VIEW : Use public office to protect Christians' rights — Shamim Mehmood Masih
Christians, who are in a majority among the minority communities of Pakistan, are reduced to three out of 10 reserved seats in the National Assembly
Peace interventions ratio in Pakistan is always disproportional in the supply and demand. Pakistani society is gradually dipping into disharmony and going awry as demand increases and supply is less than its required level. Pakistan is unable to achieve its desired status in the comity of nations despite having good natural and human resources; the reason is that there is injustice at the heart of all its systems on all levels.
Pakistani Christians appear to have thrown some of their political support to Nawaz Sharif in the May 11 election, even although they have reason to be wary of his return to power. During the campaign Mr Sharif promised that his party would give equal rights to minorities, including Christians. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) even took the unusual step of thanking minority voters for their support. There could be an unprecedented positive change for the Christians because the way Shahbaz Sharif rehabilitated the Christian families of Joseph Colony, which was attacked by Muslims protesters in March this year, has changed their views about the PML-N. If so, the PML-N will have to overcome a history that Christians find worrisome.
During its tenure in 1990-93, the PML-N included the fundamentalist Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami in its coalition government. "We have experienced that the PML-N tried to bring Islamic laws in the country in its last ruling tenure. The majority of Christians are not optimistic about Mr Sharif's government because of their religious approach and close linkages with fundamentalist groups," said Sajid Ishaq, Central President Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Minorities' Wing.
The Taliban, in turn, have close connections with Islamic militant organisations, including the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), a banned terrorist organisation, which has been targeting minority faith groups such as Ahmedis and Shias, as well as Christians. The SSP still operates in Punjab province under a new name, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, which reportedly has struck a bargain with Mr Sharif's party for some of the PML-N seats in the Punjab provincial government.
The PML-N's history of ruling over Punjab province is marked by several episodes of anti-Christian violence. There was violence in the Shantinagar village in 1997; seven Christians were burned alive in Gojra in 2009; Christians were attacked in Khokharki, Gujranwala in 2011, and the most recent tragedy took place in Joseph Colony in 2013.
The blasphemy laws are widely criticised for being misused by Muslims trying to settle scores and extort property, but they are also popular with ordinary citizens. The blasphemy laws are one of the major causes of the Christians' troubles in Pakistan, especially in Punjab province. Basharat Khokhar, who had been falsely charged with blasphemy in 2008, does not expect Mr Sharif to change or review it now.
Albert David, Chairman Pakistan United Christian Movement, whilst commenting on the current situation said, "The mandate given to the PML-N is an opportunity for the government to bridge the widening gap between the state and Pakistani non-Muslims, especially Christians. Devising of Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring that they are followed in full by the law enforcement agencies while dealing with any case of blasphemy could be one of the many confidence building measures (CBMs). This would ensure that the law is only applied to preserve its real spirit and sanctity and not to settle personal vendettas, which at times affects people from all faiths, including Muslims. Apart from this, dealing with some of the other political issues including electoral system, a census (to determine the exact population of Christians), denationalisation of Christian institutes and revitalisation of the National Commission for Minorities could be some of the other CBMs."
"The religious-fanatics are responsible for the tense situation of Christians in Pakistan, and this has nothing to do with the government," said Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, a former MPA and social rights activist. "This is big challenge; if Mian Nawaz Sharif does not take any practical step in favour of Christians to protect them from extremists, the situation would be worse," he added.
If Mr Sharif wants to bring some changes for Pakistani Christians here are a few recommendations.
Census: Christians are the biggest minority in the country, whereas the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared them the second biggest minority. Christians live in every corner of the country while the Hindu majority lives in Sindh province. Therefore, a transparent census of the Christian population can give the exact figure.
Election not selection for the minorities: It is requested that the PML-N, while honouring its commitment, must include minorities in every walk of life and give dual voting rights to them so that they are in a position to express their will and elect their representatives. Selections of minority candidates are completely at the disposal of major political parties, which is not true representation. The PML-N has been given a heavy mandate and religious minorities stood with Mr Sharif. Thus he must draw up parameters to bring their true representation in parliament. If the PML-N does not take the initiative, it may mean that the government has given a clear message that the minorities are still not emancipated and are second grade citizens, which is demoralising and disheartening.
Equal representation in the legislative body: The Christian community in particular has been targeted and ostracised in the past. Even in the present government the representation of Christians in the National Assembly on reserved seats in not in accordance with their population. Christians, who are in a majority among the minority communities of Pakistan, are reduced to three out of 10 reserved seats in the National Assembly. Such a representation of a minority community on reserved seats at the national level has caused serious apprehension among the Christian community, who find it beyond any justification.
Restoration of the ministry of minority affairs: It sounds good that the PML-N declared Kamran Michael as Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, but he is not representing the religious minorities, neither would he be in a position to solve their issues. The Pakistan People's Party government accommodated them, creating the Ministry for National Harmony, which was merged into the Ministry for Religious Affairs. How do you think that a person who has a long beard and Muslim rigid mindset can represent other religious minorities? This may be a tough one for Mr Sharif, but it must be done if he is really serious to show his love for religious minorities as he mentioned during his election campaign. It is very important for all religions of Pakistan — whether Sikhs, Hindus, Christians or Parsis — to live in peace. Shias and Sunnis and other Muslim sects need to exist in harmony.
Denationalise Christians' institutions: Missionary schools, colleges and hospitals were nationalised during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's regime. During the Pervez Musharraf government a few institutions were denationalised. The denationalisation of the rest of the missionary schools, colleges and hospitals in Punjab province would be considered a token of goodwill towards Christians,
It is noteworthy that if the democratic process in any state has to be checked then one must look at how its minorities are treated. No society can aspire to call itself democratic if it systematically excludes specific groups from the full protection of laws, provision of equal rights and opportunities.
The writer is a human rights activist and is working as a stringer, specialising in writing about minority rights for various national and international papers
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