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Water is not a commodity like oil; Miguel Brockmann |
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Turkey: March 20, 2009. ( Bobby Ramakant for PCP) The President of the United Nations General Assembly has told delegates at the 5th World Water Forum (WWF) in Istanbul, Turkey, that, "those who are committed to the privatization of water, making it a commodity like oil, are denying people a human right as basic as the air we breathe."
In a speech delivered by his senior advisor on water Maude Barlow, UN president Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann said, "We must work quickly to guarantee that access to drinking water constitutes a fundamental right of all peoples..."
"Water belongs to the people, to the ecosystem and the species and it belongs to the future" had said Maude Barlow earlier this week in Istanbul.
Ms Barlow, who is also the national chairperson of the Council of Canadians, delivered the president's message to the People's Water Forum, a counter-forum being held by hundreds of civil society members from nearly 70 countries whose voices have not been at the WWF. The speech was later released to the World Water Forum, which is being attended by 20,000 delegates from 150 countries.
The UN president also questioned the legitimacy of the forum itself. His speech stated, "The forum's orientation is profoundly influenced by private water companies. This is evident by the fact that both the president of the World Water Council and the alternate president are deeply involved with provision of private, for-profit, water services."
He added that future forums should, "conduct their deliberations under the auspices of the United Nations."
D'Escoto Brockmann also criticized the World Water Forum's draft Ministerial Declaration, which sees water as a "human need" rather than a human right. He said, "As it stands, this important statement undermines the efforts of those who are struggling for access to clean water and sanitation."
"Global water justice movement advocates welcome this being the last World Water Forum in its present format," adds Barlow. "There is an urgent need for an accountable and legitimate global water forum to be held regularly to address the grave threats facing our blue planet."
Earlier last week, a group of 118 organizations from 33 countries had signed and issued a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that calls on him to withdraw his support for the 'CEO Water Mandate', a corporate driven water initiative under the 'UN Global Compact' that facilitates corporate control of water resources. Representatives of the letter's signatories had delivered a copy of the letter to the Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact, Gavin Power at the 5th World Water Forum.
The CEO Water Mandate's leading endorsers currently include water bottlers Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Pepsi, as well as Suez, one of the world's largest privatizers of water services and systems.
"All of these corporations have a vested interest in controlling water resources and profiting from water scarcity, so there is a great danger in leaving international water policy in such hands," said Richard Girard, researcher for the Polaris Institute.
"Those who are dealing with corporate control of water's manifold downsides – water takings, water shut-offs, price hikes, short cuts on water treatment – are people deeply affected by the water crisis and corporations' actions," said Mark Hays from Corporate Accountability International. "Yet these same people, who are going thirsty, don't have a true voice at these meetings – their voices need to be heard, and they should be in the drivers' seat."
The Global Water justice Movement activists are calling on the United Nations to take the lead in creating transparent, democratic space to decide international water policy. But to date, the UN continues to be in a contradictory position by, on the one hand, raising awareness about the world water crisis and calling for needed change, and on the other housing the CEO Water Mandate. Groups like the Polaris Institute and Corporate Accountability International are challenging the CEO Mandate because it allows corporations to undermine democratic control of water under the aegis of the United Nations.
- Bobby Ramakant, Citizen News Service (CNS)
(The author is a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General’s WNTD Awardee (2008) and writes extensively on health and development. Email: bobbyramakant@yahoo.com) |
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Chak Shehzad effected shall burn tents and house holds in protest on July 29: J Salik |
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Islamabad: July 29, 2009. (PCP report) We shall wait seven days for taking “Suo-Motu action” by honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan to resolve our problems and rehabilitation of effected families back to Chak Shehzad, other wise we will come back in a rally on Tuesday 28th July and next day on 29th we shall burn out our tents and other house holds in protest. It was announced by ex Federal minister Julius Salik, addressing a rally here in D-Square near Parliament Complex.
On 62nd day of struggle for rehabilitation of Effectees of Chak Shehzad Brutal Police Action a rally “Injustice Rally” was organized by World Minorities Alliance. Hundreds of men and women were carrying place cards having portrait of Chief Justice of Pakistan with slogan “Injustice with Minorities . . . Why?” When a jumbo size banner was also in the procession having all details of injustice by CDA with contract workers and about their demand for minimum salary of Rs.8500/=. There was heavy number of police at D-Square with bar bade wire to stop the rally. At this point participants stopped and several women and children kissed the barbed wire to symbolic that even they have been stopped to go near the Supreme Court buildings still they love their beloved country.
Addressing rally Julius Salik said that we came to get justice from the supreme court of the country but Chief Justice could not remove this barricade from our way to the highest forum of Justice. We fought for democracy and now when we are in democratic era, we are facing these barbed wires, he said. Taking about representation of minorities in parliament Julius Salik said we the minority people don’t accept selection system we need election of our representation in Parliament.
Julius Salik was carrying a huge iron scale from one side and Mrs. Marry Salik from the other side when leading the rally. They put that scale on barricade and said that they will wait seven days for taking “somoto action” by honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan to resolve our problems and rehabilitation of effected families back to Chak Shehzad, other wise they will come back in a rally on Tuesday 28th July and next day on 29th we shall burn out our tents and other house holds in protest. It was announced by former Federal minister Julius Salik, addressing a rally here in D-Square near Parliament Complex. |
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Nazir Bhatti to speak on Human Rights Day News Conference |
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December 10, 2009, 12:30 p.m., National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW 13th Floor, Washington, DC
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Event Type: News Conference
Sponsored by: Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Event Location: Zenger Room
Details: Human rights activists discuss importance of religious, racial, ethnic, and gender equality and liberty on "Human Rights Day," addressing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Please join us at the National Press Club for a thought-provoking briefing and panel discussion that will address threats to universal human rights from ideologies that seek to deny both human equality and liberty.
The speakers will focus special attention on human rights challenges to women and children. Emphasis will be on increased individual responsibility in defending universal human rights as a shared social priority.
Panelists will include:
* Jeffrey Imm, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), on women's and children's rights, the dual challenge of religious supremacism and freedom, the challenges to human liberty by totalitarian ideologies, and growing challenges to racial equality by supremacists
* Dr. Nazir Bhatti, Pakistan Christian Congress, on Pakistan's blasphemy law, threats, attacks, and killings of Christian religious minorities in Pakistan
* Ashraf Ramelah, The Voice of the Copts, on the suppression of Christian religious minorities in Egypt, including kidnapping and forced conversion of Coptic Christian women and girls
* Lisa Tao, Falun Dafa (Falun Gong), on human rights atrocities against the Falun Gong over the past 10 years in Communist China (in Chinese with English Interpreter).
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has support in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Europe for the mission of renewed focus on national and international policies designed for consistent support of our universal human rights. The press conference will be a part of other international public outreach events on December 10, Human Rights Day. Jeffrey Imm has spoken at the George Washington University's Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) on the challenge of the ideology of Islamic supremacism, which was reportedly attended by Fort Hood attack suspect Major Nidal Hasan. |
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Pakistani Christians reject claim of Acting President of Pakistan “Minorities enjoying equal rights” |
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Karachi: March 4, 2010. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC said that 20 million Pakistani Christians are treated as 2nd class citizen in Pakistan and claims made by Acting President of Pakistan Farooq H Naik in a meeting with Swedish Ambassador that minorities in Pakistan are enjoying equal rights are not true.
The Article 2 of constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan undermines equal rights to religious minorities in Pakistan. Article 41 (2) and Islamic provisions are contrary to fundamental rights guaranteed in Article 9-21 of constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Moreover, Article 203 D, section 298, 298 B, 295 B and 295 C of PPC, Law of Evidence and Compensation and Hadood Ordinance make Pakistani Christians 2nd or 3rd class citizens in state.
Nazir Bhatti said “5% Quota to minorities is not proportional to our population and Mr. Farooq H Naik, Acting President of Pakistan must note complains of Christian youth that this quota of job is being sold by parliamentarians and heavy bribes are demanded by bureaucracy”
“Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have always demanded election of Christian parliamentarians not selection by Muslim political groups because selection under Joint Electorate is undemocratic and negation to equal basic rights. In such circumstances, if government of Pakistan awards few seats in Senate of Pakistan, it will be addition in number of seats of Muslim political group nor representation to Christians in Senate” said Nazir Bhatti
“We demand dual voting rights that Christian may elect their representatives in National Assembly of Pakistan, Senate of Pakistan and provincial Assemblies and may also vote to candidates of Muslim political groups in respective constituencies“ added Nazir S Bhatti
Commenting of formation of separate Minority Ministry by Farooq H Naik, Pakistan Christian Congress President said “Shahbaz Bhatti is powerless Federal Minority Minister and can not walk out of Islamabad without orders of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Gillani because he is selected by PPP not elected by Christian voters. Shahbaz Bhatti have less authority than any peon of federal secretariats”
Dr. Nazir S Bhatt paid homage to Swedish Ambassador in Pakistan Ulrika Sundberg on raising minorities issues in his meeting with President of Pakistan and urged all foreign missions in Pakistan to raise Christian issues with government of Pakistan in their formal meetings.
Nazir S Bhatti invited attention of Acting President of Pakistan on violence against Christians on pretext to blasphemy law, killing of 12 years old Christian girl Shazia Bashir, rapes and abduction of Christian women, enforced conversion of Christian girls and false cases of riots against victims of Muslim mob attacks in Korian, Gojra, Bahminwala, Karachi and Gujranwala.
“Mr. Acting President ensure justice for 20 million Pakistani Christians and start with justice for Shazia Bashir who was raped and killed in home of one influential Muslim attorney in Lahore and government of Punjab changed medical reports to safe a culprit” said Nazir Bhatti |
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Canada wants a peaceful resolution of Kashmir |
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Toronto: March 20, 2009. (PCP) Canada takes the issue of a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue very seriously and it regularly presses India to respect human rights of Kashmiris, says Canada’s Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon.
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a letter thanked Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), for his letter to the Prime Minister concerning the unresolved Kashmir issue and India’s failure to live up to its promise of a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister Cannon says: “The Government of Canada takes the issue of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kashmir very seriously and continues to encourage the governments of India and Pakistan to move forward with the ongoing Composite Dialogue process, focussed upon the resolution of key issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.” He added, “Canada also engages in dialogue with like-minded partners to promote sustainable peace in South Asia, including with the members of the G8.”
On the issue of systematic human rights abuses against civilians in Kashmir, Honourable Cannon writes, “your [PJF’s] letter also addresses reports of egregious violations of human rights in Kashmir. Through the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, Canada has established an ongoing dialogue with the Government of India on human rights issues.” He assured that “Canada regularly presses India to ensure that human rights, including the rights of Kashmiris, are respected...”
Minister Cannon concludes with further assurance, “please be assured that we will continue to engage with the Government of India in this regard.” |
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4 Christians injured in attack of PPP activists in Sindh |
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Kotri: July 27, 2009. (Abbas Kassar reports for PCP) : Residents of Christian Colony Sikendarabad held protest demonstration here on Sunday against attack on their colony in which 4 persons were injured and forcible occupation of their colony primary school by attackers and demanded protection to their community.
The demonstration was led by Dr. Emanuel Shahzad who told this scribe that more than 1200 homes of Christians were living at Christian Colony Sikendarabad near Kotri since before creation of Pakistan.
He said that land of Christian colony was donated by late MNA Malik Sikendar for residential purpose to Christians. He said that government had granted primary school and dispensary for their colony which was inaugurated by formed MPA Javed Micheal in 2005.
He said that some days back few persons Javed Shana, Wazir Khunharo, Amir Khunharo, Fida Khunharo, and other armed men who claim to be members of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party attacked the Christian Colony with iron sticks and Dandas beat the residents of colony in which 4 Christians Imdad Masih, Waris Masih, Riaz Masih and Asif Masih were brutally injured.
He said that injured were taken to Taluka hospital Kotri. He said that attack was made in presence of police who did not move to save the Christians and rather protected assailants who took control of primary school building and threw children out of it. He said they brought whole incident to notice of District Coordination Officer and District Police but they did not take any action and school still remains under the control of assailants. He said that when police failed to take action against the attackers, they have now started to threaten them of death. He said the Christians of this colony numbering more than 6000 were passing nights and days under threats and were feeling danger to their lives. He also said that whenever any Christian goes out of colony he is beaten by the Ghundas who are keeping watch on them. He said Javed Shana who is notorious with many cases against him on various police stations but police fails to take action against him. He demanded action against the assailants, recovery of primary schools from clutches of Ghundas and to providing protection to Christian community.
To a question Dr. Emanuel said that federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti who represents Christians in government cannot help them because when in past they approached to him for help his reply was that he belongs to Punjab so cannot come to their help. He said that the terrorists were roaming around Christian
colony with arms and they might kidnap their women folk or kill their men. |
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Human rights Groups in America ask Barak Obama to stress religious freedom in talks with Indian Prime Minister |
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WASHINGTON: November 27, 2009. (Jochanj) Several human rights groups in America have asked the president Obama to pressurize the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh to include religious freedom in discussions between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister is on an official state visit to America.
In a letter addressed to the President the United States Commission on International Religious FreedomFreedom (USCIRF) counseled the President to speak to the prime minister on the “culture of impunity for perpetrators of violence against religious groups in India, and to prevent future incidents of sectarian violence against religious minorities.”
Manmohan Singh reached Washington on Sunday for a four day visit as the state guest of the president. There is also a delegation with the prime minister to hold bilateral talks between the countries. It is expected that the largest democracies in the world would discuss terrorism, nuclear disarmament, environment and climate change, and the global economic recession.
The USCIRF Chief Leonard Leo in his letter dated on Nov. 20 states, "India is the world’s largest democracy and home to a multitude of religious communities that have historically coexisted peacefully; however, the Indian government has failed to bring the perpetrators and instigators of sectarian violence to justice."
Amnesty International urged the US president to “candidly’ address the human rights violation in India and ask the Prime Minister to improve the situation “substantively”, in their meeting. Larry CoxLarry Cox the Amnesty International Executive Director wrote in his Nov. 18 letter, “While you discuss economic cooperation and civilian nuclear partnership with the Indian Prime Minister, it is vital that you also raise human rights concerns affecting millions of Indian citizens.”
The letter strongly suggest that the President should include human rights violations in India as a point for discussion, saying. “Amnesty International strongly urges you to include human rights concerns in India in your joint communiqué with Prime Minister Singh and to address human rights concerns during your joint press conference.” It further states, “Mr. President, we urge you not to miss this opportunity to speak for those whose rights have been violated in India. They need your help.”
