We Christians need to pray for the Christians of Pakistan. Muslims commit acts of violence against the Pakistani-Christian community with impunity. Those Christians affected by violent persecution then are subject to criminal persecution as well as the few Christians that have escaped Muslim violence. The criminal persecution is legal in Pakistan and that surrounds Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws. The Blasphemy Law is used as a false accusation tool against Christians to settle disputes between Christians and Muslims AND to cease the property of the few Christians that are owners.
Below Shamim Masih writes with the gloom Christians face in Pakistan. I can read between the lines in Shamim’s report to understand this gloom is taking a toll on him as well.
JRH 5/30/14
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Mera Qatil he mera munsif hy
(My killer is my judge)
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 5/29/2014 4:32 PM
ISLAMABAD: The threat matrix for Pakistan religious minorities has changed radically now after the Pakistan Muslim League (N) came in power. There was numerous blasphemy cases registered in the Punjab province during the rule [of the] PML-N regime in the past and the same practice [goes] on. A Christian family including children and women were burnt alive and the Christian colony was set ablaze in Gojra city in 2009. In the province of Punjab, Sangla Hill and Joseph Colony, Lahore; the same practice [was] seen, blasphemy cases were registered for their vested interests but no action is being taken against the forged complainants.
This is not the end, as soon as the PML-N government came to power in the federal [government], Islamabad slum settlements were cautioned to vacate and were considered [as] encroachment. The inhabitants [have been] there for four decades. Now officials in the capital of Punjab province, Agency, along with the police from different stations reached at the Katchi abadi [i.e. the slums] in Qaziabad and Gulshan-i-Ravi with bulldozers and excavators in the early morning. The workers began demolishing houses amid cries of women and children. The Punjab government seems in a hurry now to crush the Christians during their rule. The colony was reportedly built some 40 years ago and during the Nawaz Sharif’s first government, he then promised them that no one would force them to leave their houses. But during his rule he has lifted them all. In recent past; the Islamabad High Court’s Justice Shaoukat Aziz Siddique had directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) to clear the slum settlements from the Capital, Islamabad. Let me give you [some] Urdu poetry: Mera qatil he mira munsif hy, kia mery haq mein faisla dy ga (My killer is my judge, will he decide anything in my favor).
The case is not related to Christians only but others are suffering too. A university professor was entangled in a blasphemy case and his attorney was killed. A blasphemy case was registered against 65 protesters in his favor. Shaista Wahidi (Geo TV anchor), her TV owner and two partakers had to flee from the country due to this reason [i.e. the Blasphemy charge]. A man in a small district, Shariq pur; accused in blasphemy case was killed during his judicial investigation. A foreign national non-Muslim doctor was killed during his visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan is a country where the majority of its population is living below poverty the line. Unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and terrorism are common problems. But religious minorities face discriminatory laws and other issues as well. Christians in the country stand nowhere, if [they] live along seasonal drainage or a katchi abadi, it is considered encroachments. If [a Christian] takes a sip of water, they are considered untouchable and sent to jail for life imprisonment. [This] is the basic reason with Asia Bibi [who] has been suffering for years. Lahore High Court is hanging her case hearing with a lame-less excuse. Another pregnant woman was killed right under the nose of Lahore High Court, Lahore. The law and order situation is beyond control.
The problem with Pakistani Christians is unity. Fortunately or unfortunately; they are all born leaders and do not want to sit with others. I personally feel this is basic reason of their sufferings. During the last two decades; the Hindu minority have proven that they are the largest minority in the country. None of Christian parliamentarians has spoken even a single word for their favor in NA. There are two mummies seen who [are] always seen roaming about here and there during the session in the recent one year.
Unfortunately we don’t have any national level regular platform to highlight the issues. The national papers and private TV channels don’t give ample space for Pakistani Christians’ issues. Although there are some private TV channels running under Christian religious administration but again I would say, these people have made it family ownership and promoting their families instead raising real cause and issues Christians are facing and we can’t highlight the actual issues. Their agenda is totally different.
Religious leaders and social activists are running for their vested interests. Many Christian families are suffering in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. UNHCR is not paying heed to these asylum seekers. They have reportedly paid in hundred thousand [Blog Editor: I am unsure if Shamim is talking in terms of dollars, rupees or people] for immigration. Most of the Christians are shifting to other countries and the rest do not find any future in the country. Are we equal citizen; If not should we stand for our rights?
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
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Edited by John R. Houk
Content enclosed in brackets is from the Editor.
© Shamim Masih
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Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:
Editor: For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending to a Western Union agent in Islamabad.
FOR USD TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank: MASHREQ BANK, NEW YORK
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC: MSHQUS33
Beneficiary Bank: JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC: JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank: 70008227
Title Of a/c Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number: 405527
Intermediary Bank: MASHREQ BANK, NEW YORK
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC: MSHQUS33
Beneficiary Bank: JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC: JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank: 70008227
Title Of a/c Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number: 405527
FOR GBP TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank: MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC: MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank: JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC: JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank: 00010855
Title Of a/c Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number: 405527
IBAN # pk80jsbl9530000000405227
FOR EURO TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank: MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC: MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank: JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC: JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank: 10847
Title Of a/c Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number: 405527
IBAN # pk80jsbl9530000000405227
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