan.”
This law, he said is a “tool in the hands of the extremists and miscreants to harass the minorities and settle personal scores.”
Mr. Bhatti apprised ANS that a judicial inquiry has been ordered to look into this case and the culprits “would be charged.”
He went on to say, “The blasphemy laws need to be either amended or repealed. A Pakistani Christian, or any other member of minority communities, cannot commit blasphemy.”
Bhatti has been at the forefront in the campaign for the repeal of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. In the month of July, the minister stated that he would table a bill in Pakistan's national assembly for the repeal of “all discriminatory laws.”
The Minister visited the homes of affected Christians and expressed solidarity with them. He also addressed a gathering of local Christians held in the Church of Pakistan in Korian.
Mr. Bhatti also chaired a meeting later and directed the local administration and the police to take stringent measures aimed at protecting the lives and properties of minorities.
According to media reports, Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pakistan Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, have also condemned the July 30 violence against Christians.
Sohail Johnson, the Chief Coordinator of the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP)who arrived in the village with his team on July 31, has strongly condemned the incident and appealed to the government to ensure the protection of lives and properties of Pakistani Christians.
Pointing to the rising incidence of blasphemy-related violence he said that at one time “we would hear of blasphemy accusations earlier in years and months, but now it is happening in weeks and days.”
Johnson said that he witnessed heart-rending scenes adding, “I wonder what will become of the Christians of Pakistan.”
He said the local Christians were in a “state of fear and uncertainty,” and Johnson called upon government to “play its role in defusing extremism.”
He urged the international community to pray for the Christians of Pakistan and cited a local Christian Councilor, Finias, as saying that some young Christian girls are also missing from the village. He dismissed reports suggesting that there have been casualties or injuries in the wake of July 30 violence in Korian.
A scene of the July 30 destruction
Sohail Johnson further told ANS that the Muslim mob also attacked the New Apostolic Church and the Church of Pakistan in the village. He said the Muslim mob had “desecrated and ransacked the churches.”
He also cited the District Coordination Officer, Raja Abbas, as saying that “nobody has committed blasphemy in the village.”
The Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Teachers Association (APMTA) and head of Social Harmony and Development of Women (SHADOW), Professor Anjum, who was present in the village along with his fact-finding team that also included Dr. Amjad Aftab, Saith Munawar and Daniel Sohotra, told ANS that he could still see “fire raging in some houses.”
He said that the fire “had done extensive damage to the houses and properties of the Christian residents” of Korian.
Condemning the incident, he said that the perpetrators of fresh violence against Christians should be dealt with an iron first.
Professor Anjum told ANS that three Christian men -- Riaz Masih, Salamat Masih and Faryad Masih -- who had come to visit their relatives namely Liaqat and Ishfaq, were missing after July 30 attack against Christian villagers of Korian.
Anjum also visited a Christian woman called Hanifa, who told him that her five daughters were missing since the July 30 attack. Describing the extent of damage done to the Christian residents of the village by the Muslim invaders, the Chairman of the APMTA said that the Muslim mob “plundered and ransacked the Christians' houses before setting them ablaze.”
He added, “They took away with them all valuables including TVs and water pumps.”
He described blasphemy-accused Talib's house as a scene of “utter destruction.”
He quoted Talib and Imran's family as saying that the invaders had “badly manhandled” Talib and Imran before destroying their house. He said Muslim mob also burnt and desecrated pages of Bible and The Lord's Prayer.
Mr. Kamran Michael, The Provincial Minister of Minorities and Human Rights of Punjab Province, described the July 30 violence as a “national tragedy.”
He called upon Christians to “forge unity at this critical juncture.” Mr. Michael said that the incident had occurred due to the “negligence and apathy of local and district administration.”
This latest incident is just one of many that have occurred in recent times in Pakistan.
Angry Muslims set ablaze some 100 Christian houses in Bhamniwala village which falls in district Kasur near the eastern city of Lahore on June 30.
Michael in his statement announced financial assistance for the Christian villagers who have been rendered homeless in the wake of July 30th violence. He also vowed to work for the welfare of the affected Christians.
“We stand by the Christians of the village at this critical time,” he said in a statement.
Pervez Rafiaque, a member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly Punjab and also a member of the Central Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), also condemned the incident and assured of APMA's fullest support and cooperation to the affected Christians.
Another member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Joel Aamir Sohatra, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, said in their statements that they would stand by the Christians during this difficult time.