Pointing out the Kandhamal Violence last year in Orissa, the USCIRF said, “Many thousands of accusations against alleged perpetrators in the aftermath of this violence, and to date there have been few convictions.” The USCIRF points a finger at the ruling Congress party as well saying that the party had been talking a lot about peace and religious pluralism in India,"its words have not translated into actions to protect religious freedom throughout the country."
The letter by USCIRF signs off the letter with the words, "As you noted in your remarks last January on the fifty-eighth anniversary of Indian democracy, the United States and India have a shared belief in ‘democracy, liberty, pluralism and religious tolerance’. Therefore, in the spirit of partnership, we encourage you to raise these issues with Prime Minister Singh."
Voices for Freedom, another human rights group also have submitted a memorandum to the President to take up the matter with Mr. Manmohan Singh the Indian Prime Minister |
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Punjab government orders re-investigation of Korian and Gojra Muslim mob attacks |
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Faisalabad: March 5, 2010. (Shahid Anwar) On the directives of Rana Sanaullah, Provincial Law Minister, Punjab, an investigation into Korian and Gojra attacks had been restarted in January 2010, because complainants were not contented with pervious investigations. He deputed Mr. Yousaf Ali Hurl, Senior Superintendent of Police, SSP-Faisalabad, for supervising said investigation. In Gojra case, SSP recorded about 45 statements of complainant party and 30 statements of accused party for declaring their innocence. In Korian case, he recorded about 5 statements of aggrieved party and 46 statements of aggressors for claiming themselves as innocent. The next hearing of said investigation will be heard on 8th March 2010.
Update Gojra and Korian attacks:
BRIEF HISTORY OF INCIDENT:
On the evening of 30th July 2009, a mob attacked Christian community on the accusation of alleged blasphemy by Mukhtar Masih, Talib Masih and his son Imran Masih of village Korian (7km from Gojra), District Toba Tek Singh. During the violent attacks, armed mob torched 57 homes of Christians, looted their belongings and desecrated the churches and religious books. In reaction to alleged desecration of the Holy Quran in Korian Village, another mob attacked Christian Colony in Gojra city on 1st August 2009. They burnt down 68 houses and killed 7 Christians including three women and two children, plundered their belongings and ransacked churches. Afterwards, separate cases were registered against hundred of attackers involved in both cases.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), Faisalabad is legally pursuing both the cases. The recent developments in said cases are as follows:
GOJRA CASE:
On 2nd March 2010, 42 accused of Gojra attacks were produced before Judge of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad, including 6 detained accused and 36 were those who are on bail. These 42 accused will be re-produced before court on 16th March 2010 for charge frame. The police has already declared 47 accused as fugitive; those were nominated in FIR (First Information Report) and supplementary statements by complainant and witnesses.
KORIAN CASE:
On 2nd March 2010, 54 accused of Korian attacks were produced before Judge of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad, including 8 detained accused and 46 were those who are on bail. These 54 accused will be re-appeared before court on 16th March 2010 for charge frame. The police has already announced 49 accused as absconder. |
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Bilawal Bhutto in Larkana: Arrangement underway for Shaheed Bhutto anniversary. |
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LARKANA: March25, 2009. (Nazir Siyal for PCP) Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the son of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto arrived Wednesday accompanied by Provincial Home Minister Dr. Zulfikar Mirza and Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durani and his University colleagues reached Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto. He visited mother’s grave and laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha on the Mazars of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto later the grand father Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid visits to the various parts of Larkana city and reviewed the on going development work and new roads of VIP, Station Road, Jinnah Bagh Chowk road, Bunder Road, drainage schemes and others.
Bilawal also purchased oranges and other fruits and paid 1000 to cart pusher (seller) moreover he also purchased Sindhi Ajrak and paid 2000 to shopkeeper on the occasion.
DCO Larkana Muhammad Jaffar Abbasi, Muhammad Anwar
Bhutto and other PPP leaders briefed about the city and development work in Larkana and arrangements of 30th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on April 4.
Before this, Chairman PPP Bilawal also visited the SZABIST Larkana along with his University/College friends and he expressed satisfaction over the education and development schemes in Larkana.
The District Coordination officer Larkana Muhammad Jaffar Abbasi presided over a meeting regarding arrangements of 30th death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on 4th April 2009 at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The meeting reviewed and discussed in detail regarding the facilities which will be provided to take people who
will come from all over the country on April 4th 2009, the meeting was informed that the parking for vehicles will be provided on the selected spot on the day.
The drinking water, accommodation facilities will also be provided to the people. The reception camps for male and
female will be installed at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto. During the meeting the representative of DPO Larkana informed the meeting that the strict security measurers will be adopted surrounding the Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto. The ladies force will also be deployed for providing security to ladies who will come at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The police force will be increase in order to control on traffic from Garhi Khuda Bux to Naudero. The food will also be provided to people on the occasion.
The meeting was also informed that the seeting for 10 lacs peoples will be arranged at the main pindal where PPP leaders will address the public meeting and informed regarding the achievements of Shaheed ZA Bhutto and will rich tributes to Shaheed Quaid.
The street light will be ensured at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and its surrounding roads, the
stand by generators will also be made available on the occasion, it was also informed the meeting that all the restaurants and rest houses of Larkana will also be booked for the people who come to attend 30th death anniversary of Shaheed ZA Bhutto. During the meeting the EDO works & services, EDO Health, MS CMC Hospital Larkana, EDO/DO Revenur, SE provincial Highways, XEN WAPDA (HESCO) Larkana and heads of various Nation building departments assured the meeting that all arrangements
will be completed by March 30th 2009. |
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Christian have no true representation in assemblies |
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Islamabad: July 27, 2009. (PCP) Former President Gen. Pervez Musharaf introduced a system for minority’s representation in assembly by selection instead of election, because it was in dictator’s personal interest. Which was injustice to minorities as well as dangerous for democratic sprit. It is our bad luck that present democratic government is also stepping on the same foot prints of dictator’s path. Minorities especially Christians are facing dire situation because puppets are sitting in assembly claiming as their representatives, said by Julius Salik when he was addressing during a protest here in Green Park of National Press Club.
J Salik, Convener World Minorities Alliance spent hours under the shadow of a big “scale of injustice”. Hundreds of women and men from kachi abadies of city participated in protest; they were chanting slogans “We want Justice!” Julius salik wearing black dress fell unconscious due to hot weather.
Christians are struggling for rehabilitation of their fellow effectees of 18th may Police action since last 69 days when government quarters are keeping silence in this matter. Julis Salik showed very deep concern for this situation and said that it’s a shameful attitude for a democratic government. He was sad to say that an old Christian man was hit by tear gas during that brutal police action and later he passed away. J Salik asked that why not a FIR being launched against the responsible officials for his death or murder, only because he was a poor Christian?
Julius Salik warned that a strong grief and wave of strong feeling is being feel against shameful confinement of 47 young Christian women in private camps of police all night long on 18th May. Former Federal Ministrer Julius Salik said all it happens because there is no proper representation of Christian minority in assemblies. Only selected puppets are there instead of elected ones. It is always hazardous for democracy itself and democratic forces plus minorities. “Former President Gen. Pervez Musharaf introduced a system for minority’s representation in assembly by selection instead of election, because it was in dictator’s personal interest. Which was injustice to minorities as well as dangerous for democratic sprit. It is our bad luck that present democratic government is also stepping on the same foot prints of dictator’s path” he added. |
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FATA: The Troubles and the Solution |
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Rawalpindi/Pakistan: November 28, 2009. PCP) On Sunday 22nd November Thinkers Forum Pakistan met for its regular monthly meeting. The topic was. “ FATA: The troubles and the solution. Learned speaker, Air Marshall Syed Qaiser Hussain (Retd) belonging to Parachinar focused mostly on Kurram and Orakzai agencies. He enumerated the corner stones of life in FATA. It was Islam and Pakhtoon Wali. He explained at length the five pillars of Pakhtoon Wali. Then unfolded the critical areas where malice had crept in. First on the list was Mulla, an ignorant leader of Islam but wielding great influence over the naďve tribesmen. The Maliks, were next; the custodians of Pakhtoon Wali, who seem to have lost the veneration they held once. Next were the Political Agents some inept and lacking the acumenship required for dealing with the tribesmen. Frontier Constabulary was the next weakening link, and finally the abolition of the FCR. He praised FCR, and wished it could be followed and practiced.
Suggesting the solutions the learned speaker emphasized that the Mulla had to be effectively countered with more learned clerics disseminating true Islam and its teachings to the simpletons.. The PAs’ lot had to be improved and the way they govern should follow the old traditions of British time with the carrot and stick philosphy. Quality of officers in FC be improved and the deployment of the troops should remain restricted to the areas to which they belong. He emphasized on how locals should be empowered through enrichment of Maliks. It was to enable Maliks to maintain their Lashkars and Chigga. Overall revival of Pakhtoon Wali was the solution.
He covered in detail the various tribes and the way they populated various agencies. Their restriction to some agencies and sprinkling and spread across the Durand Line was intriguing. By and large the tribal code of ethics was hospitable, peaceful and Islamic in nature. Though of late the magnitude of Sunni-Shia divide – particularly after the North-South polarization in Afghanistan - and its effects was quite disturbing. Similarly, the existence and role of millions of cash changing hands and the existence and role of Taliban, could not get an in-depth treatment. The discussion was enriched by high quality input from analysts like Gen Asad Durrani.
TFP – a non political, non parochial, non-ethnic, non profit yielding and purely voluntary forum is striving for Better Pakistan for our children and their children by spreading the word and creating awareness amongst us all. Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd) is A/Chairman of TFP while Col. Bakhtiar Hakeem (Retd) is Secretary General of this Think Tank established in Pakistan. |
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AWAM organizes “Education for Democracy and Human Rights” program |
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Faisalabad: March 5, 2010. (PCP) Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) organized a two-days training of trainers titled “Education for Democracy and Human Rights” under ‘Democratic Education for Women-DEW Program’ from 28th February to 1st March 2010, at Centre for Peace and Harmony in Faisalabad. 42 Muslim and Christian trainees including political workers, teachers, students and representatives of NGOs actively participated in the training. The purpose of the training was to educate trainees about democratic norms and principles, to multiply political awareness for the participation of masses in the political process and to discuss challenges for democracy in Pakistan.
The facilitators of the training included; Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Suneel Malik (Secretary-NCJP), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Iftikhar Ahmad, Najeeb Ali Shah, Sitar Haider, Kaneez Ishaq and Zafar Iqbal. The content of the training included: concepts of democracy and human rights, democracy and characteristic of a democratic state, situation of civil and political rights in Pakistan, role of political parties and NGOs for the promotion of democratic culture, democratic system in Pakistan: challenges and resolves, women participation in political process: social and cultural barriers.
The facilitators termed ‘restrictions on the participation of women in political process, buying and selling of votes, politics in the name of caste’ as contrary to democratic values. They showed their grave concerns over the undemocratic decision of democratic government of appointing administrators and decreasing the participation of women in the political process by the dissolution of local government system.
The trainers for the strengthening and success of democratic system in Pakistan demanded that: the state institutions should be allowed to function in accordance with the Constitution while the laws, constitution and policies, discriminating on the basis of religion and sex, should be amended to comply with the standards and norms of human rights; balance of the powers among state institutions such as; judiciary, legislature and executives, must be ensured, separation of religion from the state affairs should be ensured; rule of law and participation of marginalized groups in the mainstream should be ensured.
Shazia George, Coordinator, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) prepared and issued this report. |
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Philanthropists Congress Fosters Partnerships for Effective Development |
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Abu Dhabi, UAE: March 25, 2009. (PCP) The 2nd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP) concluded today after several key developments had been achieved that indicate an evolution in Muslim giving. The WCMP is a high-level network of donors and foundations established to promote informed and effective giving. The annual Congress itself is a unique event which brings together a diverse set of participants, with the hope that enhanced cooperation between different philanthropies through strategic partnerships will add profound value to address global challenges that affect both humanity and the environment.
Dr. Tariq Cheema, the founder of the WCMP, affirms that the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP)' brings together leaders who understand the risks and opportunities they have are common as global citizens, and therefore realize that collaboration across the lines of faith and race is a necessity and not merely a choice'.
Developments
The conference, co-sponsored by Islamic development Bank, Emirates Foundation and Al-Faleh Group, served as an important occasion for the major Muslim philanthropic organizations—such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Islamic Development Bank—and other major regional or international organizations—like Tony Blair Faith Foundation, The Global Fund, Malaria No More and UN Millennium Campaign—to meet one another. It enabled excellent opportunities for bridge building between participants and accordingly a series of high-level negotiations took place that are likely to lead to future partnerships.
The WCMP organization itself also showed dynamism as it grows and its role expands. The WCMP organizers fostered deeper connections with a growing number of key philanthropies in the Muslim world, affirming its place as the as a research centre, a unified voice and a staunch advocate of Muslim philanthropy.
The atmosphere of openness, cooperation and trust-building in the Congress enabled the development of closer working relationships between the WCMP and its partners. The reality that organizations need to work more closely together to address challenges was underlined.
The speakers carefully examined the current economic situation's effect on Muslim philanthropy, and looked at ways that can be found to deal with challenges we face. The need for foundations to continue to fund social- and third-sector activity was stressed.
The speakers underlined the harmful effect that economic troubles have on the poorest members of our societies, but raised the encouraging fact that as need increases during a recession so does giving. It was emphasized that in every recession the amount of giving increases, and we should not shy away from the idea of donating during an economic downturn. The speakers suggested that the onus should be put on spending more efficiently, creating strategic partnerships, and reducing non-developmental spending.
The WCMP also succeeded in launching the Academy of Philanthropy. The Academy will provide donor education with an emphasis on how to give strategically and safely through a program known as “Building Leaders for Change”. The Academy will also partner with Human Development Foundation to establish “Human Development Institute” that will enhance the capacity of service delivery at the grassroots level.
World-renowned industry experts and high-level representatives of the World Bank, Organization of Islamic Conference, Islamic Development Bank, Malaria No More, Reach Out To Asia, the Emirates Foundation, the King Khalid Foundation, Religions for Peace, Al-Waleed bin Talal Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation, Grameen-Jameel and Arab Science & Technology Foundation contributed to the vibrant debates around global challenges, accountability, and partnership building.
