Plight of Pakistani Christians

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: When Church bells are ringing and you hear worship songs all around your surroundings on Sunday services, it sounds good. But it is only possible in a Christian country not in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In Pakistan, on Friday, you will find that people block the roads for Friday prayer near and around the mosques. Although it is said that mosque is not for prayer but a base for recruiting Muslim youths to engage in terrorist activities. It sounds that Pakistan has become the hub to control religious extremism and discrimination.

On the other hand, religious minorities have been targeted; colonies, villages were being burned, accused in false cases of blasphemy, victims of intimidation, forced marriages, and force conversions is seen in this country. New church buildings are restricted unconstitutional, and you cannot arrange religious gathering at your homes even. During the last few weeks; we started Sunday service at our home but our landlord asked me to stop this service because we live in Muslims surroundings. According to the report, the greatest levels of social hostilities toward religion felt in Pakistan. Social hostilities include armed conflict, terrorism, sectarian violence, harassment, intimidation or abuse motivated by religious factors. Harassment against Christian has been increased in the recent decade.

Govt Khadija Girls High School, Rawalpindi 

Government has imposed unannounced restrictions on religious minorities’ which include political restrictions, limit preaching, and construction of the new church buildings. On the other hand when a Christian is accused of blasphemy, the people of a neighborhood gather to punish the accused, burning him alive or lynching him. The police and the government have never punished such acts.

Education is basic right of every child and state is responsible to provide basic rights to every citizen. Ninety percent of the Christian girls remain uneducated and indulged in household jobs.  They are being sexually harassed and than being forced to convert to Islam. If girls from the minority go to school they face discrimination. They are not only forced to study Islamic studies but forced to do manual jobs like cleaning in the schools while other girls remain in the class rooms. Iffat Nasim headmistress of the Government Khadija Girls High School, Rawalpindi is reportedly involved in extra-educational activities by indulging the Christian students in cleaning/washing classrooms, toilets, verandas/corridors for hours and preparing burgers/buns from Muslim students for earning money for her.

Parents of the different Christians students submitted an application to District Education Officer – EDO Qazi Zahoor ul Haq, he conducted inquiry but it was not in letter and spirit rather swept under the carpet. Parents provided rotated clips and pictures even then no prompt action is being taken. The above mentioned activity not only depicts her interest in education, but also shows her discriminatory attitude towards Christian community. This is not the end; discrimination against religious minorities is seen in every walk of life in Pakistan.

Request: I want to make a documentary on the plight of the Christian women in Pakistan, please support me, if you can.