Samuel Qamar, a former Councilor, said that the Christians of Gojra, a Tehsil (administrative division) of district of Toba Tek Singh could “afford to be martyred because of their faith” but they would not be “intimidated by such cowardly acts of extremism.”
Reacting to the fresh incident of violence against Pakistani Christians, Mr. Joseph Francis, the National Director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLASS), has said that the July 30 attack on Christian residents of Korian has “reopened wounds” of Christians which they suffered in the wake of 1997 attack on Shantinagar, a Christian village, as well as it has brought back “tragic memories” of Muslim violence in Christian villages of Bhamniwala and Sangla Hill.
One of the 60 houses set ablaze by Muslims
“This is the fourth biggest blasphemy-related incident of violence in seven months of this year,” Mr. Francis said, and pointed out the Christians were being subjected to atrocities, whose ancestors “had polled a casting vote for the creation of Pakistan.”
The Director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Fr. Manni, said that the perpetrators of the July 30 incident should be brought to book.
“How much longer can such incidents continue to happen?” he questioned.
The Rt. Rev. John Samuel, Bishop of the Church of Pakistan (Diocese of Faisalabad,) also issued a statement in which he condemned the incident.
The Rev. Yaqoob Khushi, a Curate at St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Norwood, South London, also condemned Muslim attack against Pakistani Christian villagers. He cited an “escalation in fanaticism” as a cause behind the fresh incident of violence. He expressed solidarity with the affected Christians. He appealed to Pakistani authorities to launch a serious probe into the incident and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.
Barkat Masih, 76 a local resident equated the July 30 brutal attack to the direct affront to the Christian faith.
“Is it fair to subject Pakistani Christians to this attack when the people of Pakistan are going to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan next month,” he argued. Pakistan rose on the map on August 14, 1947.
The Director of Faisalabad Diocese's commission for Interfaith Harmony, Fr. Aftab James Paul, in his condemnation statement said that the incident was “reminiscent of the brutal attacks people were subjected to in the age of darkness and ignorance.”
He added, “I fail to understand why the miscreants should force Pakistani Christians to flee from their homes in which they have been living even before creation of Pakistan.”
He described the setting ablaze of Christian’s houses as a “blatant violation of Pakistan's constitution” as well as a “violation of the United Nations Declaration on Human rights.”
He added, “A handful of miscreants behind this dastardly act of violence should be dealt strictly and no lenience should be extended to them.”
Arslan Bhatti, a local media man, described the situation in the village as “tense.” He said the Christians have taken shelter in a local Church in the wake of July 30 incident. He said the law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the area to avert any possible “untoward eventuality.”
Zaheer Babar of the Christian Strategic Initiative (CSI) told ANS that when his team had arrived at the scene of incident, “all houses of Christians were burnt during the July 30 attack.” He added that the Christians of the village managed to escape from the fire. He claimed that the CSI team helped fleeing Christians to go to their relatives’ houses and gave them some money and arranged the transport for them. The CSI team, he said, also provided them water bottles because there was no water for drink.
The CSI spokesperson said that many of the Christians have been robbed of their livestock.
“Rehabilitation is required urgently because nothing is left behind for these poor innocent people," said Babar.
Friday, July 31, 2009
60 Christian houses in Pakistan reduced to ashes by chemical bombs over blasphemy accusation
Pakistan Federal Minister for Minorities condemns violence, while some Christian villagers are missing after July 30 attack
By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
TOBA TEK SINGH, GOJRA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- In another shocking display of violence in Pakistan, Islamists set ablaze some 60 Christian houses in Korian village in Toba Tek Singh district on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at 9:00 pm Pakistan time after a blasphemy accusation was leveled against a young Christian boy, Imran Masih, and his father Talib Masih.
A house torched by Muslims
Eye-witnesses told ANS they could still see plumes of smoke rising from some houses of the village today (Friday, July 31.)
The trouble began for the Christian residents of Korian when Talib, a Christian vendor ignorantly brought home a piece of paper that had Quranic verses written on it, along with some other rough papers.
Talib's children innocently ripped apart the paper not understanding its contents.
When some local Muslims found the torn pieces of paper, the anti-Christian hostility spread like a wildfire in the village.
Imran, one of the blasphemy-accused
Living up to their reputation of penalizing so-called “blasphemers”, local Muslim clerics accused the father and son of committing blasphemy and made inflammatory statements against the blasphemy-accused and incited Muslim residents of Korian and adjoining villages to attack the Christians of the village to avenge alleged blasphemy.