Former UK Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, icon of the Muslim world Mr. Amr Khaled, UAE Minister Shiekha Lubna Al Qasimi, UK Justice Minister Shahid Malik, UN Special Envoy Mr. Ray Chambers, SheikhaAisha bint Faleh Al-Thani of Qatar, and internationally renowned Musician and philanthropist Mr. Youssou N'Dour addressed the conference, among others. |
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Xavier William appointed Coordinator of Islamabad PCC |
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Karachi: July 27, 2009. (PCP) Morris Sadiq, Secretary General of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC announced here today confirmation of Xavier William as Coordinator of PCC Islamabad and Capital area by Central Executive Council of PCC.
Mr. Xavier shall reorganize PCC offices in Islamabad and in capital vicinity and present report to PCC Central Council before Annual General Convention of PCC in Lahore in 20010.
The Central Executive Council members of PCC welcomed Mr. Xavier William in Pakistan Christian Congress and hoped that Mr. William shall effectively promote PCC manifesto and strength campaign launched for equal democratic rights of Christians in Pakistan. |
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Commonwealth’s help in resolving the Kashmir issue would usher in a new era of a peaceful coexistence between India and Pakistan |
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Toronto – November 28, 2009: On the occasion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (November 27-29), Peace and Justice Forum (PJF) has urged the Commonwealth leaders to help the Kashmiri people’s longstanding demand for justice, freedom, and respect for human rights.
Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of the PJF in separate letters to 53 Commonwealth leaders and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, expressed his serious concern about deteriorating human rights situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The Executive Director reminded the leaders that the Kashmir issue has dominated the geopolitics of South Asia for nearly 62 years because of continuing rivalry between India and Pakistan. They have fought three major wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir. The dispute between the rivals is the root of the nuclear arms race, which has resulted in the diversion of resources from human development to militarization. Unfortunately, the people of Kashmir are caught in the middle of this deadly tug-of-war.
He underscored that the 700,000 strong Indian forces have killed more than 100,000 Kashmiris to silence the people’s demand for freedom, justice, and respect for human rights. They continue to carry out arbitrary detention, summary executions, custodial killings, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, rape, sexual exploitation, torture and fake encounters. Generations of Kashmiris have grown up under the shadow of the gun; not a single family is unaffected; property worth hundreds of millions of dollars has been destroyed and the suffering and devastation continues unabated, sadly drawing no significant attention from the international community.
Mr. Jeelani cautioned the leaders that impunity has become a licence for the Indian occupation forces to wreak havoc with the lives of Kashmiris. The deliberate and unprovoked attacks and other patterns of abuse have all become too frequent to report. No perpetrator has ever been prosecuted in a real manner, despite the fact that such crimes have been extensively documented by many international human rights organisations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
The Executive Director urged the leaders’ attention to the following statement: “There can be no lasting political settlement in Kashmir unless human rights abuses that have fueled the insurgency are addressed,” underlined Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, February 9th, 2009. “Human Rights Watch called for the repeal of laws such as the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, and the Public Safety Act. These laws provide the armed forces with extraordinary powers to search, detain, and use lethal force, leading to numerous human rights violations. They also provide immunity for security forces. Prosecutions of security force personnel, even where the facts are well established, are rare.”
Mr. Jeelani brought to the leaders’ attention Amnesty International’s letter, November 18th, 2009, to the US President Barack Obama: “The Indian side of Kashmir is another area where Indian Security forces commit mass human rights abuses with impunity. Once again, the abuses are facilitated by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 and other similar laws. The civilian population of Kashmir has paid a high price for the conflict. Thousands have disappeared over the years.”
He emphasised that both the Harare and Singapore declarations reaffirmed commitment of the Commonwealth to the promotion of international understanding and world peace. The Harare declaration further reaffirmed “fundamental human rights including equal rights…for all…regardless of their political belief” on the principles to which the Commonwealth countries are committed.
Mr. Jeelani reminded the leaders that as a signatory to the Commonwealth's Harare declaration, government of India should be committed to the defence of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The fact remains that New Delhi continues with its brutal military campaign to silence Kashmiris demanding the right to self-determination. Therefore, India’s conduct is evidently in violation of the principles set out in the Harare declaration. However, the Commonwealth has been turning a blind eye to the unprecedented human rights abuses committed by the Indian occupation forces in Jammu and Kashmir, more particularly during the past 20 years.
The Executive Director underlined that the Kashmir conflict is a “political” and “human” tragedy and the world community, including India and Pakistan, has overlooked this critically important human dimension of the issue. Kashmiris’ demand is simple and in accordance with international law: implementation of the United Nations resolutions for a plebiscite to determine the future status of the disputed region in a peaceful and democratic way. Whatever the outcome, it will be impartial and binding for all three parties – India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.
Mr. Jeelani said that last two years have seen renewed and spontaneous, massive and non-violent protests where virtually everyone young and old, men and women, boys and girls are out on the streets protesting against India’s continued occupation. Such – on and off – protests have totally transformed the Kashmiri freedom struggle into a classic people’s movement demanding the right to self-determination.
He reminded the leaders that Kashmiris are yearning for peace, justice and freedom. They want a just and dignified peace that guarantees total freedom from foreign occupation and alien domination. Their struggle to achieve that right to self-determination will not be extinguished until India and Pakistan accept its exercise by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Executive Director emphasised that the perception that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan is unsubstantiated. Kashmir is not a territorial or bilateral issue. It is about the future of 15 million people with their own history of independence; their own language and culture. This is a simple explanation for the failure to resolve the Kashmir issue through on-again and off-again bilateral dialogue for the past 62 years. The people of Kashmir have lost complete faith in the bilateral process of India and Pakistan and their ability to resolve the issue.
He underlined that the right to self-determination is the cornerstone of the United Nations system that underpins the contemporary international order. Its unquestioned acceptance has been established by core international instruments including the Charter of the United Nations, the two Covenants on Civil and Political and Economic, Social and Cultural rights and the declaration adopted by General Assembly resolution 1514.
Mr. Jeelani emphasised that effective exercise of a people’s right to self-determination is an essential pre-requisite for the genuine exercise of other human rights and freedoms. Only when self-determination has been achieved can a people take the measures necessary to ensure human dignity, the full enjoyment of all rights including political, economic, social and cultural progress without any form of discrimination.
The Executive Director underscored that the right to self-determination is thus the raison d’etre of the contemporary international order and an absolute must for the progressive realisation of all fundamental human rights; this right must be exercised freely without covert influence, coercion or repression; it cannot be exercised under conditions of foreign occupation and it is non-lapsable.
He hoped that the leaders meeting in Port of Spain would encourage the UN to implement its longstanding resolutions on Kashmir; by doing so the Commonwealth in principle would honour its commitment to Harare’s declaration: “support the United Nations and other international institutions in world’s search for peace, disarmament and effective arms control; and in the promotion of international consensus on major political, economic and social issues.”
He warned that the failure of the Commonwealth to address the unresolved issue of Kashmir would be making a mockery of Harare’s declaration and point to institutional weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s capacity to promote and protect human rights.
The Executive Director underscored that it is high time that the Commonwealth leaders meeting in Port of Spain demand that India put an end to widespread human rights violations by its security forces, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The poor human rights records of any member country undermines the Commonwealth’s important role of promoting human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law. The Commonwealth needs to hold members accountable for their abusive human rights records.
Mr. Jeelani said he is convinced that the Commonwealth’s help can aid India and Pakistan to transform the Kashmir issue from being a bone of contention to a bridge of understanding for lasting peace and prosperity of South Asia’s billion plus people.
The Executive Director underlined that a peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute will help to bring stability in the South Asian region, including in Afghanistan and eliminate a potential threat of another major war. This would further help laying the foundation for a new era of coexistence between India and Pakistan. |
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Government to establish Youth Development Centers for females. Shahid Bhutto |
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LARKANA: March 5, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Federal Minister for Youth Affairs Shahid Hussain Bhutto has determined to establish “Youth Development Centers” for females to facilitate them in metropolitan cities regarding the accommodation and other healthy activities across the country, so far the ministry has provided 45000 jobs to the unemployed youth for the eradication of poverty, which is a positive development according to the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Addressing the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Sports Talent Award in Larkana by Pakistan Sports Welfare Association, federal Minister said that the youth delinquency is a common in society and they were facing various social and economical issues, while there is no development role of youth due to the government policies and the state is responsible to resolve the youth generation issues and their employment. He said that there is need to facilitate youth in every sector and the opportunities should be given according to their criteria.
Shahid Bhutto said the ministry has signed MoU for the trainings most of them are under pipeline/process, with various International agencies including UNFP, UNDP, ILO, World Bank and others for 30 youth development center establishment in country. He said the YDC projects at various cities including Gilgit, Peshawer, Quetta, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sukkur and other parts of country are suggested and most of the completed in country.
Federal Minister said it was only 40 million budget, which now have been increased up to the four billion for country wide youth development sector, it reflects the expansion of his ministry and youth activities across the country.
He said there are new windows of opportunities and facilities for gender balance, adding that two youth centers in each tehsil level will be completed, where the skills, trainings and different English coaching classes will be run for the youth development he said.
He said the Sports and Youth seminar will be organized soon and the Prime Minister of Pakistan will expected to preside over the event at Karachi. He also announced that the committee of Pakistan Sports Welfare Association should give/select the names of talented youth awardees for joining youth delegation to China in May-June 2010.
On the occasion, Patron Pakistan Sports Association MPA Haji Munwer Ali Abbasi said that the present government has provided sports facilities to the people of this area to groom their talent and the youth of the area start campaign from Larkana and prove in the national level sports activities.
He said there are no opportunities for the small towns and cities to participate on Pakistan level sports activities, but the Larkana players should come forward to play and prove their efficiencies. He also emphasized to the Minister sports must take interests to the objective.
He said he will take efforts to organize functions/sports activities thorugh out Sindh and in the name of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed sports activities will be continued. |
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Sign Petition to Free Uzbekistan Pastor: 8 year old daughter of Pastor Shestakoy appealed ICC Chief Jeff King |
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http://www.persecution.org/suffering/petitions.php.
USA: March 26, 2009. On January 21, 2007, Pastor Dmitry Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his Full Gospel Church in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's Religious Affairs Committee claims Shestakov, an evangelical pastor affiliated with the registered Full Gospel Church, is not an authorized leader of any officially-recognized religious organization in Uzbekistan. They describe him as an "imposter" leading an underground group engaged in proselytizing under Shestakov's leadership. He is appealing his four-year labor camp sentence.
ICC is joining a broad effort to send letters to Uzbekistan on behalf of Pastor Shestakov for the month of April, in conjunction with the website www.freepastordmitry.com. Would you join us, and help Vera see her father again?
ICC recently received a letter from a young girl in Uzbekistan. She wrote:
My name is Vera. I am 8 years old. I live in Uzbekistan. I have a Dad, a Mum, and two older sisters. We all believe in Jesus. My Dad is a pastor. Two years ago he was put in prison, because he spoke to people about God. I don't understand why.
My Dad is the best of all!
He is good, fun-loving and generous. I really miss him. He used to take me to the park and bought me ice-cream. We all long for him to be here. Mum often cries and worries about him. When I wake up each morning I really want to see Dad. I ask God to bring Dad back to us. So that everything will be as it was before. Help us to get my Dad back!
Vera Shestakova
Pastor's daughter. Uzbekistan
Here's How You Can Help
#1 Pray: The first thing you can do to help is stop right now and ask the Lord to intervene.
#2 Next, review our petition at http://www.persecution.org/suffering/pdfs/2009-03_Petition_to_Free_Pastor_Dmitry_Shestakov.pdf. Uzbekistan officials are concerned about their relationship with the United States and other countries, so when the people shout, they will listen. We have also found that evil prefers to stay hidden and when we shine the light on it, it flees.
#3 Electronically sign the petition at http://www.persecution.org/suffering/petitions.php.
#4 Print out the petition and take it to your church and have everyone you know sign it. Send it back to us so we can present it to the Uzbekistan President and Ambassador. Feel free to print out extra signature pages for large numbers of sign ups. When you have collected all your signatures, please mail the signature pages to (please note that our address has changed!):
ICC
PO Box 8056
Silver Spring, MD 20907 |
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Strong parliament essential for democracy: HRCP |
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Islamabad; July 27, 2009. (PCP) The parliament must be made strong and popular with the people if continuation of the democratic system is to be guaranteed. This was the consensus at a consultation with parliamentarians, leaders of political parties and civil society activists from Punjab and Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP) organized here the other day by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The participants were unanimous in holding the military’s, especially the intelligence agencies’, interference in political matters as the biggest obstacle to parliament’s supremacy and stability of the democratic system.
There was complete unanimity among the participants on restoration of the 1973 constitution except for certain amendments (voting age, women’s seats, etc)
The participants were also unanimous in calling for due accountability of political leaders and stricter checks on floor-crossing. A call for reducing election expenses and for political parties to award election tickets on merit was also supported.
They agreed that parliament will become strong and play its leading role in promoting democracy if it paid due attention to people’s concerns and gave their interest preference to all other matters.
There was some difference of opinion on the suggestion that religious forces had put unwarranted restrictions on the parliament’s supremacy and therefore the ideal of a secular democracy had to be reaffirmed. One political party was seriously opposed to this formulation.
The main recommendations made by the meeting included:
The federal and provincial legislatures should be the only law-making bodies. No other entity/forum should have the power to make laws. The central parliament should avoid encroaching on provinces’ legislative functions.
The constitution should be amended to bar any fresh taxation without the parliament’s approval. Parliament should also oversee subordinate legislation, such as rules made under enactments. Non-legislative acts, such as SROs and notifications enjoying the power of law, should always be put on legislatures’ tables.
A parliamentary commission should examine all ordinances that have been issued over the past many decades so that they can be validated or dropped under parliament’s authority. No law that has not been made by a competent legislature should be allowed to remain on the statute book for more than four months.
No government policy should be adopted without a thorough debate in parliament.
Parliament should have a say in the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner, service chiefs, and the judges.
The Rules of Business should be approved by the legislature concerned.
All international treaties signed by Pakistan as well as reports to the UN must be debated in parliament.
The standing committees should be set up within two weeks of the formation of the legislatures and they should meet regularly.
The parliament will gain in stature if Senate’s power are increased.
The proceedings of legislatures should be published within two weeks of events and in national languages. Each legislature must offer up-to-date information on its website. It should also issue an annual report on its activities.
All legislatures should provide space for the articulation of special groups’ (women, minorities) views.
The procedure regarding private members’ bills/resolutions should be revised so as to increase their contribution to legislative work.
The question hour should be used to provide as much information on the state’s and government’s affairs as possible.
