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Overseas Pakistani Christians express solidarity with minorities

Overseas Pakistani Christians who attended an International Conference in Toronto entitled “Status of Religious Minorities in Pakistan” from May 16-17, 2009 have said that appreciated the services of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti and, expressed their solidarity with oppressed and down-trodden Christians of Pakistan, reports Sheraz Khurram Khan, special correspondent for ASSIST News Service.

The two-day-long conference was hosted by the International Christians’ Voice in collaboration with American-Pakistani Christians’ coalition. The delegates of Christian organizations from the UK, USA, Spain, Italy, and from different parts of Canada, participated in the conference.

On May 16 different sessions were held to discuss the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan when Shahbaz Bhatti was the chief guest on May 16.

The speakers and the delegates discussed the problems and challenges faced by Christians and other minorities in Pakistan and gave recommendations and suggestions to address these issues.

A unanimous declaration was passed at the end of the session which said, “We unanimously support the Govt. of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for her actions to combat the militancy in the Swat valley and various other parts of Pakistan”, said the declaration.

“We commend Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gallani, for announcing a 5% quota for the Minorities in all government jobs….”

They were referring to the fact that the Pakistan Cabinet on Thursday approved five percent job quota for minorities.

The declaration called for repeal of all discriminatory laws against religious minorities.

It also underscored the need for reformation of Education system to establish progressive democratic society.

The declaration underscored the need for addressing socio-economic inequalities to enable every Pakistani have equal and fairer access to national resources.

“We welcome the Government for its announcement for addressing the unbalanced representation of Minorities in the upper and lower houses of Parliament,” said the declaration.

“We commit ourselves to work alongside all Pakistanis for restoring socio-economic justice and equal rights for all Pakistanis in line with the vision of our founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” the declaration continued.

“We pledge to continue our efforts for the prosperity and development of our Pakistan.”

On May 17, 2009, more than 400 participants representing different Christian organizations, churches and overseas Pakistani Christians from different countries including Pakistani Christians from different parts of Canada participated in the conference.

The participants of the conference expressed their solidarity with Pakistani Christians and minorities and put their trust and confidence in the leadership of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti.

The Canadian members of Parliament, representatives of international human rights organizations and the international media were also present at the conference.

The speakers and participants stressed the need for unity among minorities and expressed their concern on the discriminatory laws and issues faced by minorities in Pakistan.

They pointed out that the minorities of Pakistan contributed in the development and prosperity of Pakistan but they have not been given their rightful place.

They called for repeal of all discriminatory laws including Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. They also appreciated action of Pakistan government against Taliban and militants and extended their support to Pakistan government in her efforts to uplift and empower down-trodden minorities.

They pledged to continue making efforts for the prosperity and development of Pakistan. The participants also decided to hold this type of conference in other countries to develop unity and awareness among overseas Pakistani Christians and minorities.

The historical international Christian conference was one of its own kind. Addressing the conference Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities congratulated the organizers of the conference.

He emphasized the need for unity among overseas Pakistani Christians. He vowed to continue making sincere efforts to address the problems faced by minorities.

The Federal Minister said that all discriminatory laws were being reviewed so that they could either be repealed or amended.

He said prayer places for non-Muslim prisoners are also being established in Pakistani prisons.

The Minister said he had devoted his life for the cause of religious freedom, human equality and rights of Pakistani minorities.

The minister told the participants of the conference that he was aware and understood the problems, challenges and sufferings of the minorities “as I have spent more than 20 years in the struggle for rights of minorities”

“No temptations, privileges, perks can ever divert me from my mission”, said Shahbaz while addressing the conference.

He urged the participants of the conference to pray for Pakistan and its leadership and especially for those people who are internally displaced as a result of military operation against Taliban.

The military operation in Swat, formerly a popular tourist resort, Malakand and other troubled areas of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan has left more than 2 million people homeless.

The government of Pakistan is providing shelter and other facilities in this difficult time.

The Federal Minister said contribution of Pakistani minorities in nation-building was well-known.

The participants of the conference whole-heartedly and unanimously extended their support to the federal minister and the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) for standing with the oppressed and down-trodden minorities of Pakistan.

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TAGS: Pakistan Christians persecution Christians of Pakistan religious minorities

[05/25/2009]

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