Photo via sacred-destinations.com

Pakistani Christians get gift packs from Local Government Fund

A Christian member of the Sargodha District Council, Mr. Mushtaq Gill, who also happens to be the Chairman of Pakistani Masihi Aman Party (Pakistani Christian Peace Loving Party) has helped some 352 Christians receive gift packs comprising victuals [food supplies] to at a ceremony held at the district Council assembly hall on Tuesday, April 1, reports Sheraz Khurram Khan, special correspondent for ASSIST News Service in Pakistan.

Mushtaq got funds to the tune of Pakistani rupees 200,000 ($3,187.15 USD) released from the local government and added another Pakistani rupees,000 ($1.59337 USD) to the fund with the help of his philanthropist friends.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gill said he had a heart for serving Pakistani Christians and therefore he had got the funds released from the local government. He also thanked the District Coordination Officer (DCO), Amjad Hameed Wariach, for his cooperation in this regard.

Earlier, one of Mushtaq Gill's aides, Adil, read out the manifesto of the newly launched party called Pakistani Masihi Aman Party.

Those who addressed the ceremony included, Amjad Hameed Wariach, Mian Sultan Ranjah, Ejaz Ghouri and Chairman All Pakistan Masihi Party, Mr. Mushtaq Gill.

Sultan Ali Ranjah said during his speech that Pakistani Christians were loyal and patriotic citizens. “Pakistani Christians do not need any certificate from anyone on their being equal Pakistanis,” he said to a round of applause from Christians who had gathered there to receive their gift packs.

He said that some forces wanted to pit Pakistani Christians against Pakistani Muslims. Condemning reprinting of controversial caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in some western newspapers he said that it had hurt the sensibilities of Pakistani Muslims.

Mr. Ejaz Ghouri, who had come to attend the ceremony from the Pakistani city of Faisalabad said that he appreciated Mr. Mushtaq Gill's concern for Pakistani Christians and urged the participants of the meeting to join hands with Mr. Gill and fight for their rights from the platform of Pakistani Masihi Aman Party.

Addressing the ceremony the District Coordination Officer, Amjad Hameed Wariach appreciated Mr. Mushtaq Gill's efforts for getting the funds released. He called for setting up of “Christian Welfare Fund.” The funds, he said, would be spent for the welfare of the deprived segments of society.

Some of the recipients of gift packs told ANS that they had been waiting for hours to receive the gifts. “I am happy to receive the gift pack. My family would really be pleased to see me returning home with a gift”, said a Christian lady.

Mr. Mushtaq Gill, after the ceremony, told ANS that he had also moved an application to the board of revenue Punjab for the allotment of plots for Christians.

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[04/03/2008]

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