The meeting also called upon the political parties to train their workers in parliamentary proceedings, hold discussion on legislative proposals at the various levels of organisation, exercise their powers of overseeing the work of their government/parliamentary parties and sensitise their following to the demands of participatory democracy.
Prominent among those who attended the Islamabad roundtable were parliamentarians Afrasiab Khatak (ANP), Begum Tehmina Daultana (PML-N), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (PML-N), MNAs Jamila Gillani and Bushra Gohar, former MNAs Latif Afridi, and M. Aslam (Jamat Islami), Punjab Tehrik Insaf leader Asif Khan. Advocates Sher Mohammad (Swat) and Kamran Arif (Peshawar), Mr Amirul Azeem (JI), media and civil society representatives from Punjab, Pakhtunkhwa, tribal areas and Islamabad |
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Inderias Bhatti nominated as President of Lahore City Pakistan Christian Congress Council |
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Karachi: November 29, 2009. (PCP) According to press note issued by Pakistan Christian Congress PCC Central Council here today Mr. Inderias Bhatti, a prominent human right activist in Pakistan have been nominated as President of Lahore Metropolitan PCC Council.
Mr. Inderias Bhatti will also hold additional offices of Kasur district and Raiwind as PCC Organizer and shall recommend the PCC Councils in respective districts and vicinities.
Mr. Inderias will finalize program for PCC Annual Convention in Punjab in 2010. His recommendations in holding of Annual Convention in 2010 shall be presented in June 2010, in Annual Central Council meeting with organizing committee of Convention.
Mr. Inderias Bhatti shall also nominate Lahore City, Kasur district and Raiwind PCC Councils officials till February 2010
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti congratulated Mr. Inderias Bhatti on joining Pakistan Christian Congress PCC and said that PCC will be more strong in Punjab now as Christians representative political party.
Nazir Bhatti urged Christian Social and Political leaders in Punjab to quit such Christian groups which are being led by leaders or Members of National or Provincial Assembly on intimation of Muslim political parties in Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti said “Christian groups with Punjab government or Federal government have fail to present any draft resolution or legislation to repeal blasphemy law and sincere Christians must leave these groups and join Pakistan Christian Congress’
“PCC will never bargain on principals and will keep struggling to repeal blasphemy law which is root cause of violence against Christians” |
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ASPTA stages protest against non provision of Teaching allowances |
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LARKANA: March 6, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) All Sindh Primary Teachers Association (ASPTA) staged a protest rally followed by dispatched memorandum letters to the President of Pakistan against the non provision of Teaching allowances and Timing scale to the primary teachers of Sindh here on Saturday.
The rally was led by district President Syed Raza Ali Shah, rally started from Deeni Madarsah School and reached at Press Club Larkana, where the large number of teachers around 1550 employees chanted slogans in favour of their demands. The rally demanded to provide them teaching allowances and timing scale to the Sindh teachers.
Later, the rally marched to the General Post Office Larkana and dispatched 1550 memorandum letters to the President Asif Ali Zardari for the resolution of their genuine issues.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that the over 0.1 million teachers of Sindh were also dispatching same memorandum letters and protest rallies across the Sindh for their issues.
While other, large number of National Program for Improvement of Water Courses (NPIW) Larkana chapter held demonstration and staged sit in at Jinnah Bagh Chowk against the brutally baton charge on peaceful protesters of NPIW rally for their regularization of their jobs in Karachi.
On the occasion, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz local leaders and workers in support of NPIW employees took out protest demonstration and staged sit-in at Jinnah Bagh.
The protest demonstration was led by JSQM local leader Muzafar Sandano, Athar Soomro, Zafar Muheri, Aziz Shaikh and others. They all condemned the atrocities of Karachi police, resorted the baton charge on the NPIW employees they were protesting for their regularization of jobs.
The employees demanded from the high authorities to release their arrested employees and take action against the police. |
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Nawaz Sharif can not be reliable partner in war on terrorism. Nazir S Bhatti |
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“Success of Long March by Islamists in Pakistan shall encourage Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan”
The long march ended in restoration of deposed judges on March 16, 2009, leaving behind impression of weak federal government led by moderate Muslim PPP, ANP and JUI while a success of lawyers, religious political groups and radical Muslim elements from NWFP and Punjab. When Islamist groups opened front against government by hijacking lawyers movement at same time there was an other front launched by Tehreek Nafaz Shariat Mohammadi TNSM with a deadline of March 15, 2009, to establish Kazi Courts under Sharia law in Swat, Malakand and Northern Areas of NWFP. What a co-incident that radical Muslims of NWFP and religious political groups like PML(N), JI and TIP from Punjab launched attack on both fronts by deadlines to government in month of March, 2009. Was there any cooperation among NWFP Taliban and Punjab or any link in demands of Kazi Courts under Sharia Law in Swat and reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry? We will discuss this question in light of war on terror by Pakistan and NATO.
Such rumors are circulating that decision of Pakistani government to implement Sharia law in Swat valley after months fighting was under directions of US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Obama appointed Richard Holbrook as US envoy on his achievement to establish peace in Ireland among two Christian sects. If such proposal came by US administration to accept demands of TTP and TNSM of Sharia law in Swat, Malakand and Northern Areas then it is negative step to end insurgency in Afghanistan and long term peace in region or an end to terrorism. The situation in Ireland was entirely different than Afghanistan-Pakistan because that was fight among to Christian religious sects for power while in this region Islamic radicals, Islamic sects, Islamic political groups and Islamic moderate are at constant war. Do US administration truly understands conflict among Muslim sects and Islam by itself? It is also learned that US administration pressurized government of Pakistan to accept demand of long marchers to restore judges to avoid instability which may harm efficiency of Pak armed forces to fight terrorists in FATA, a tribal belt of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. Does a success of Islamist forces in Swat and Long March provides strength to Taliban? It requires an analysis.
Here comes a warning bell for US administration and Pakistan to back Sharia law in Swat and moment of re-thinking for Richard Holbrook. US toppled Taliban regime on violations of human rights, harboring terrorists and misuse of Islamic Sharia laws. We can count days after Kazi Courts in Swat and statement of Moulana Sami-ul-Haq appears in media on March 22, 2009, demanding Sharia law within all Pakistan. What shall be situation when nuclear armed Pakistan turns to be a Taliban style Sharia law state where women shall not attend schools, cinemas will shut down, barber shops will be closed, beheadings without trial and a Muslim radical’s finger tip on nuclear button to destroy India, Israel and Western countries? Sharia laws are on doors of Pakistan and Islamist forces in Punjab and NWFP are stronger after Long March and Swat Sharia law truce.
What is terrorism and why it is linked to Islam? What Islamists forces or Islamic teachings have role to promote terrorism? The Western forums and think tanks have very little practical knowledge of Islam because they rely on statements of some so-called moderate Muslims settled in Western countries who interpret Islam for their vested interests and mislead policy makers.
Terrorism is major threats to civilized societies in 21st century waging war to damage socio-economic structure around globe. If we have to win war against terrorism, then we must understand force behind terrorism. If any one thinks that Taliban insurgency is achieving success in Afghanistan with poppy smuggled cash or any foreign hidden hand then they are not fully aware of situation because apart from cash and guns there is force of Islamic teaching as major source of strength behind Taliban.
Those who think, peace can be restored through dialogues in Afghanistan are living in fools paradise because Taliban are winning on all fronts in Afghanistan or in tribal belt of Pakistan and in high spirits to defeat NATO as they defeated Russia.
When we say Islamists political parties in Pakistan, we mean elements which are struggling to impose Sharia law through ballot like PML(N), JI, JUI(S), TIP and when we say Taliban, we mean organizations planning to enforce Sharia law with guns, battles and suicide bombers like Tehreek Taliban Pakistan, Al-quida, Lashkar Taiba, Laskar Jangvi, Jaish Mohammad, Jamat-ud-Dawa and other radical groups. The Islamic political parties and Taliban have close working relationship to impose Sharia law in Pakistan to establish Afghanistan style Taliban government. Do Taliban or Islamic groups believe in peace by dialogue? There is very clear answer according to Islamic teaching “No” .
When we read Qur’an it says: "Fight and slay the pagans [Christians] wherever ye find them and seize them, confine them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush" (Surah 9:5) Contrary to Muslim rhetoric that claims Islam means peace, the truth is that the word Islam does not mean peace, but "Submission" as this authority verifies: "The term Islam in the lexicon of the Arabs means 'Submission' to God." One who accepts Islam and makes such submission is a Muslim. Such a person is termed a mu'min (believer), and one who does not accept Islam is a kafir (unbeliever). Hadith 1.24”
Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. It adds more in Hadith 9:50, 57 "No Umma (a member of Muslim community) should be killed for killing a Kafir (an infidel). . Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him."
These are comments of few famous Muslim leaders which are never denied nor discussed by moderate Muslim who appear on Western media to claim Islam as religion of peace. Such moderate Muslims are sponsored by Christian organizations, Think Tanks and Academic institution in name of Human Rights.
Imam Ayatollah Khomeni ssaid:
“Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword.' The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for the Holy Warriors! Does all this mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war? I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim." and "Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males to prepare themselves for the conquest of countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world."
In Ibn Khaldun, The Muqadimmah: Ail Introduction to History, Islamic historian, 1377 AD is written:
“In the Muslim community, the holy war is a religious duty, because of the universalism of the Muslim mission and the obligation to convert everybody to Islam either by persuasion or force“
Sayyid Qutb, Egyptian says:
"The foremost duty of Islam is to depose the government and society of unbelievers (jahiliyyah) from the leadership of man."
The Islamic Council in Chechnya, comments:
"the religion of Islam could be above all, so that all areas of life could be guided by Islam, and so that the earth could be cleansed from unbelief" (The Islamic Council in Chechnya)
Mohatir Mohammad says:
“The true Muslims have waged war while moderate Muslims are waiting to statrt Jihad”
But Muslim propaganda machinery in Western countries are making extraordinary efforts to change the image of Islam by reintroducing in 21st century as a religion of peace which rejects violence. Such moderate Muslims fail to issue any religious decree on comments by Muslim leaders given up or to clarify when Islamic history says:
“Prophet Muhammad used to send letters to the kings and leaders of the surrounding countries and tribes, inviting them to surrender to his authority and to believe in him as the messenger of Allah. He always ended his letters with the following two words: "Aslim, Taslam!". Which meant ‘surrender and you will be safe’, or in other words, ‘surrender or face death” So where is the ‘Peace’ in such a religion that threatens to kill other people if they don't submit to it?
After defining Islam and ultimate peace efforts through dialogues with Muslim world, we can conclude that a small portion of Muslims tried to present Islam which they termed as moderate Islam while majority of Muslims settled in Western countries never abandoned Islamic teachings. These Muslims have achieved many successes in Europe and North America by forcing Western countries to establish Sharia law for them. As a result of these Sharia Courts in UK, Muslims are dreaming to extend Sharia in limits of Europe and North America. Already, France, UK, Norway, Sweden and Netherland are on mercy of Muslim population who have been creating law and order situation by processions on issues like Cartoons or Palestine benefiting from freedom of expression and speech guaranteed under state constitutions. The Western world which believes in Human Rights and religious freedom rather than practicing Christianity have failed to compel Saudi Arabia to permit building one Church to promote interfaith dialogues while thousands of Mosques are being built in EU and North America. The Western leaders are also not successful to make changes in syllabus of Islamic seminaries in Islamic world where Jihad is preached as I have presented. In 21st century, Islamic forces shall not invade Europe like Tariq Bin Ziad because such invasion is underway by increasing birth rate and Sharia law by Muslims and decreasing by Christians which shall enable them to capture Europe by ballot in 2075.
Before postmortem of long march to point out how it shall support Taliban insurgency in region? We must know more about deposed Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry and Nawaz Sharif;
The focal point of long march was Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry, who was deposed by President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. We can doubt on sincere efforts of President Pervez Musharraf against war on terror but no one shall ever deny that he saved Islamabad from Taliban to enforce Sharia law by Lal Masjid operation. The demand raised in Swat Valley by Tehreek Taliban Pakistan in 2009, was being made from Lal Masjid in 2006. The Lal Masjid which was situated in heart of capital city of Islamabad and very next to military offices was running an Islamic seminary with enrollment of six thousand students who were openly operating Islamic Sharia courts and issuing Islamic decrees. The capital was at brink to fall in hands of this Al-Hafsa seminary students who planned to enforce Sharia law on power of guns like Taliban in Swat, Malakand and other Northern Areas of Pakistan but President Pervez Musharraf saved Islamabad and Pakistan from wave of Talibanization by a military operation.
Al Jazeera English TV in his broadcast of July 11, 2007, said “Parents are anxiously awaiting news of children allegedly used as human shields in the mosque” which clarifies that armed students were using same terrorists tactics as Taliban are using in Jihad in Afghanistan and tribal areas of Pakistan to use innocent people as human shields. It was surprising for administration that Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry passed orders in favor of Islamic elements of Lal Masjid who have established parallel judicial system in Islamabad and challenged writ of government.
According to agencies news release on July 17, 2007, of dateline Islamabad it was quoted “Expressing displeasure over the continued detention of surrendered "students" of Lal Masjid's madrassas, the Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered the release of all students”
Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda's second in command, released a message which included the sentence: "Your salvation is only through jihad", heightening tensions in the region.
When Al-Qaeda was warning violence in Pakistan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry passed another order to reopen Lal Masjid and Madrassa Afsa on October 2, 2007, which had launched a Taliban-style anti-vice campaign in capital, warning massage centers and music shops to close but same was being protected by supreme court of Pakistan which never took notice when students of madrassa were waving arms before TV cameras and announcing Jihad. Was Supreme Court of Pakistan protecting enforced Sharia law in Islamabad? Such serious issues created doubts on intentions of Supreme Court which forced President Musharraf to depose Chief Justice and to file reference against him while lawyers associations announced protests demanding reinstate of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry.
Since November 3, 2007 the lawyers’ movement witnessed many vicissitudes, ranging from incarceration of about 60 judges; stoning, burning, brick-batting, arresting and tear gas shelling on lawyers, disappointment when some judges took fresh oaths and left the struggling lawyers in a mess; reneging of the rulers after making promises to reinstate of judges; and even leaving its torch bearing leaders into doubt of betraying the legal fraternity.
They succeeded in achieving their motive within 4 months and 11 days when Chaudhry was restored as chief justice on July 20, 2007 but the president, in capacity of the chief of army staff, imposed emergency rule in the country and detained more than 60 judges who denied taking oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) on November 3, 2007.