Some 500 Muslims from nearby villages of 95, 97 and 362 (J.B), who were armed with firearms and explosives, attacked the Christians of the village. The Christian residents fled to safety as Muslim clerics announced their verdict to “kill the blasphemers.”
The chemical used by the Muslim mob to set fire to Christian houses was so inflammable that it utterly destroyed the targeted houses. The Muslim mob also took away Christians' cattle with them.
On hearing of the incident, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities, rushed to the scene and ordered the police and local administration to arrest the culprits.
Talking to ANS from the village Korian, the Minister termed the attack as a “heinous crime” against Christians.
Mr. Bhatti went on to say, “It is a worst act of violence against minorities. The perpetrators, instigators and attackers should be arrested for actions against the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“We will protect the lives and properties of minorities and the Christian community. We won't allow any miscreant or extremist to target our Christian brethren.
“Pakistani minorities are not conquered subjects or a sacred trust of anyone. They have same dignity and honor in this country as anyone else. We will protect their honor and respect.”
Criticizing Pakistan's controversial blasphemy Laws, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti said that the laws are being “widely misused to victimize minorities and innocent people of Pakistan.”
This law, he said is a “tool in the hands of the extremists and miscreants to harass the minorities and settle personal scores.”
Mr. Bhatti apprised ANS that a judicial inquiry has been ordered to look into this case and the culprits “would be charged.”
He went on to say, “The blasphemy laws need to be either amended or repealed. A Pakistani Christian, or any other member of minority communities, cannot commit blasphemy.”
Bhatti has been at the forefront in the campaign for the repeal of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. In the month of July, the minister stated that he would table a bill in Pakistan's national assembly for the repeal of “all discriminatory laws.”
The Minister visited the homes of affected Christians and expressed solidarity with them. He also addressed a gathering of local Christians held in the Church of Pakistan in Korian.
Mr. Bhatti also chaired a meeting later and directed the local administration and the police to take stringent measures aimed at protecting the lives and properties of minorities.
According to media reports, Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pakistan Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, have also condemned the July 30 violence against Christians.
Sohail Johnson, the Chief Coordinator of the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP)who arrived in the village with his team on July 31, has strongly condemned the incident and appealed to the government to ensure the protection of lives and properties of Pakistani Christians.
Pointing to the rising incidence of blasphemy-related violence he said that at one time “we would hear of blasphemy accusations earlier in years and months, but now it is happening in weeks and days.”
Johnson said that he witnessed heart-rending scenes adding, “I wonder what will become of the Christians of Pakistan.”
He said the local Christians were in a “state of fear and uncertainty,” and Johnson called upon government to “play its role in defusing extremism.”
He urged the international community to pray for the Christians of Pakistan and cited a local Christian Councilor, Finias, as saying that some young Christian girls are also missing from the village. He dismissed reports suggesting that there have been casualties or injuries in the wake of July 30 violence in Korian.
A scene of the July 30 destruction
Sohail Johnson further told ANS that the Muslim mob also attacked the New Apostolic Church and the Church of Pakistan in the village. He said the Muslim mob had “desecrated and ransacked the churches.”
He also cited the District Coordination Officer, Raja Abbas, as saying that “nobody has committed blasphemy in the village.”
The Chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Teachers Association (APMTA) and head of Social Harmony and Development of Women (SHADOW), Professor Anjum, who was present in the village along with his fact-finding team that also included Dr. Amjad Aftab, Saith Munawar and Daniel Sohotra, told ANS that he could still see “fire raging in some houses.”
He said that the fire “had done extensive damage to the houses and properties of the Christian residents” of Korian.
Condemning the incident, he said that the perpetrators of fresh violence against Christians should be dealt with an iron first.
Professor Anjum told ANS that three Christian men -- Riaz Masih, Salamat Masih and Faryad Masih -- who had come to visit their relatives namely Liaqat and Ishfaq, were missing after July 30 attack against Christian villagers of Korian.
Anjum also visited a Christian woman called Hanifa, who told him that her five daughters were missing since the July 30 attack. Describing the extent of damage done to the Christian residents of the village by the Muslim invaders, the Chairman of the APMTA said that the Muslim mob “plundered and ransacked the Christians' houses before setting them ablaze.”
He added, “They took away with them all valuables including TVs and water pumps.”
He described blasphemy-accused Talib's house as a scene of “utter destruction.”
He quoted Talib and Imran's family as saying that the invaders had “badly manhandled” Talib and Imran before destroying their house. He said Muslim mob also burnt and desecrated pages of Bible and The Lord's Prayer.
