Letter to the Chairman from the Centre
for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS)
We are very concerned about the persecution
of Christians in different parts of the Pakistan on an unprecedented
level. Christians are being harassed, intimidated and threatened
for their lives. Many Christians have fled the area and are migrating
to Punjab and other parts of the country.
We have also come to know that Christians and
other religious minorities are being asked to pay "Jizya"
the Islamic tax payable by Christians and other religious minorities,
which is not acceptable, as Pakistani Christians have played their
role in the formation of Pakistan and were assured equal rights
by the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
We would like to bring to your attention the
recent attacks on the Christian at Tessar town (Karachi). About
700 families are inhabitants, who settled in this allotted
land after eviction from the main city areas, but unfortunately
it seems that attempts are being made to evict them from here
too so that their land can be acquired by Taleban.
The incident at the Tessar town took place on
22 April, 2009 when Christians started wiping off discriminatory
and inflammatory chalking on walls, including Church walls, against
them. The writing said "Talibans are coming, Long live Taliban
and Be prepared to pay Jizya (Islamic Tax for non-Muslims) or
embrace Islam".
The attackers used firearms, they injured several
Christians, an 11 year old Irfan died whilst several residents
of the area still remain in hospital. They beat Christian men,
humiliated the women, set fire to their houses, and the holy Bible
was desecrated. It all took place in the presence of the police
but rangers were not called until later to take control of the
situation.
CLAAS have already urged the leaders of Pakistan
on several occasions that Christians should be exempted from Shariah
law but unfortunately there has been no progress on this issue.
Therefore, we would like to ask for your intervention especially
now when attempts are being made to impose Shariah Law in the
whole country.
It is the government's duty to safeguard the
rights of the citizens and protect their lives, properties and
their places of worship. Unfortunately this phenomenon of persecuting
Christians in Pakistan has been continuing for several years.
Christians are living under fear for their lives
and are enduring unspeakable violence which must come to an end.
I believe that now is the time that the government of Pakistan
should take this matter seriously to stop the ongoing persecution
at the hands of extremist groups and bring new legislation to
protect Pakistan's religious minorities. Moreover the rebuilding
of the destroyed church and houses as well as compensation of
injured and deceased Irfran's family should not be omitted.
I hope that you will use your influence and
take this matter with the Pakistani government as your priority
on the behalf of the Pakistani Christians.
30 April 2009
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