On the same day a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry declared the emergency illegal and unconstitutional. The lawyers again spearheaded their movement with cooperation from political parties against the imposition of emergency. On November 5, 2007, police raided the Lahore High Court Bar Association and arrested around 800 lawyers.
Now view an other side of story, on September 7, 2007, Justice Shabbir Hussain Chatha ordered police to arrest Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz Sharif and produce him before the court, after the hearing in Lahore. The court ruled that "Shahbaz Sharif should be arrested (at) whichever airport he lands at". On September 10, Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad where National Accountability Bureau chief issued a warrant due to corruption charges made against him. After that, Nawaz Sharif boarded another airliner to be exiled back to Saudi Arabia.
It is very important to record political activities of Nawaz Sharif before we head to wards count down on long march led by him. Nawaz Sharif was never an enlighten Muslim but a fundamental Muslim which he proved as Prime Minister of Pakistan when approved Islamic laws in Pakistan. After proposed amendment, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: "I congratulate the nation on the passage of the bill which will help create a truly Islamic system.
The Economist (US) on April 20, 1991, published that “Although the sharia bill proclaims the Koran and the sunnah (way of the Prophet) as the supreme law of the land, many of the draft proposals merely emphasise …”
Nawaz Sharif, born in Lahore in 1949, his family, along with other major industrial families suffered from the nationalization of large industrial enterprises during Bhutto's regime of PPP (1971-77). Nawaz Sharif worked to build a political constituency that would punish PPP and revenge on its nationalization. When Ishaq Khan dismissed Benazir and her government in 1990, he again called a general election. As a result, Nawaz Sharif was brought to power in 1990.
Nawaz Sharif government's by Shariat Bill, which declared the Quran and the sunna to be the law of the land and theocracy was being established. A working group was set up to monitor and make recommendations for enforcing Islamic laws in the country. The working group adopted a nineteen-point plan that included calls for the implementation of all Islamic legislation, especially the laws creating sharia courts; transformation of the education system to reflect Islamic teaching; controls on the print and electronic media designed to ensure Islamic moral values; uniform and enforced prayer schedules; and the establishment of an Islamic banking system and the total abolition of interest.
Nawaz Sharif tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan expanded Islamic Seminaries which were established by his political Guru General Zia-Ul-Haq and fully protected by his Sharia Bill. These seminaries were openly recruiting Jihadi for Holy War and ISI was training terrorists in camps of Pakistani occupied Kashmir territory for suicide missions in Indian Kashmir.
countrystudies.us reported on Tuesday, October 07, 2008, that PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is playing a key role in conjunction with Saudi Arabia in bringing about a negotiated settlement between the Taliban and the Karzai regime to pave the way for withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. “Nawaz Sharif was invited by Saudi King Abdullah and he undertook the present visit to stay in Saudi Arabia for nearly two weeks to talk peace process,” the source said. “Nawaz Sharif is serving as a bridge,” one political source said and added the PML-N chief is an “old hand” on Afghanistan. During his two stints as prime minister, Nawaz Sharif had developed good working relations with almost all the Afghan Mujahideen leaders, who were now largely irrelevant because of the fighting strength of the Taliban.
Lets look into ousted of Benazir Bhutto government in 1996 and her blames on I.S.I. for toppling her, saying she had angered them by her refusal to recognize the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. Her military-backed replacement, Nawaz Sharif, extended the first diplomatic recognition to the Taliban in May 1997 and traveled to other Muslim countries in an attempt to persuade them to recognize the student militia but only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates agreed.
By 1998, Osama bin Laden was well established in Afghanistan after fleeing Sudan two years earlier. He and his network had set up terrorist training camps throughout the country, many of them alongside camps operated by the Taliban and I.S.I.
After the bombings of two American embassies in East Africa in the summer of 1998 killed more than 250 people, the United States tried to find a way to pry Mr. bin Laden, who the Americans blamed for the attacks, out of Afghanistan.
In September 1999, government officials said, the director general of I.S.I., Lt. Gen. Ziauddin and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was summoned to Washington. American officials told them Pakistan should force the Taliban to moderate their positions and turn over Osama bin Laden. Nawaz Sharif sent General Ziauddin to Kandahar to deliver the American message to Mullah Omar, who refused and next month, on Oct. 12, 1999, Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in a military coup.
www.adnki.com (AKI) reported that former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif did meet al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at least three times in order to get financial help, according to Khalid Khawaja, the former official with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In an exclusive interview with Adnkronos International (AKI), Khawaja, once a close friend of Osama bin Laden, rejected the statements by a spokesperson for Sharif's political party, denying that Sharif had sought political cooperation from bin Laden in the past.
"Nawaz Sharif met Osama Bin Laden on at least three occasions and was desperately seeking his financial assistance," Khawaja told AKI in response to recent news reports regarding a possible meeting between the two.
In an interview with a national Urdu daily, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and of the six party religious alliance MMA, said that Nawaz Sharif had repeatedly met Osama bin Laden who offered him money to buy the loyalties of parliamentarians in the late 1980s in order to topple the government of then prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Qazi also said that bin Laden was a big supporter of Nawaz Sharif's bid to be prime minister in 1990.
Khalid Khawaja's name resurfaced when US reporter Daniel Pearl was abducted and subsequently killed. Pearl had come to Pakistan and met Khalid Khawaja in order to investigate the jihadi network of revered sufi, Syed Mubarak Ali Gailani.
"Now after Benazir Bhutto formed her government and the opposition parties moved for a vote of no-confidence, Osama Bin Laden comes in a picture," Khawaja recalled.
"I still remember that Osama bin Laden provided me with funds, which I handed over to Nawaz Sharif, then the chief minister of Punjab [and later premier], to dislodge Benazir Bhutto. Nawaz Sharif insisted that I arrange a direct meeting with the "Sheikh", which I did in Saudi Arabia. Nawaz met thrice with Osama in Saudi Arabia.
The links among Nawaz Sharif and his support to Taliban make his role doubtful in war against terror in region while his sudden rise after long march creates suspicions. If International forces under new administration in USA and swift change in policy to end terrorism in Afghanistan-Pakistan are planning to use Nawaz Sharif then it is time to re-think thrice.
It is for notice of Mr. Richard Holbrook that Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan are not Ireland where he dealt with Christian armed sects which were persuaded to dialogue in name of peaceful teaching of Christianity. The moderate or enlightened Muslims engaged to advise US administration and other forums are misleading which can result in failure of long term peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, it is very important to study volatile history of Afghanistan and interests of China, Russia, Iran, Indian and Pakistan in region. The stability in Pakistan is directly related to peace in Afghanistan which urges international forces to support government and Armed Forces to end terrorism in region and fear of terror around globe. Any attempt to bring new players in Pakistan shall damage war against terrorism because Pakistani Armed forces formed Taliban, so, let forces handle them under NATO dierections No one shall deny historic fact about Pushtons that they only sit for Jirga or dialogue table when under pressure unless never fear to kill. |
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PCC leader beaten on rescue efforts of Christian youth from Muslim attackers |
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Rawalpindi: July 28, 2009. (PCP report) A Pakistan Christian Congress PCC leader of Islamabad was also beaten by Muslim attackers when he tried to rescue one Christian youth on broad day light on busy road of Rawalpindi.
Mr. Xavier William, coordinator of PCC Islamabad, at 9;35 AM, when driving through Muree Road to Islamabad, saw people beating one youth in front of Jang Building. He stopped by to enquire the reason of kicking a youth on busy street by more than 20 people.
He was told that young boy is car lifter but youth was crying lying on street that “he is not a car lifter but with a mistake he touched other car of same color and model which he drove from home to pick photos from shop in Jang Building”
Mr. Willam requested gathering to stop beating youth and asked youth to show registration of his car to clarify situation. His name was Sunil John from his identification can white care tag number was RIP 3587, white color Toyota registered in his uncle name when he was accused car lifting of same model same color car tag number 3785. Sunil John borrowed car from his visiting uncle to pick photos.
When gathering of Muslims came to knew that boy is Christian and his rescuer is also Christian, they attacked both Mr. William and John and started beating and hitting them.
The Journalists from offices on building also approached the scene and joined beating Mr. Xavier William and Sunil John. Instead to clarify the mistake of Sunil John, the journalists called police who took them to Waris Khan Police Station. In police station, Muslim journalist from one daily English newspaper pressed upon SHO to arrest and lodge report of car lifting against them. The Muslim journalist said to police “ Christians must be punished of mistake” on which Mr. William lodged protest before police but SHO of police ordered policemen to teach lesson to Mr. William on helping car lifters and then policemen put him under third degree torture. The used special “leather whips” used on criminals to beat Mr. William and was kicked until he became unconscious.
When police was taking them to Waris Khan Police Station from Jang Group Newspaper Building, Mr. William used his cell phone to inform Inspector General Police Punjab IG to inform about beating by Muslims. The Deputy Superintendent Police DSP reached in police station who learned facts and ordered police to release Xavier William and Sunil John.
There was outrage among Christians of Punjab on manhandling of Mr. Xavier by police. The Christian organizations are holding press conference in Lahore to condemn attack on Mr. William.
We wish to bring on record that Pakistan Christian Congress PCC leadership have been always target of establishment in Pakistan since 1998, which forced majority of Christian leaders to fled from country.
The recent move to reorganize PCC in Pakistan is under strict notice of establishment and secret agencies agents are harassing PCC leaders.
Mr. Xavier William was recently nominated as Coordinator of Islamabad PCC to launch reorganization of PCC in Islamabad and capital areas. |
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Considering Christmas-Muharam, Chhattisgarh Civic Poll Re-scheduled |
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Bhopal, India: November 29, 2009. (Fr. Anand Muttungal for PCP) Considering Christmas-Muharam, the Chattishgah State Election Commission today re-scheduled the local body elections in the state. The demand was raised by the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum,(CCF). The State Election Commissioner , Shivraj Singh, announced the new dates for the local body election. As per the new dates 21st and 23rd December will be two faces of voting and the counting will be on 27th of the same month. He also gave exemption to Christians on poll duties too.
CCF approached the state election commission on 25th of November to re-schedule the election. The Second face of election was falling on 24th December. The elections were to be held in three faces. CCF General Secretary Panna Lal said, “ Our delegation met the State Election officer to change the date, we told him that a week before Christmas Christians start cleaning the house, special fasting and prayer.” He said, “We appraised the commission of the special meal given to poor and needy on the even of Christmas, it is also a family festival and many Christians are Government employees so their homes will not be able to celebrate festival.”
The memorandum highlighted that it will not only affect the Christians of celebrating festival but also affect voting. Christian candidates and voters will find it difficult to exercise their right with internal freedom. Since they are busy it can affect the rate of polling.
Necessary prayers to be offered by Christians from moring has been successful in getting the local bodies’ election schedule changed as they were overlapping Christmas Eve. The Christian employees of C.G. have also been exempted from the election duty keeping in mind the Christmas week.
In a hurriedly called press conference State Election Commissioner told newsmen that on 25th representatives from both Christian and Muslim communities came and sought to change polling schedule in view of their major festivals, Christmas and Moharum clashing with election dates. The decision was taken on 26th after consultations with major political parties we have changed the dates.
He said,”all political parties have agreed to change the dates.”
The Christian and Muslim communities have welcomed the decision of the election. CCF GenerL Secretary said ,”It is clear that we still are governed by the secular constitution of our country. Christians have shown unity in all these process.” Isai Mahasangh Chattisgah In-charge Dr. Christy Abraham expressed greater hope that this achievement of Christians will also unite them and it can be seen in the local body elections.” |
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PCC Holland Chapter to present Petition on Christian persecution to UNHRC in Geneva. |
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Karachi: March 7, 2010. (PCP) Mr. Parvez Iqbal, President of PCC-Holland Chapter will present a petition to UNHRC on Christian persecution in Pakistan during annual session of Commission in Geneva on March 8-9, 2010.
PCC Central Council here in a meeting decided to present a follow up petition with offices of United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva which was presented to Secretary General UN offices in New York to grant Refugee Status to Pakistani Christians on February 25, 2009, by PCC President Dr. Nazir S Bhatti.
PCC central Council expressed confidence in leadership of Pakistan Christian Congress President Dr. Nazir S Bhatti and his struggle to seek Refugee Status for Pakistani Christians on suffering constructional genocide and oppression in Pakistan.
An additional petition was also dispatched citing recent incident of violence against Christian on pretext to blasphemy law.
Mr. Parvez Iqbal, President PCC Holland Chapter, representing PCC shall submit petition with regard to anti human activities against Christians in Pakistan highlighting very recent situation with Christians in Pakistan such as cases against Christians under Blasphemy laws, incidents like as Life imprisonment to Christian couple, Shazia Murder Case, attacks on Christians in Karachi , Gojra and Korian. |
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Success of Long March by Islamists in Pakistan shall encourage Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan: By Nazir S Bhatti |
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The long march ended in restoration of deposed judges on March 16, 2009, leaving behind impression of weak federal government led by moderate Muslim PPP, ANP and JUI while a success of lawyers, religious political groups and radical Muslim elements from NWFP and Punjab. When Islamist groups opened front against government by hijacking lawyers movement at same time there was an other front launched by Tehreek Nafaz Shariat Mohammadi TNSM with a deadline of March 15, 2009, to establish Kazi Courts under Sharia law in Swat, Malakand and Northern Areas of NWFP. What a co-incident that radical Muslims of NWFP and religious political groups like PML(N), JI and TIP from Punjab launched attack on both fronts by deadlines to government in month of March, 2009. Was there any cooperation among NWFP Taliban and Punjab or any link in demands of Kazi Courts under Sharia Law in Swat and reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry? We will discuss this question in light of war on terror by Pakistan and NATO.
Such rumors are circulating that decision of Pakistani government to implement Sharia law in Swat valley after months fighting was under directions of US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Obama appointed Richard Holbrook as US envoy on his achievement to establish peace in Ireland among two Christian sects. If such proposal came by US administration to accept demands of TTP and TNSM of Sharia law in Swat, Malakand and Northern Areas then it is negative step to end insurgency in Afghanistan and long term peace in region or an end to terrorism. The situation in Ireland was entirely different than Afghanistan-Pakistan because that was fight among to Christian religious sects for power while in this region Islamic radicals, Islamic sects, Islamic political groups and Islamic moderate are at constant war. Do US administration truly understands conflict among Muslim sects and Islam by itself? It is also learned that US administration pressurized government of Pakistan to accept demand of long marchers to restore judges to avoid instability which may harm efficiency of Pak armed forces to fight terrorists in FATA, a tribal belt of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. Does a success of Islamist forces in Swat and Long March provides strength to Taliban? It requires an analysis.
