GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: Pakistan Peoples' Party Expresses Concern Over Treatment of Christians

Minggu, 22 Mei 2016

Pakistan Peoples' Party Expresses Concern Over Treatment of Christians

By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (jeremyreynalds@gmail.com )

PAKISTAN (ANS- May 20, 2016) -- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, has expressed grave concern over the volatile situation in Mandi Bahauddin (a city in central Punjab, Pakistan) where extremist groups have been inciting violence against Christians.

According to a news release from the Center for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS-UK), he said his party would not remain silent while atrocities took place against marginalized communities. He also asked the Federal and Punjab governments to take immediate action.

In addition, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari demanded that special security be provided to Christian areas to prevent any loss of life or property.

He expressed solidarity with the minority community of Mandi Bahauddin, and assured them that his party would raise their concerns about security at every forum and not leave them alone in the face of hardship.

Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK, welcomed Bhutto's statement, and said that unfortunately the misuse of the blasphemy law continues to grow, often with devastating consequences.

He said in the news release, “False accusations often lead to attacks on churches, Christian towns and villages being set on fire, or the killing of innocent Christians, as Muslims becomes religiously emotional.

“Christians who believe the blasphemy law is the root cause of their prosecution have a long standing demand for it to be repealed, or for appropriate changes being made to it. At the very least, they want to see the introduction of safeguards to stop the ongoing misuse of the law.”

Saeed concluded, “But unfortunately, despite knowing the facts, nobody is willing to touch this law and Christians cries are falling on deaf ears.”

He further said it is the responsibility of the government, politicians and religious leadership to get together and find a solution to the growing problem.

Saeed added that statements are not enough and that something practical is desperately needed.

CLAAS-UK said that under the 18th amendment, Bilawal Bhutto can take some measures in his own province where the PPP has its own government.

CLAAS-UK is a Christian charity dedicated to helping persecuted Christians in Pakistan.

For more information visit www.claas.org.uk/who-we-are/

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Photo captions: 1) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with picture in the background of his mother, former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. (Photograph: Tapu Javeri/Newsweek Pakistan). 2) Jeremy and Elma Reynalds.

About the writer: Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter (www.joyjunction.org). He has a master’s degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is “From Destitute to Ph.D.” Additional details on the book are available at www.myhomelessjourney.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Elma. For more information please contact Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@gmail.com .