Christians denounce militancy in Pakistan

By Aftab Mughal

Christians are showing solidarity in Pakistan by calling for a day of prayer and fasting as they express growing concern over the inroads of the Taliban.

On May 22, Pakistani Churches raised voice against growing militancy in the country and urged for solidarity among people of Pakistan to fight against this menace.

During a press conference in Lahore, Church leaders said, “We call upon the people of Pakistan to recognize the reality of hatred, discrimination and injustice being encouraged and propagated in the name of religion. Groups and individuals doing this should not only be condemned, but should be taken to task for the solidarity and independence of our nation.”

Speaking to the media, Catholic Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha of Lahore, who is also President of Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference, Moderator Church of Pakistan Bishop Samuel Robert Azraiah of Raiwind and Mr. Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary of National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), Catholic Church’s human rights body, said, “We express our deep concern about the present state of affairs in Pakistan. The alarming situation created by the religious extremists and militants have not only challenged the writ of the state but are definitely creating confusion about the democratic system among the people of Pakistan.”

Before the press conference the religious leaders of Catholic Church, Church of Pakistan, Salvation Army and the Executive Secretary of National Council of Churches in Pakistan joined a meeting on ‘Extremism and Religious Minorities in Pakistan,’ which was organized by NCJP to address the current situation in which people of Pakistan are facing direct threat of militancy, the government is in war with Taliban in Swat valley of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and internally displace people of the same region.

During the last few years, the religious militants (known as Taliban) have been gaining power and strength and now controlling a considerable area of NWFP. In addition, they also are penetrating into the other parts of the country. Besides that they are not only threaten to the common people along with religious minorities, especially Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.

A few months back, the Taliban were able to control the whole Swat valley, known as Switzerland of Pakistan. The government negotiated with them and on their demand Shariah law was enforced in the region. However, they violated the peace agreement with the government and tried to take control of two other adjacent districts. They had been carried out their brutal activities.

Therefore, the government once again started an operation against them. The Prime Minister Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani said the nation is at war. In the weeks’ long battle, the army has controlled some main cities of the valley. Though it is difficult to verify, the military sources say they have killed more than 1000 militates out of 4000/5000 and many are captured.

On May 23, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told the media that the troops have moved into Mingora, the main city of Swat valley. Eye witnesses confirm that the fighting in the city is intensified butt Taliban are giving tough time to the army soldier.

Due to the war in the Swat valley, people fled to Mardan and Swabi city to take refugee. According to the independent sources about 2.5 million people are displaced living in hard conditions in refugee camps.

The Church leaders show their deep concern to these displaced people and said, “Reiterating our long - standing commitment to the service and development of our country we appreciate the fact that Christian organizations and individuals are lending their support to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Malakand, Swat and other parts of NWFP as a consequence of Military operation there. We encourage them to be even more generous and steadfast in this task.”

he Church leaders on behalf of all Church announced a day of prayer and fasting on May 30, 2009 through out the country for restoration of peace and in solidarity with families / people affected by extremism / militancy.

(Spero News)