Here comes a warning bell for US administration and Pakistan to back Sharia law in Swat and moment of re-thinking for Richard Holbrook. US toppled Taliban regime on violations of human rights, harboring terrorists and misuse of Islamic Sharia laws. We can count days after Kazi Courts in Swat and statement of Moulana Sami-ul-Haq appears in media on March 22, 2009, demanding Sharia law within all Pakistan. What shall be situation when nuclear armed Pakistan turns to be a Taliban style Sharia law state where women shall not attend schools, cinemas will shut down, barber shops will be closed, beheadings without trial and a Muslim radical’s finger tip on nuclear button to destroy India, Israel and Western countries? Sharia laws are on doors of Pakistan and Islamist forces in Punjab and NWFP are stronger after Long March and Swat Sharia law truce.
What is terrorism and why it is linked to Islam? What Islamists forces or Islamic teachings have role to promote terrorism? The Western forums and think tanks have very little practical knowledge of Islam because they rely on statements of some so-called moderate Muslims settled in Western countries who interpret Islam for their vested interests and mislead policy makers.
Terrorism is major threats to civilized societies in 21st century waging war to damage socio-economic structure around globe. If we have to win war against terrorism, then we must understand force behind terrorism. If any one thinks that Taliban insurgency is achieving success in Afghanistan with poppy smuggled cash or any foreign hidden hand then they are not fully aware of situation because apart from cash and guns there is force of Islamic teaching as major source of strength behind Taliban.
Those who think, peace can be restored through dialogues in Afghanistan are living in fools paradise because Taliban are winning on all fronts in Afghanistan or in tribal belt of Pakistan and in high spirits to defeat NATO as they defeated Russia.
When we say Islamists political parties in Pakistan, we mean elements which are struggling to impose Sharia law through ballot like PML(N), JI, JUI(S), TIP and when we say Taliban, we mean organizations planning to enforce Sharia law with guns, battles and suicide bombers like Tehreek Taliban Pakistan, Al-quida, Lashkar Taiba, Laskar Jangvi, Jaish Mohammad, Jamat-ud-Dawa and other radical groups. The Islamic political parties and Taliban have close working relationship to impose Sharia law in Pakistan to establish Afghanistan style Taliban government. Do Taliban or Islamic groups believe in peace by dialogue? There is very clear answer according to Islamic teaching “No” .
When we read Qur’an it says: "Fight and slay the pagans [Christians] wherever ye find them and seize them, confine them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush" (Surah 9:5) Contrary to Muslim rhetoric that claims Islam means peace, the truth is that the word Islam does not mean peace, but "Submission" as this authority verifies: "The term Islam in the lexicon of the Arabs means 'Submission' to God." One who accepts Islam and makes such submission is a Muslim. Such a person is termed a mu'min (believer), and one who does not accept Islam is a kafir (unbeliever). Hadith 1.24”
Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. It adds more in Hadith 9:50, 57 "No Umma (a member of Muslim community) should be killed for killing a Kafir (an infidel). . Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him."
These are comments of few famous Muslim leaders which are never denied nor discussed by moderate Muslim who appear on Western media to claim Islam as religion of peace. Such moderate Muslims are sponsored by Christian organizations, Think Tanks and Academic institution in name of Human Rights.
Imam Ayatollah Khomeni ssaid:
“Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword.' The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for the Holy Warriors! Does all this mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war? I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim." and "Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males to prepare themselves for the conquest of countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world."
In Ibn Khaldun, The Muqadimmah: Ail Introduction to History, Islamic historian, 1377 AD is written:
“In the Muslim community, the holy war is a religious duty, because of the universalism of the Muslim mission and the obligation to convert everybody to Islam either by persuasion or force“
Sayyid Qutb, Egyptian says:
"The foremost duty of Islam is to depose the government and society of unbelievers (jahiliyyah) from the leadership of man."
The Islamic Council in Chechnya, comments:
"the religion of Islam could be above all, so that all areas of life could be guided by Islam, and so that the earth could be cleansed from unbelief" (The Islamic Council in Chechnya)
Mohatir Mohammad says:
“The true Muslims have waged war while moderate Muslims are waiting to statrt Jihad”
But Muslim propaganda machinery in Western countries are making extraordinary efforts to change the image of Islam by reintroducing in 21st century as a religion of peace which rejects violence. Such moderate Muslims fail to issue any religious decree on comments by Muslim leaders given up or to clarify when Islamic history says:
“Prophet Muhammad used to send letters to the kings and leaders of the surrounding countries and tribes, inviting them to surrender to his authority and to believe in him as the messenger of Allah. He always ended his letters with the following two words: "Aslim, Taslam!". Which meant ‘surrender and you will be safe’, or in other words, ‘surrender or face death” So where is the ‘Peace’ in such a religion that threatens to kill other people if they don't submit to it?
After defining Islam and ultimate peace efforts through dialogues with Muslim world, we can conclude that a small portion of Muslims tried to present Islam which they termed as moderate Islam while majority of Muslims settled in Western countries never abandoned Islamic teachings. These Muslims have achieved many successes in Europe and North America by forcing Western countries to establish Sharia law for them. As a result of these Sharia Courts in UK, Muslims are dreaming to extend Sharia in limits of Europe and North America. Already, France, UK, Norway, Sweden and Netherland are on mercy of Muslim population who have been creating law and order situation by processions on issues like Cartoons or Palestine benefiting from freedom of expression and speech guaranteed under state constitutions. The Western world which believes in Human Rights and religious freedom rather than practicing Christianity have failed to compel Saudi Arabia to permit building one Church to promote interfaith dialogues while thousands of Mosques are being built in EU and North America. The Western leaders are also not successful to make changes in syllabus of Islamic seminaries in Islamic world where Jihad is preached as I have presented. In 21st century, Islamic forces shall not invade Europe like Tariq Bin Ziad because such invasion is underway by increasing birth rate and Sharia law by Muslims and decreasing by Christians which shall enable them to capture Europe by ballot in 2075.
Before postmortem of long march to point out how it shall support Taliban insurgency in region? We must know more about deposed Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry and Nawaz Sharif;
The focal point of long march was Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry, who was deposed by President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. We can doubt on sincere efforts of President Pervez Musharraf against war on terror but no one shall ever deny that he saved Islamabad from Taliban to enforce Sharia law by Lal Masjid operation. The demand raised in Swat Valley by Tehreek Taliban Pakistan in 2009, was being made from Lal Masjid in 2006. The Lal Masjid which was situated in heart of capital city of Islamabad and very next to military offices was running an Islamic seminary with enrollment of six thousand students who were openly operating Islamic Sharia courts and issuing Islamic decrees. The capital was at brink to fall in hands of this Al-Hafsa seminary students who planned to enforce Sharia law on power of guns like Taliban in Swat, Malakand and other Northern Areas of Pakistan but President Pervez Musharraf saved Islamabad and Pakistan from wave of Talibanization by a military operation.
Al Jazeera English TV in his broadcast of July 11, 2007, said “Parents are anxiously awaiting news of children allegedly used as human shields in the mosque” which clarifies that armed students were using same terrorists tactics as Taliban are using in Jihad in Afghanistan and tribal areas of Pakistan to use innocent people as human shields. It was surprising for administration that Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry passed orders in favor of Islamic elements of Lal Masjid who have established parallel judicial system in Islamabad and challenged writ of government.
According to agencies news release on July 17, 2007, of dateline Islamabad it was quoted “Expressing displeasure over the continued detention of surrendered "students" of Lal Masjid's madrassas, the Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered the release of all students”
Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda's second in command, released a message which included the sentence: "Your salvation is only through jihad", heightening tensions in the region.
When Al-Qaeda was warning violence in Pakistan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry passed another order to reopen Lal Masjid and Madrassa Afsa on October 2, 2007, which had launched a Taliban-style anti-vice campaign in capital, warning massage centers and music shops to close but same was being protected by supreme court of Pakistan which never took notice when students of madrassa were waving arms before TV cameras and announcing Jihad. Was Supreme Court of Pakistan protecting enforced Sharia law in Islamabad? Such serious issues created doubts on intentions of Supreme Court which forced President Musharraf to depose Chief Justice and to file reference against him while lawyers associations announced protests demanding reinstate of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry.
Since November 3, 2007 the lawyers’ movement witnessed many vicissitudes, ranging from incarceration of about 60 judges; stoning, burning, brick-batting, arresting and tear gas shelling on lawyers, disappointment when some judges took fresh oaths and left the struggling lawyers in a mess; reneging of the rulers after making promises to reinstate of judges; and even leaving its torch bearing leaders into doubt of betraying the legal fraternity.
They succeeded in achieving their motive within 4 months and 11 days when Chaudhry was restored as chief justice on July 20, 2007 but the president, in capacity of the chief of army staff, imposed emergency rule in the country and detained more than 60 judges who denied taking oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) on November 3, 2007.
On the same day a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry declared the emergency illegal and unconstitutional. The lawyers again spearheaded their movement with cooperation from political parties against the imposition of emergency. On November 5, 2007, police raided the Lahore High Court Bar Association and arrested around 800 lawyers.
Now view an other side of story, on September 7, 2007, Justice Shabbir Hussain Chatha ordered police to arrest Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz Sharif and produce him before the court, after the hearing in Lahore. The court ruled that "Shahbaz Sharif should be arrested (at) whichever airport he lands at". On September 10, Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad where National Accountability Bureau chief issued a warrant due to corruption charges made against him. After that, Nawaz Sharif boarded another airliner to be exiled back to Saudi Arabia.
It is very important to record political activities of Nawaz Sharif before we head to wards count down on long march led by him. Nawaz Sharif was never an enlighten Muslim but a fundamental Muslim which he proved as Prime Minister of Pakistan when approved Islamic laws in Pakistan. After proposed amendment, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: "I congratulate the nation on the passage of the bill which will help create a truly Islamic system.
The Economist (US) on April 20, 1991, published that “Although the sharia bill proclaims the Koran and the sunnah (way of the Prophet) as the supreme law of the land, many of the draft proposals merely emphasise …”
Nawaz Sharif, born in Lahore in 1949, his family, along with other major industrial families suffered from the nationalization of large industrial enterprises during Bhutto's regime of PPP (1971-77). Nawaz Sharif worked to build a political constituency that would punish PPP and revenge on its nationalization. When Ishaq Khan dismissed Benazir and her government in 1990, he again called a general election. As a result, Nawaz Sharif was brought to power in 1990.
Nawaz Sharif government's by Shariat Bill, which declared the Quran and the sunna to be the law of the land and theocracy was being established. A working group was set up to monitor and make recommendations for enforcing Islamic laws in the country. The working group adopted a nineteen-point plan that included calls for the implementation of all Islamic legislation, especially the laws creating sharia courts; transformation of the education system to reflect Islamic teaching; controls on the print and electronic media designed to ensure Islamic moral values; uniform and enforced prayer schedules; and the establishment of an Islamic banking system and the total abolition of interest.
Nawaz Sharif tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan expanded Islamic Seminaries which were established by his political Guru General Zia-Ul-Haq and fully protected by his Sharia Bill. These seminaries were openly recruiting Jihadi for Holy War and ISI was training terrorists in camps of Pakistani occupied Kashmir territory for suicide missions in Indian Kashmir.
countrystudies.us reported on Tuesday, October 07, 2008, that PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is playing a key role in conjunction with Saudi Arabia in bringing about a negotiated settlement between the Taliban and the Karzai regime to pave the way for withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. “Nawaz Sharif was invited by Saudi King Abdullah and he undertook the present visit to stay in Saudi Arabia for nearly two weeks to talk peace process,” the source said. “Nawaz Sharif is serving as a bridge,” one political source said and added the PML-N chief is an “old hand” on Afghanistan. During his two stints as prime minister, Nawaz Sharif had developed good working relations with almost all the Afghan Mujahideen leaders, who were now largely irrelevant because of the fighting strength of the Taliban.
Lets look into ousted of Benazir Bhutto government in 1996 and her blames on I.S.I. for toppling her, saying she had angered them by her refusal to recognize the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. Her military-backed replacement, Nawaz Sharif, extended the first diplomatic recognition to the Taliban in May 1997 and traveled to other Muslim countries in an attempt to persuade them to recognize the student militia but only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates agreed.
By 1998, Osama bin Laden was well established in Afghanistan after fleeing Sudan two years earlier. He and his network had set up terrorist training camps throughout the country, many of them alongside camps operated by the Taliban and I.S.I.
After the bombings of two American embassies in East Africa in the summer of 1998 killed more than 250 people, the United States tried to find a way to pry Mr. bin Laden, who the Americans blamed for the attacks, out of Afghanistan.
In September 1999, government officials said, the director general of I.S.I., Lt. Gen. Ziauddin and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was summoned to Washington. American officials told them Pakistan should force the Taliban to moderate their positions and turn over Osama bin Laden. Nawaz Sharif sent General Ziauddin to Kandahar to deliver the American message to Mullah Omar, who refused and next month, on Oct. 12, 1999, Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in a military coup.
www.adnki.com (AKI) reported that former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif did meet al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at least three times in order to get financial help, according to Khalid Khawaja, the former official with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In an exclusive interview with Adnkronos International (AKI), Khawaja, once a close friend of Osama bin Laden, rejected the statements by a spokesperson for Sharif's political party, denying that Sharif had sought political cooperation from bin Laden in the past.
"Nawaz Sharif met Osama Bin Laden on at least three occasions and was desperately seeking his financial assistance," Khawaja told AKI in response to recent news reports regarding a possible meeting between the two.
In an interview with a national Urdu daily, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and of the six party religious alliance MMA, said that Nawaz Sharif had repeatedly met Osama bin Laden who offered him money to buy the loyalties of parliamentarians in the late 1980s in order to topple the government of then prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Qazi also said that bin Laden was a big supporter of Nawaz Sharif's bid to be prime minister in 1990.
Khalid Khawaja's name resurfaced when US reporter Daniel Pearl was abducted and subsequently killed. Pearl had come to Pakistan and met Khalid Khawaja in order to investigate the jihadi network of revered sufi, Syed Mubarak Ali Gailani.
"Now after Benazir Bhutto formed her government and the opposition parties moved for a vote of no-confidence, Osama Bin Laden comes in a picture," Khawaja recalled.
"I still remember that Osama bin Laden provided me with funds, which I handed over to Nawaz Sharif, then the chief minister of Punjab [and later premier], to dislodge Benazir Bhutto. Nawaz Sharif insisted that I arrange a direct meeting with the "Sheikh", which I did in Saudi Arabia. Nawaz met thrice with Osama in Saudi Arabia.