Mr. Kamran Michael, The Provincial Minister of Minorities and Human Rights of Punjab Province, described the July 30 violence as a “national tragedy.”
He called upon Christians to “forge unity at this critical juncture.” Mr. Michael said that the incident had occurred due to the “negligence and apathy of local and district administration.”
This latest incident is just one of many that have occurred in recent times in Pakistan.
Angry Muslims set ablaze some 100 Christian houses in Bhamniwala village which falls in district Kasur near the eastern city of Lahore on June 30.
Michael in his statement announced financial assistance for the Christian villagers who have been rendered homeless in the wake of July 30th violence. He also vowed to work for the welfare of the affected Christians.
“We stand by the Christians of the village at this critical time,” he said in a statement.
Pervez Rafiaque, a member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly Punjab and also a member of the Central Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), also condemned the incident and assured of APMA's fullest support and cooperation to the affected Christians.
Another member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Joel Aamir Sohatra, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, said in their statements that they would stand by the Christians during this difficult time.
Samuel Qamar, a former Councilor, said that the Christians of Gojra, a Tehsil (administrative division) of district of Toba Tek Singh could “afford to be martyred because of their faith” but they would not be “intimidated by such cowardly acts of extremism.”
Reacting to the fresh incident of violence against Pakistani Christians, Mr. Joseph Francis, the National Director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLASS), has said that the July 30 attack on Christian residents of Korian has “reopened wounds” of Christians which they suffered in the wake of 1997 attack on Shantinagar, a Christian village, as well as it has brought back “tragic memories” of Muslim violence in Christian villages of Bhamniwala and Sangla Hill.
One of the 60 houses set ablaze by Muslims
“This is the fourth biggest blasphemy-related incident of violence in seven months of this year,” Mr. Francis said, and pointed out the Christians were being subjected to atrocities, whose ancestors “had polled a casting vote for the creation of Pakistan.”
The Director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Fr. Manni, said that the perpetrators of the July 30 incident should be brought to book.
“How much longer can such incidents continue to happen?” he questioned.
The Rt. Rev. John Samuel, Bishop of the Church of Pakistan (Diocese of Faisalabad,) also issued a statement in which he condemned the incident.
The Rev. Yaqoob Khushi, a Curate at St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Norwood, South London, also condemned Muslim attack against Pakistani Christian villagers. He cited an “escalation in fanaticism” as a cause behind the fresh incident of violence. He expressed solidarity with the affected Christians. He appealed to Pakistani authorities to launch a serious probe into the incident and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.
Barkat Masih, 76 a local resident equated the July 30 brutal attack to the direct affront to the Christian faith.
“Is it fair to subject Pakistani Christians to this attack when the people of Pakistan are going to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan next month,” he argued. Pakistan rose on the map on August 14, 1947.
The Director of Faisalabad Diocese's commission for Interfaith Harmony, Fr. Aftab James Paul, in his condemnation statement said that the incident was “reminiscent of the brutal attacks people were subjected to in the age of darkness and ignorance.”
He added, “I fail to understand why the miscreants should force Pakistani Christians to flee from their homes in which they have been living even before creation of Pakistan.”
He described the setting ablaze of Christian’s houses as a “blatant violation of Pakistan's constitution” as well as a “violation of the United Nations Declaration on Human rights.”
He added, “A handful of miscreants behind this dastardly act of violence should be dealt strictly and no lenience should be extended to them.”
Arslan Bhatti, a local media man, described the situation in the village as “tense.” He said the Christians have taken shelter in a local Church in the wake of July 30 incident. He said the law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the area to avert any possible “untoward eventuality.”
Zaheer Babar of the Christian Strategic Initiative (CSI) told ANS that when his team had arrived at the scene of incident, “all houses of Christians were burnt during the July 30 attack.” He added that the Christians of the village managed to escape from the fire. He claimed that the CSI team helped fleeing Christians to go to their relatives’ houses and gave them some money and arranged the transport for them. The CSI team, he said, also provided them water bottles because there was no water for drink.
The CSI spokesperson said that many of the Christians have been robbed of their livestock.
“Rehabilitation is required urgently because nothing is left behind for these poor innocent people," said Babar.
CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN AND MINORITIES
CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN AND MINORITIES
Written by: Professor Anjum James Paul
Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan describes” All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.”
