GMA calls on for peace amidst violent protests and blasphemy charges following Church attack

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UK: September 30, 2013. (PCP) The Glasgow based human rights organization Global Minorities Alliance (GMA) has called on Muslims and Christians in Pakistan to peace amidst violent protests, torture, intimidations and accusation of blasphemy laws following a national tragedy of Peshawar Church blasts last Sunday, September 22, 2013. Since last Monday Christians staged countrywide protests, chanting slogans against government’s inability to protect its minorities after at least 80 people were killed and more than 130 children, women and men were injured. The protests turned violent in all major cities of Pakistan where angry Christians blocked main roads, carrying baton, sticks and barricading roads with burning tires. The Karachi police registered a case against three men under Pakistan blasphemy laws under 298-F of Pakistan Penal code which is the lenient clause of blasphemy laws with three years’ imprisonment if found guilty. It is reported that Christian men threw stones on a mosque at Zaman Town in Korangi area of Karachi during an enraged protest demonstration. A Muslim man also died after he was hit on the head during a brawl that took place between Muslims and Christians, the police said. Nazir Ahmed, who is member of the administrative committee of Khulfai Rashideen Mosque registered a report against three Christian men named Baber, IIyas, and Robert for committing blasphemy. Mr Ahmed, alleged that the three Christians hit the names of the Caliphs with stones and sticks which is considered a major crime according to Pakistan blasphemy laws. The police official told that three men were held in police custody but later they were granted bail on Friday. A murder case has also been registered against three other men who absconded, the police said. The similar protests took place in Youhanaband, Lahore, the eastern city of Pakistan following the Church blasts. Local Pastor Benyaameen Najum told GMA on the phone that the police has harassed and tortured the protestors. Speaking to GMA on the phone the Director of Hope, a Pakistan based organization that works for Justice and Peace Naveed Asif, spoke about the anger which is seen through these protests. He said: “It is a tragic incident which has made every one of us angry and we demand that security should be provided to Christians or something more sinister will happen again” Mr Shahzad Khan, the Global Minorities Alliance’s International Director of Interfaith and Dialogue said: “Christians in Pakistan are indeed sad at loss of their loved ones and we stand in solidarity with them and condemn such brutal attacks on innocent people and demand Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif to draw up a strategy to provide security to religious places in Pakistan”. “We also need to stand together as one people, one nation and one voice to battle the forces of evil and extremism” said Mr Khan. Earlier Asyia Nasir, a member of parliament gave an emotional and thoughtful speech in the National Assembly of Pakistan following the Peshawar blasts where she demanded from the Government a judicial inquiry under Supreme Court Judge as well as called for protection of the rights of Christians

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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti

On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.

nazirbhattipcc@aol.com , pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com