The links among Nawaz Sharif and his support to Taliban make his role doubtful in war against terror in region while his sudden rise after long march creates suspicions. If International forces under new administration in USA and swift change in policy to end terrorism in Afghanistan-Pakistan are planning to use Nawaz Sharif then it is time to re-think thrice.
It is for notice of Mr. Richard Holbrook that Afghanistan and tribal belt of Pakistan are not Ireland where he dealt with Christian armed sects which were persuaded to dialogue in name of peaceful teaching of Christianity. The moderate or enlightened Muslims engaged to advise US administration and other forums are misleading which can result in failure of long term peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, it is very important to study volatile history of Afghanistan and interests of China, Russia, Iran, Indian and Pakistan in region. The stability in Pakistan is directly related to peace in Afghanistan which urges international forces to support government and Armed Forces to end terrorism in region and fear of terror around globe. Any attempt to bring new players in Pakistan shall damage war against terrorism because Pakistani Armed forces formed Taliban, so, let forces handle them under NATO dierections No one shall deny historic fact about Pushtons that they only sit for Jirga or dialogue table when under pressure unless never fear to kill. |
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Pakistan Court grants bail to Joseph Francis |
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Lahore: July 28, 2009. (PCP) CLAAS Director Joseph Francis was freed from prison on bail granted by Lahore Courts on July 25, 2009. His bail was suspended on July 12, 2009, in Lahore High Court and he was arrested in case pending in lower courts since 2006.
His friends and co-workers in CLAAS welcomed Joseph Francis and expressed their gratitude’s. (The detailed story is coming) |
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Will Saudi Arabia allow construction of Cathedrals to challenge Swiss ban on minarets ? Nazir Bhatti |
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Karachi: November 30, 2009. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC expressed surprise on statement of Pakistani representatives in UNHRC expressing concern on Swiss vote ban on construction of minarets on mosques and other Islamic institutions in Switzerland when construction of new Churches in Pakistan has to follow strict government guidelines which prohibits one furlong from existing mosque and use of loudspeakers.
Nazir Bhatti said “ Christ The King processions and other open rituals have been banned in public places from decades but not any Muslim human right activists have raised voice against government actions to damage true spirit of religious freedom in Pakistan but their protests in name of human right against Swiss government vote to ban minarets is index of substandard”
In a statement released by PCC Central office here today also urged Saudi Arabia to allow construction of Churches in kingdom to challenge Swiss ban on minarets.
“The Human Right activists around world shall raise voice to press upon Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries in Middle East to permit construction of Cathedrals and ensure religious freedom for Christian minorities” added Nazir S Bhatti
Meanwhile news agency Reuters have reported that unexpected vote and high turnout in Sunday's referendum gives a boost to the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP), a relatively new political force that has shaken up the country's traditionally cozy power-sharing system. |
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Pakistan Embassy in DC attempts to mislead Round Table discussion on Drone Attack on Quetta Shura |
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Washington DC: March 7, 2010. (Ahmer Mustikhan) A Pakistani air force officer who by his very looks is a Punjabi and most possibly an operative of the infamous Inter Services Intelligence lied at a gathering of intellectuals and writers in Washington DC that Pakistan army has never used U.S.-supplied F-16 jets and Cobra helicopters in the restive Balochistan province, scene of a bloody insurgency that the Baloch call the fifth war of liberation.
Group Captain Ahmer Shehzad, an air attache at the Pakistan embassy in Washington DC took offense to an event organized by a premier U.S. think-tank in association with the American Friends of Balochistan to highlight the dangers of Talibanization in Balochistan.
Shehzad complained that the Middle East Institute had organized a talk on "Drone attacks on the Quetta shura? pros and cons" that opened up a discussion on the atrocities of the Pakistan military in Balochistan.
The speakers included Selig S. Harrison, Andrew Eiva, Ashraf Kakar, and Baloch notables Maqbool Aliani and Zain Magsi, while professor Marvin Weinbaum moderated the Friday noon event.
The serving air force officer defended the role of the infamous Inter-Services Intelligence and denied that Pakistan military has ever used F-16 jets or gunship helicopters against Baloch freedom fighters, who are demanding a timetable for Pakistan troop pullout from Balochistan.
Baloch patriots aleege that paid agents of the ISI attacked an event organized by students at the Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology in Khuzdar on March 2 that left two students, Junaid Baloch and Sikander Bangulzai dead. Two others Bebargh Zehri and Malik zain Zehri were critical among the 35 wounded.
The PPI news agency said a spokesman for the Baloch Armed Defence Army has claimed responsibility of bomb explosions. Speaking on phone with correspondents at the Khuzdar Press Club form an unknown location, Mir Jang Baloch warned BSO Azad and the Baloch resistance parties in the Baloch National Front, that it will continue to target them.
The spokesman also warned correspondents not to publicize news of the resistance or his army would target them as well.
The spokesman said that they would offer more resistance and target BSO, Baloch National Front and BRP in every nook and corner of Balochistan
Observers in Khuzdar said the pro-Pakistan terror group is headed by former cartaker echief minister of Balochistan, Mir Naseer mengal, whose ISI links are wellknown all over Balochistan.
Group Captain Shehzad also misled the seminar that he is a Baloch -- he later told some participants he did have some Baloch in him.
"You can see from his face he is a Punjabi," said Rashid Baloch, presiding council member of the American Friends of Balochistan.
Group captain Shehzad conceded that Pakistan military has used rocket-propelled grenades against the Baloch and also admitted Pakistan treated the Baloch people unfairly.
Use of F-16s and Cobra helicopters on Baloch freedom-fighters have been widely reported in world newspapers, including the Washington Post.
In a report on February 17, 2006 the late U.S.-based journalist Khalid Hasan wrote in the daily Times newspaper:
Army heavily deployed’ to fight Baloch insurgency
WASHINGTON: According to US intelligence sources, six Pakistani army brigades, plus paramilitary forces totalling some 25,000 men, are battling Baloch Liberation Army guerrillas in the Kohlu mountains and surrounding areas.
This and other figures are quoted in an analysis by Selig S Harrison, published on Wednesday by the Washington Post. The writer also quotes the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan as having reported “indiscriminate bombing and strafing” by 20 US-supplied Cobra helicopter gunships and four squadrons of fighter planes, including US-supplied F-16 fighter jets, resulting in 215 civilian dead and hundreds more wounded, many of them women and children.
Mehran Baluch, who represents Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council, said Pakistan military officers are well-known for their lies. "They even deny there is a military operation in Balochistan," Mehran Baluch said.
The uniformed Pakistani officer further alleged that Baloch national hero Brahumdagh Bugti travels from Kabul to Kandahar in an M17 helicopter of the Indian air force.
It was not sure if Group Captain Shehzad acted on his own or was deputed by Pakistan Ambassador Hussain Haqqani. Generally, Pakistan military officers do not answer to civilian authorities and Haqqani is widely despised by the I.S.I. as he had formulated the idea of bringing the rogue agency under civilian control at the time of the first official visit o Premier Yusuf Raza Gilani to the United States in 2008.
U.S. scholar Stephen P. Cohen, who has a soft corner for Pakistan soldiers, felt uncomfortable about the characterization of the Pakistan military as "Taliban in uniform" and questioned the role of the Baloch chieftain in their drive for independence.
At this, Maqbool Aliani drew a parallel between the American systematic annihilation of the Native Americans on the grounds that they were uncivilized and giving a license to Pakistani occupation force for a genocide of the Baloch tribesmen.
Zain Magsi, a self-made technological entrepeneur, said the Pakistan military as it exists today was created by the British as an anti-people force to check the freedom aspirations of the people. One of Magsi's ancestors Nawab Yusuf Ali Magsi is regarded as the founder of the Baloch nationalism. He was killed in a devastating earthquake that struck Quetta in 1935.
The premier pro-independence American Friends of Balochistan in a statement released on the occassion said:
Let me first go to Khuzdar, a Baloch town about 300 miles southeast of Quetta. It is March 2, 2010 soon after dusk and one the largest students body, the Baloch Students Organization, is holding a Baloch cultural day at the campus of the Balochistan University of Engineering and Techonolgy, Khuzdar.
All of a sudden, paid agents of the Pakistani state, most probably the ISI, descend on the gathering and hurl three grenades on the cultural show.
BSO Azad member Junaid Baloch dies on the spot; another member Sikandar Bangulzai is wounded and shifted to a hospital in Karachi where he succumbs to his injuries. Both were in their early twenties. As many as 35 students and some faculty members are injured. Two are in critical condition. Their names are Beebargh Zehri and Malik Zain Zehri, a member of the central committee of the BSO Azad informed me on the phone yesterday afteroon.
This mourning apart, most Baloch are gungho over the prospects of U.S. drone attacks on the Taliban homes and hideouts in Quetta. They think it will be a day of reckoning for the Pakistani ISI and military. As much as some U.S. liberals dread these drone attacks, Baloch seculars say these are compulsory if the unfinished agenda of the war on terror is to be brought to its logical conclusion.
The relationship between Quetta and the AfPak war theatre is not new. Ribbon-shaped Quetta, the capital of restive Balochistan -- scene of a bloody insurgency that Baloch nationalists call a liberation war --, was once a part of greater Kandahar. It finally came under British occupation in 1876. Due to its geo-strategic importance, the British built Quetta as a garrison town. They extended the roads and railway network to Afghanistan and Iran.
Quetta is also the only bone of contention between the Baloch and Pashtuns, the two dominant groups that have a population of roughly half million each in the Balochistan capital. There are also about 0.3 million Hazaras, who are shias, and nearly 100,000 recent migrants like Punjabis, Urdu-speaking people and even some Bengalis.
More recently, Quetta has earned itself the dubious distinction of being one of the world's largest Afghan refugee cities. The refugees outnumber the local Pashtuns and Baloch taken together. Quetta was home to the present Afghan president Hamid Karzai for nearly two decades from 1983 to 2001. Ahmed Rashid in his book Descent Into Chaossays just two weeks before 911 Karzai was told by the infamous Inter Services Intelligence that he and his family will have to leave Quetta. He writes the orders came from none else but Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In 1999, Karzai's father and 12 other prominent Afghans were murdered by the Taliban in Pakistan, with the collusion of the ISI.
Quetta may now also imminently become known worldwide thanks to the U.S. infotainment channels and the datelines of global newspapers if Vice President Joe Biden's pet idea of drone attacks are launched there to take out Taliban insurgents creating a nightmare for the International Security Assistance Force in neighboring Afghanistan.
The Taliban are also bent upon imposing their own brand of Islam on one of the most modern cities closest to Kandahar. But don't get me wrong, western trousers are not the norm and even when male wear pants they get strange, side looks from other males in baggy trousers.
Chaddor is compulsory for most women.
Talking with me on the phone from Quetta, senior journalist Shahzada Zulfikar said officially the population in Quetta is still cited at 0.7 million, but the local municipal sources say they can add as much as 2 million to this figure., thanks to the at least 1.2 million Afghan refugees in Quetta.
The areas where the Afghan refugees live are Pashtunabad, Khrotababad, Kuchlak, Ghousabad and Panjpai, which houses the infamous Mullahkhel Afghan refugee camp, that U.S. intelligence says is one of the nerve centers of the Taliban movement.
The Taliban are all over the place, says journalist Zulfikar. He said Baloch nationalists and militants are today the biggest supporters of the drone attacks on the Taliban leadership in Quetta. Their main concern is not the growth of the Pashtun population, but because they are fearing Talibanization of the Balochistan capital.
The Taliban have made no secret that they want shariah laws in Quetta, and if they succeed in this goal Balochistan will be on fire.
The Baloch are anguished over the posibility of the Taliban takeover of their capital and openly stated they support the drone attacks. Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, president of the Baloch Republican Party clearly stated that drone attack is not a Baloch issue, as they battle the Pakistani army control of Balochistan. One of Balochistan's main resistance leaders Mir Hyrbyair Marri, who now lives in London, said if the U.S. and NATO target the religious extremists, who are mostly Pashtuns, the Baloch would have no issue. "Even if there are a handful of Baloch in the Taliban ranks, they need to be eliminated," Marri told me recently from London.
"The use of U.S. weapons would not be anything new in Balochistan," Hyfrbyair Marri said. "U.S.-supplied weapons have been used by the Pakistan army against the Baloch for many decades now. It would be the first time forces allied with Pakistan army will be at the receiving end."
He said this was the main reason why there is no much frenzy and furore over the drone attacks in the Pakistani media.
Marri has expressed his deep anguish over a report in the Wall Street Journal that said the Pentagon will transfer laser-guided-bomb kits to Pakistan. The WSJ report by Yochi J. Dreazen, published on March 2, said that Pakistan will soon receive equipment capable of converting 1,000 traditional munitions into "smart bombs." Marri fears the reconfigured bombs will help Pakistan battle the Baloch in Balochistan, not the Taliban. Many Baloch say the Taliban are a "B team" of the Pakistan military. They call the Pakistan military the Taliban in uniform. Despite these allegations Pakistan will also soon take possession of a dozen American-made surveillance drones and 18 late model F-16 jets fighter jets to help Pakistan military track and strike targets deep inside Balochistan, Marri cited from Dreazen's report.
Mehran Baluch, a younger brother of Marri, who has represented the Baloch voice at the U.N. Human Rights Council for a decade now, in a phone talk said Pakistan has used heavy duty ground missiles, traditionally used when two standing armies are at war, against the Baloch civilians in Marri and Bugti areas. He accused the Pakistan military of using incendiary bombs and phophorous bombs, probably belonging to the family of mustard gas, in the killing of former governor and chief minister ofbalochistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti. He said U.S. supplied F-16s with mountain capabilty have been used to target the Baloch.
According to US law (the Leahy amendment), no US military aid maybe provided to any unit of a foreign security force if there is credible evidence that such a unit has committed gross violations of human rights. Yet, military aid from the USA to security services and armed forces with a persistent record of human rights violations continues. Significant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in some of these countries are carried out or facilitated by paramilitary and armed forces equipped courtesy of US military assistance.
A wide array of U.S. weaponry for the Pakistan military includes Cobra gunship helicopters, that are being used against the Baloch on their native land, Balochistan.
Mehran Baluch said there have been widespread unconfirmed reports of use of anti-personnel mines in Balochistan.
In this backdrop, it is not only the resistance, but even pro-federation politicians like Senator Dr. Malik Baloch support the drone attack idea. When Secretary of State, Madam Hilary Clinton, visited Pakistan last fall, the lone voice of support for the drone attacks came from this Baloch senator, who is also the president of the Balochistan-based National Party.
