To International Media and Friends of the largest minority in Pakistan. A few months back was announced that appointed Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti in Pakistan shall organize an International conference to explain the status of minorities which will update to world media as to how the minorities are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan. Since the same statement made by the same minister on January 4, 2009 was not only invalid but also false, members of the largest minority, between 15 to 20 million in and around the world not only condemned the statement but also condemned the minister. Since hold such conference would mislead the international community, a group of Canadians with Pakistani origin determined to stop this false propaganda be spread around the world by this minister. It was announced by one local group that Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti had been invited by Canadian government and as such he will be guest of the Canadian government it would set this conference, would pay for it and would also provide protocol to safeguard the minister. The group initially approached the office of the Minister of Immigration Canada to inform him of the false statements made about the rights of minority in Pakistan by this Minority Minister of Pakistan. A member of the group wrote to the Office of the Immigration Minister. A blunt response was given by the Press Secretary of the Immigration Minister by saying that since the Minister is a personal friend of the Pakistani minister and nothing will change it. The objective of the group was to stop this false propaganda being spread to the international media. The group then approached GTA advisor of the minister. A meeting was set up with the staff of the minister on April 9, 2009. A senior advisor of the minister informed the group in a blank point, again, that all the arrangements had been made and there is nothing minister’s office can do to accommodate us. The spokesperson of the group then questioned the minister’s staff as to why would the group was invited if nothing was to change. We were however told to wait for a reply from the GTA advisor to the minister. Since no reply came, we filed a petition with the office of the minister and Prime Minister to have the invitation from the minister of immigration to this minister from Pakistan delayed for until sometime later. But again, no response was received from either party. Mr. Aftab Rana a Canadian with Pakistani origin and an active member of the community organized a meeting on May 9, 2009 and invited the executives of the International Christian Voice (ICV) to come forward and clarify the community on the about the visit of the Minority Minister’s false statements made on January 4, 2009 and share information about the upcoming International Conference held in Toronto on May 16, 2009 where minister is to update the international media about the equal rights being enjoyed by the minorities in Pakistan. As we all know that this statement was false because it is contrary to what the constitution of March, 1956 states. According to the constitution, no minority member can be President, Prime Minister, an Ambassador to any country in the world and head of the Armed forces, Air, Navy or ground force. Matter of factly, members of the minorities are not promoted beyond the rank of may be a Brigadier and Col. No member of the minority is allowed to set as chief Justice on the Supreme Court. Further, this minister endorsed the application of Sharia Bill into law in Swat Valley and other districts along with the government. This bill is dangerous for the minorities, especially for the Christian minority of 15 to 20 million people. The sad part is that the executive members of the ICV, failed to attend the meeting in order to iron out any misunderstandings the community members may have about the visit of the minister. Subsequently, the meeting was concluded with the decision of holding a protest rally on the occasion of the Conference on May 16, 2009. Upon learning about the protest, the executive of organizing group started a campaign of threatening members of the group holding protest rally. Mr. Aftab Rana the coordinator of the reconciliatory meeting received a phone call from organizers and was threatened by him like this. “If you are son of your father, then hold a protest, he warned.” The consequences would be severe and you and your immediate family members would be paying for it, he went on to say. On May 15, 2009, an email message was sent to another active group member from an email address: Mr. Durrani and Company, We warn you to cancel the protest you are leading against the Hon. Shahbaz Bhatti, Minority Minister. He is one of the powerful Minister under the Government of Pakistan Peoples Party. Failing to stop your activities toward Minister, your extended family members in Youngsonabad will face severe consequences. We further warn you and your followers be ready the severe consequences on the you held protest, our fighters are standby to teach you a good lesson. Khan Baba The initial venue of the conference was at the Crown Plaza Hotel located at 33 Carlson Crescent, Toronto, Ontario. M9W 6H5. The organizers of the Conference, ICV changed it to different locations at the last moment to Pearl Banquet Hall at 1638 Aimaco Drive, in Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 1V1. Due to the threats previously received from the executives of the ICV, the group holding the protest rally approached the police at 12 Division of the Peel Region Police to obtain lawful permission to hold a peaceful protest rally in front of Pearl Banquet Hall. The group was told that as per Police records; organizers have informed them of the dinner reception at Capitol Banquet Hall and nothing about Pearl Banquet Hall. They were provided with the new venue and the permission to go ahead with the rally. Due to the threatening messages, we were assured of full protocol from the police. On the morning of May 16, 2009, the group gathered in the parking lot of the Tim Horton near Pearl Banquet Hall at around 9:30 to coordinate the rally and proceeded toward the location. Large banners and individual posters were displayed by the members of the rally in a visible place across from the location of the conference. The weather was cooperating but not an excellent one for holding a rally. The members, however, stood tall with the determination to send a clear message to the visiting minority minister that he is not fit for the position due to his false statement and therefore should resign from his portfolio. The by passers cheered the rally after observing the message on the posters and banners. The guests started coming in around 10:00 and some of them walked to the protesters simply to say a friendly hello. Two of the women, who claimed to be related to the minister Shahbaz Bhatti, shouted from across the street using foul language towards the rally members. The Police officer observed her and went into the hall to deliver a warning to the organizers. Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti arrived after 11:00 AM without any entourage and was greeted by a small number mostly members of the immediate family and few guest from USA. Mr. Perez Masih, an executive and advisor chanted by saying that he is the “Leader of Christian minority in Pakistan”. It is funny to observe that they forgot the fact that he is minister for all minorities and not only represent Christians. May be the other minority members should question him when he returns to Pakistan whether he is their minister as well. If he is considered only Minister of Christians then what is the name of Minister who represent the other minorities like Sikhs and Hindus a couple to mention. I would recommend the members of APMA to question him about the chanting of such slogans. Once the minister entered the Hall, the protesters wrapped up the banners and posters and walked to their cars. The spokesperson of the group approached the Police Cars parked across the street and thanked them for their assistance in holding a peaceful and successful protest. The members of the group congratulated each other for the success of the protest rally and sending a strong message in a polite way to the visiting Minority Minister of Pakistan that the members of the largest minority in Pakistan and around the world is not happy with his performance as he has abandon them by not staying in touch with them and their sufferings. All the members of the rally sent a clear message to the minister and the message is, please resign from the job you are unfit to do. May the good lord bless us? Please pray for each other. Raymond Durrani & Associates Friends of Minorities in Pakistan