Public gathering by PTI on Christmas Day (Dec 25th) will effect the celebrations of biggest religious festival of the Christian Community Mr. Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, November 24, 2011 Respected Mr. Imran Khan, Greetings from the Centre for Human Rights Education- Pakistan We respect the right of your party to hold public gathering, however Centre for Human Rights Education and its member organizations would like to express our concerns on the selection of the “DAY” and draw your attention on the possible negative effects of the proposed Public Gathering of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf on Christmas Day (December 25th), 2011 at Karachi. a) Holding a public gathering on the Christmas Day (the biggest religious festival of the Christian Community) primarily seems the negation of the existence of the millions (at least 1.6% of Pakistan’s population) of the Christians, who has equally contributed in the creation and progress of the country despite their persecution and discrimination on the basis of religion. b) The huge public gathering normally effects the public life (roads, transportation etc.) in the country; therefore it is likely to disturb the festivity of religious event of the citizens belonging to the Christian Community and surely will divert the attention of the whole nation. c) It is also likely to deprive them from their right to participation in the political process i.e. if the members of the Christian Community want to participate in the Public Meeting of PTI, it may not be possible for them to do so. Since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is being considered as an emerging mainstream political party, therefore it should consider and recognize the multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic recognition of the Pakistani society. We recommend that the “date” of the proposed public gathering (December 25th) should be changed. We believe that this gesture of PTI shall send a positive message to the religious minorities, particularly the Christian Community. We further recommend that PTI should also announce its policy for mainstreaming the religious minorities and to arrest the discrimination and persecution against them according to the pledge made by the father of the nation of equal treatment of all the citizens regardless of religion. Thank you for your attention. Yours Sincerely, Samson Salamat, Director, Centre for Human Rights Education Names of CHRE’s Member Organizations: Taraqee Theatre for Social Change- Lahore, Humanity Support Foundation- Multan, Encourage for Human Development- Multan, Save Future of the Child Organization- Multan, AWAM- Faisalabad, Star Welfare Organization- Sargodha, Social Development Network- Sargodha, Empower Pak- Haripur, SPEED-DADU, Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum-Karachi , Insan Dost Organization- Multan , Crown Development Society-Multan, Mercy Hands-Dir Lower, Humanity First Foundation-Faisalabad, Society for Social Advancement moderation and Justice-Sukkar, Fazil Rural Development organization-Bakkar, Azat Foundation-Noshki, ADARSH-Mirpur Khas, Damaan Women Development Foundation-Rajanpur, Skill Enhancing & Research Home of the Children-Mithi, Awareness Program for Human Rights-Chitral, Sustainable Development Foundation-Sanghar, Sindhica Women Empowerment Organization-Neusharo Feroze, Al-Falah organization-Zairat Right to Play-Thatta, Goth Sudhar Sangat-DADU, Indus Development Association-Shikarpur, Association for Peace & Prosperity-Toba Tek Singh, Human Rights Forum-Mensehra, Association for Human Development-Islamabad