Constitution of any state is a sacred book and it is for the entire nation. It is without any bias, prejudice or discrimination against any individual, caste, gender or religion etc. There cannot be discrimination with any citizen on any basis. Unfortunately constitutions in Pakistan have been formulated against the vision of the father of the nation the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The vision that he presented in the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947.There was no need of to promote the concept of two nation theory that is why he negated it and promoted nationalism in maiden address. It is sorry that his masterpiece address could not become a blue print for the Pakistani nation by some certain conspiracies. He very clearly said. “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State………Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State. “
On August 1, 2009 in Gojra when I saw the dead bodies of Musa 4, Ummaya 9, Asiya 22, Asifa 30,Akhlas Hameed 42,Perveen 50 and Hameed Masih who were set on fire and gave their in the hands of the terrorists just because they were Christians. They were all innocent children, men and women who were put to death without any crime. 68 houses were looted and burnt to ashes including seven precious lives. Local administration and police was just seeing this all but was unable to take any action against the extremists and terrorists. Only a day before on July 30, 2009 sixty four houses were first looted and then burnt to ashes. There was desecration of the Holy Bibles and the Christian literature. People in both of the places flee to escape their lives. It is very easy to excuse and assure that such incidents will not take place in future. Three such incidents took place only in two months in the province of Punjab which has become the most insecure province in Pakistan for Christians as the tragic incidents of Shanti Nagar 1997, Sangla Hill 2005, Bahmniwala 2009 and these most recent terrorist attacks have shaken the entire world when innocent people were burnt in Pakistan. Unfortunately all these incidents have taken place when there has been regime of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) or (Quaid-e-Azam).
According to the minorities, Constitution of Pakistan has failed to provide them shelter, protection and equal status as it has been declared an Islamic state that promotes only Islamic teachings and values. Islamic Ideology Council, Federal Shariat Court (FSC). Articles 29, 30, 33, 36, 37 and 40 include the need for Muslim children to be provided instructions in Islamiyat to enable them to develop themselves. National education policies are formulated keeping in mind the majority religion and minorities are kept aside in consultation and writing of the textbooks. There are biases and propagation against the minority religions and their civilizations in the textbooks and reason is simply that there is intolerance, unacceptability and violation of human rights. There is disrespect of the followers of the other religions. Their Holy Books are disrespected openly in the textbooks. Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education has admitted in a letter to the Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) that there are biases in the Pakistani textbooks. PMTA has rejected the new discriminatory education policy 2009.Students of the minorities have to face many hardships in acquiring education. There is discrimination of 20 marks of Nazra (reciting the holy Quran by heart) and students of minorities are failed to get admission in higher education due to these discriminatory marks. These students can take examination directly for grade 8 after passing grade 5 examination. They are fully exempted to pay the tuition fee at college level as notified by the government. The role of minorities is not mentioned deliberately in the textbooks though they have played vital role in the creation and construction of Pakistan. During the assembly in the public educational institutions there is sermon and recitation of a particular religion while students of other religions are there too. Sense of segregation and inferiority complex is promoted in minorities’ studentsthem and most recent example is of celebrating the “Minority Day”. Instead of providing equal rights to them according to the address of the father of the nation they are denied of their rights. Spirit of the Quaid is in unrest due to the celebration of this day. Minorities demand equal citizenship of Pakistan but instead of their genuine demand they are segregated by this act which has never been their demand. There is not sanctity of their marriages. They are mostly offered menial jobs and are treated as untouchables. There are discriminatory articles and sections in the Constitution of Pakistan which violate fundamental rights. They are deprived of to take oath as the president, prime minister and speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. There are reserved seats for the Muslim clerics in the Senate but minorities have been totally deprived of their right. Government says that there is 5% representation of minorities in the Senate if it is so then why not is there proper representation. There are only two female senators nominated by PPP and PML (Q). Reserved seats of the minorities have not been increased in the national and provincial assemblies but on the other hand seats of the Muslims have been increased many times. Minorities have been demanding for the right of double votes but they are denied of it and instead political parties select their favorite persons who do not represent their respective communities. They simply play in the hands of those parties which has caused serious damages to their communities. The building of the national assembly draws attention of a particular religion outside. There is prayer service before the commencement of the session of the assemblies and Senate while representatives of other religions are also present there.
After all of this brief discussion can we still say” All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” If “yes” then it is great fraud. So, let us all be united as a nation throwing away all the above mentioned discriminations and biases in the Arabian Sea making Pakistan a real paradise on earth.
Written by: Professor Anjum James Paul
Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan describes” All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.”
Constitution of any state is a sacred book and it is for the entire nation. It is without any bias, prejudice or discrimination against any individual, caste, gender or religion etc. There cannot be discrimination with any citizen on any basis. Unfortunately constitutions in Pakistan have been formulated against the vision of the father of the nation the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The vision that he presented in the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947.There was no need of to promote the concept of two nation theory that is why he negated it and promoted nationalism in maiden address. It is sorry that his masterpiece address could not become a blue print for the Pakistani nation by some certain conspiracies. He very clearly said. “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State………Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State. “
On August 1, 2009 in Gojra when I saw the dead bodies of Musa 4, Ummaya 9, Asiya 22, Asifa 30,Akhlas Hameed 42,Perveen 50 and Hameed Masih who were set on fire and gave their in the hands of the terrorists just because they were Christians. They were all innocent children, men and women who were put to death without any crime. 68 houses were looted and burnt to ashes including seven precious lives. Local administration and police was just seeing this all but was unable to take any action against the extremists and terrorists. Only a day before on July 30, 2009 sixty four houses were first looted and then burnt to ashes. There was desecration of the Holy Bibles and the Christian literature. People in both of the places flee to escape their lives. It is very easy to excuse and assure that such incidents will not take place in future. Three such incidents took place only in two months in the province of Punjab which has become the most insecure province in Pakistan for Christians as the tragic incidents of Shanti Nagar 1997, Sangla Hill 2005, Bahmniwala 2009 and these most recent terrorist attacks have shaken the entire world when innocent people were burnt in Pakistan. Unfortunately all these incidents have taken place when there has been regime of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) or (Quaid-e-Azam).
According to the minorities, Constitution of Pakistan has failed to provide them shelter, protection and equal status as it has been declared an Islamic state that promotes only Islamic teachings and values. Islamic Ideology Council, Federal Shariat Court (FSC). Articles 29, 30, 33, 36, 37 and 40 include the need for Muslim children to be provided instructions in Islamiyat to enable them to develop themselves. National education policies are formulated keeping in mind the majority religion and minorities are kept aside in consultation and writing of the textbooks. There are biases and propagation against the minority religions and their civilizations in the textbooks and reason is simply that there is intolerance, unacceptability and violation of human rights. There is disrespect of the followers of the other religions. Their Holy Books are disrespected openly in the textbooks. Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education has admitted in a letter to the Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) that there are biases in the Pakistani textbooks. PMTA has rejected the new discriminatory education policy 2009.Students of the minorities have to face many hardships in acquiring education. There is discrimination of 20 marks of Nazra (reciting the holy Quran by heart) and students of minorities are failed to get admission in higher education due to these discriminatory marks. These students can take examination directly for grade 8 after passing grade 5 examination. They are fully exempted to pay the tuition fee at college level as notified by the government. The role of minorities is not mentioned deliberately in the textbooks though they have played vital role in the creation and construction of Pakistan. During the assembly in the public educational institutions there is sermon and recitation of a particular religion while students of other religions are there too. Sense of segregation and inferiority complex is promoted in minorities’ studentsthem and most recent example is of celebrating the “Minority Day”. Instead of providing equal rights to them according to the address of the father of the nation they are denied of their rights. Spirit of the Quaid is in unrest due to the celebration of this day. Minorities demand equal citizenship of Pakistan but instead of their genuine demand they are segregated by this act which has never been their demand. There is not sanctity of their marriages. They are mostly offered menial jobs and are treated as untouchables. There are discriminatory articles and sections in the Constitution of Pakistan which violate fundamental rights. They are deprived of to take oath as the president, prime minister and speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. There are reserved seats for the Muslim clerics in the Senate but minorities have been totally deprived of their right. Government says that there is 5% representation of minorities in the Senate if it is so then why not is there proper representation. There are only two female senators nominated by PPP and PML (Q). Reserved seats of the minorities have not been increased in the national and provincial assemblies but on the other hand seats of the Muslims have been increased many times. Minorities have been demanding for the right of double votes but they are denied of it and instead political parties select their favorite persons who do not represent their respective communities. They simply play in the hands of those parties which has caused serious damages to their communities. The building of the national assembly draws attention of a particular religion outside. There is prayer service before the commencement of the session of the assemblies and Senate while representatives of other religions are also present there.
After all of this brief discussion can we still say” All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” If “yes” then it is great fraud. So, let us all be united as a nation throwing away all the above mentioned discriminations and biases in the Arabian Sea making Pakistan a real paradise on earth.
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