According to Balochistan National Party (BNP) Information Secretary and former senator Sanaullah Baloch supporters of Taliban have captured land worth Rs 2 billion in the eastern and western parts of Quetta with the covert support of the Pakistani agencies to undermine the Baloch nationalist movement and promote Talibanization of Balochistan.
Baloch in a recent communication said several locations in the provincial capital have become ‘no-go areas’ where the Taliban and their supporters have consolidated their position. Baloch said the government was fully aware of the illegal land grabbing but was looking the other way as it wants to use the Taliban against the Baloch nationalists.
Baloch said the Afghan refugees, besides being a burden on the economy of Balochistan, have become the biggest cause of lawlessness and terrorism in the country’s arewise largest province, Baloch said.
To see what the Baloch diaspora is thinking about the drone attacks, I sent out a questioner on the Baloch yahoo groups about the pros and cons and also posed the question on a Facebook page of the American Friends of Balochistan, which has nearly more than 900 mostly Baloch members from all over the world. By the way the American Friends of Balochistan is a target of attacks by the Pakistani counterpart of Bill O'reilly, named Zaid Hamid.
To my query, an official in the education department on a condition of not being named said, "I am in favour of the drone attacks on Taliban in Balochistan; I am waiting for the good news of the drone attackes. But Pakistan is against the drone attacks because they have sheltered the Taliban leaders in the city and even in sensitive places like the military cantonment. The attacks will expose the Pakistani dual policies on Afghanistan and on the war on terror"
Said a second Baloch, "I think there should be drone attacks on Taliban hideouts. I think we all know Pasthun areas are under the mullas and we Baloch are very secular. We don't want the Taliban to take over Quetta like other cities of Pakistan.
Said a third, "We as Baloch residents of Quetta do not have any problems with the drone attacks as long as they are based on American intelligence and not on Pakistani information. If the Pakistanis are involved in this process, they would most certainly ask the Americans to bomb the Baloch civilian population rather than the Al Qaeda or Taliban strongholds."
Says a fourth: "Yes the drone attacks will help because Quetta will become even more like a war zone, like Bangladesh in the 1971 war, and more Baloch will join the freedom struggle."
Says a fifth: "I think these drone attacks will not help Baloch cause, but if they are done on Punjab they will help us."
Says a sixth: Drone attacks are good for the Baloch living in Quetta as it may force the Taliban, who have already obtained Pakistani documents, to go back to Afghanistan and prevent turning the Baloch into a marginalised minority. But it may affect the populairty of the Baloch resistance for siding with the U.S. designs in the region."
Fears run high Pakistan will use the drone attacks to target Baloch seculars.
Said one opponent: "Well, whenever the U.S. wants to attack surrounding areas of Quetta no one can stop them because Pakistan always gives in to U.S. demands. I think Pakistan will get the best out of a bad deal by misleading the U.S. and divert its anger toward the Baloch resistance movement."
Says a second opponent: "As a human rights activist I am totally against drone attack or any type of attack to any part of Balochistan.
Saeed Ameeri, a senior Baloch activist, now based in the Gulf, who had set up a Baloch government in exile in the early 1960s in Iraq along with another veteran Jumma Khan -- Selig knows them, I believe --, says it will be naive to think that Pakistan will allow drone attacks on the Taliban. Ameeri fears any drone attack in Balochistan will result in killing of innocent Baloch and Pashtun women and children. "Taliban are safe in sanctuaries in Balochistan under the protection of Pakistan," Ameeri said. "There is a danger that Pakistan will mislead Americans with wrong intelligence to attack Baloch sarmachars or freedom fighters instead of the Taliban."
Ameeri said he is with veteran Baloch leader and founder of the Baloch liberation ideology Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, 80, who said the drone attacks will turn the bleeding wounds of Balochistan into a cancer. Ameeri adds we must condemn any such attack on Baloch and Pashtun civilians in Balochistan. But people close to the veteran Baloch leader said he believes the drone attacks will not augur well for the baloch masses if the Pakistani military becomes a partner in the enterprise.
But Baloch intellectual Hafeez Hassanabadi, who has been close to Nawab Marri since his days in Afghanistan in the 1980s, says the veteran leader is against these attacks if Pakistani military and intelligence are involved but is open to the idea of U.S. and NATO attacks if Pakistanis do not have a say. This scenario is unlikely, however.
"Before an attack on shura, the Pakistani ISI will inform their 'friends' to move away from the targetted place," Ameeri said.
The governor of Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi some months ago said Pakistan cannot oppose U.S. drone strikes in Balochistan as Washington can do “whatever it pleases” because it is “paying money” to Islamabad. Magsi says Pakistan does not have an option in this matter. “You cannot oppose someone who pays you money. The U.S. is paying money to Pakistan. How can we oppose it? It will do whatever it pleases.”
The American Friends of Balochistan is deeply anguished that premier U.S. policy making and implemeneting bodies, such as the Congress, State Department and Pentagon, have failed to take the most important stake-holders in so-called AfPak region -- the Baloch --, while devising policies such as drone attacks. The Baloch feel proud of their secular politics and the myopic U.S. policy of putting all its eggs in the basket of the Pakistan military and intelligence services will gravely endanger the lives of the young men and women of the United States who are now serving in Afghanistan.
Through the MEI, established 1942, I urge Admiral Mike Mullen and Madam Secretary Hilary Clinton to personally meet the main resistance leaders Mir Hyrbyair Marri, Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch and other respectable Baloch national leaders such as the Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Daud and Baloch Nelson Mandela former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal to see what the U.S. options are in the region before the U.S. embark on a policy of raining drones on Quetta.
Without further delay, I urge establishment of the Balochi language service of the Voice of America. This will cost less than what it costs the U.S to maintain two soldiers in Afghanistan each year and will go a long way in winning the battle of hearts in a region of great strategic value.
Without taking these baby steps, playing cheap, down and dirty and launching drone attacks might as well backfire.
I understand even secular and nationalist Pashtuns also want hellfire missiles from the drones to rain on the Taliban which have destroyed the national fabric of Pashtun society; these nationalists have been turned into sitting ducks by the Taliban, thanks to the ISI. |
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One-third of tuberculosis (TB) cases go undetected: WHO |
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About 3 million people fail to access TB treatment under directly-observed treatment shortcourse (DOTS), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Control Report 2009.
Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of Stop TB Department of WHO, said to this correspondent that "more than one-third of all TB cases are not detected under DOTS. Some of these un-notified cases are never diagnosed."
Either the poor access to TB services in some African settings or people accessing TB services in private settings in Asia contribute to these cases going un-notified. There is a clear thrust to scale up new TB case detection and successfully treating those diagnosed.
"There are probably many more TB-HIV co-infection cases than we had previously thought", adds Dr Raviglione. "In 2007, out of the total 9.3 million TB cases, 1.4 million are due to HIV" says Dr Raviglione.
According to the new report released on World TB Day (24 March 2009) at the 3rd Stop TB Partners' Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, out of 1.7 million TB deaths, half a million deaths are due to TB-HIV co-infection, which is double than the number of deaths attributed to TB-HIV co-infection last year (one out of four TB deaths is HIV-related, twice as many as previously recognized). This figure reflects an improvement in the quality of the country data, which are now more representative and available from more countries than in previous years.
The report reveals a sharp increase in HIV testing among people being treated for TB, especially in Africa. In 2004, just 4% of TB patients in the region were tested for HIV; in 2007 that number rose to 37%, with several countries testing more than 75% of TB patients for their HIV status.
Because of increased testing for HIV among TB patients, more people are getting appropriate treatment though the numbers still remain a small fraction of those in need. In 2007, 200,000 HIV-positive TB patients were enrolled on co-trimoxazole treatment to prevent opportunistic infections and 100,000 were on antiretroviral therapy.
There is a clear mandate to accelerate collaboration between TB and HIV programmes at all levels.
"The incidence of TB per capita continues to go down since 2004 however the decline is just one per cent per year which implies that we will not be able to eliminate TB for centuries" says Dr Raviglione. "We need to fully implement the Stop TB Strategy" stresses Dr Raviglione.
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Control Report 2009 confirms the notion that there might be more than half a million multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases every year. "54 countries have reported extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) to us" said Dr Raviglione.
Bobby Ramakant
(The author is a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General’s WNTD Awardee 2008, coordinates the global Stop-TB eForum Resource Team of HDN and writes extensively on health and development. Email: bobbyramakant@yahoo.com) |
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Somalia and Christian Martyrs Killed by Muslims: By Lee Jay Walker |
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In some parts of the world it can be very dangerous to convert from Islam to Christianity, or any other faith. Sometimes Christians are killed by radical Muslims or sometimes by the state which sanctions death or prison. Somalia, like some other Muslim majority nations, clearly does not believe in religious freedom and the small Christian population faces an uphill struggle to survive. Therefore, it is essential to remember these martyrs because organizations like Al Qaeda would like to spread this tyranny to every nation. So why is it so dangerous to convert to Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, or any other religion, from Islam?
Firstly, it is essential to remember that religious freedom is denied to other faiths in other parts of the world. For example, religious freedom is severely restricted in Laos and Cambodia. However, religious restrictions in these two nations, and other similar type of nations, is based on political ideology and no single religion is favoured.
Yet when we focus on Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and other Muslim majority nations it is clear that religious freedom is denied because of Islam itself. These restrictions are multiple, and this applies to either radical Islamic organizations or because of state sanctioned Islamic Sharia Law.
For example in modern day Saudi Arabia the Islamic establishment will not allow one non-Muslim place of worship. Also, conversion from Islam is punishable by death and you are not openly allowed to read about Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, or any other non-Muslim faith in Saudi Arabia. These laws and restrictions in Saudi Arabia are based on the Koran, the Hadiths, and Islamic Sharia Law.
Even in more moderate nations like Egypt we see state sanctioned discrimination because the Coptic Christian community is treated unequally. This applies to the very basics of human life. For example a Coptic Christian male will suffer persecution if he wants to marry a Muslim female and in child custody cases involving a Muslim male or Christian female, the child or children will be given to the Muslim male. The reasons for this are simple, it is because Christians are deemed to be inferior to Muslims and this issue threatens all non-Muslims in Sharia Islamic based nations.
Turning back to Somalia it is now “open season” to kill Christian converts from Islam because radical Sunni Islam is on the march. Last year, for example, Sunni Muslim fanatics beheaded Mansuur Mohammed who was a Christian convert. He was beheaded in the most cruel and barbaric way and at the same time Muslims were celebrating by saying Allah Akbar (God is great).
You see, for rational people or people of compassion this act was barbaric and a crime against humanity. However, for the Muslims who did this they are following the Koran and the Hadiths and to these Islamic fanatics it is they who are following Islam to the full.
Therefore, Mansuur Mohammed had done nothing wrong in accordance to Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, or any other religion. Yet in accordance with Islam, Mansuur Mohammed was an apostate and despite him caring for humanity, this meant nothing. Given this, Sunni Islamic fanatics held him down and beheaded him while they were praying to Allah.
The last moments of Mansuur Mohammed were full of pain and just like the followers of Osama Bin Laden, the brutal killers video taped this murder, just like so many people who have been killed by fanatics in Iraq. Therefore, just like the complete annihilation of Buddhism in Afghanistan in past history, these Islamic jihadists desire the same outcome.
Sahih Bukhari recorded the sayings of Mohammed and the Hadiths are very important to Muslims. In volume 4, Book 52, Number 260: Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s Punishment.’ No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘IF SOMEBODY (a Muslim) DISCARDS HIS RELIGION, KILL HIM,’”
Therefore, in the eyes of many Muslims, not all, it is moral and right to kill converts from Islam and in nations like Saudi Arabia this is enshrined fully within the codified law of Islamic Sharia Law. Even moderate branches of Islam face persecution, for example the Alevi’s in Turkey and the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan are also victimized by conservative Islam.
Therefore, the martyrdom of Christians in Somalia continues and in recent times we have heard about the brutal killings of innocent Christians in Somalia. The list includes Mansuur Mohammed, David Abdulwahab Mohammed Ali, Prof. Da’ud Hassan Ali, Pastor Hussein Adan Ahmed, Faarah Ibraahim Adaaweh, Pastor Liibaan Ibraahim Hassan, Ahmadey Osman Nur, and Savid Ali Sheik Luqman Hussein.
Sadly the list will continue to grow and the aim of these Islamists is to turn Somalia into a one hundred percent Islamic nation. Not that this will help Somalia because just like in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the same Islamists will then desire to kill and persecute moderate Muslims or kill Muslim minorities, for example many Shia Muslims have been killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I can hear both liberals and Islamic apologists complaining about this article and the implications of what is written. Yet you have one simple truth, and often the truth is very hard to find. However, if any Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, or Sikh, went to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or Somalia, and they openly tried to convert people then the consequences would be death.
The Christian martyrs of Somalia died because they loved humanity but all that is evil in humanity killed them because they want to crush religious freedom, liberty, justice, and all that is positive in this world. In modern day Iraq the minority Christian population is trying to survive massive persecution and violence because Islamists, just like in Somalia, desire to destroy and crush all minorities.
Therefore, the Christian martyrs of Somalia are a testimony of the evils of a religion which fears the freedom of religion and free thought. In modern day America and Japan where I reside, people have the freedom to follow any religion or no religion and Muslims are welcome in both nations. However, in modern day Saudi Arabia and Somalia, the sword of Islam is still being used against converts to Christianity, therefore, how much longer can the world remain silent? |
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MEP Jean Lambert and Rev. Kevin Logan to Join Pakistani Christian protest in London |
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England: November 30, 2009. (PCP) British Pakistani Christian Association have announced to hold protest procession against persecution of Christians in Pakistan. The marchers shall protest in front of Pakistan High Commission in London and 10 Downing Street to present memorandum to UK premier on December 19, 2009.
MEP Jean Lambert and Rev. Kevin Logan have assured Pakistani Christian community to join in rally and support oppressed Pakistani nation suffering in Islamic Republic of Pakistan will join us at our demonstration at 10 Downing Street on the 19th December.
Meanwhile Daily Telegraph reports that march on December 19, led by the British Pakistani Christian Association, is being supported by Reverend Kevin Logan, the former vicar at Christchurch in Accrington, in his Saturday Sermon column in the Lancashire Telegraph.
And Salim Mulla, the chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, condemned atrocities against ethnic minorities and backed the protest.
He said: “It is shocking and not acceptable because everybody has the basic human right to live peacefully whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian.
“And I will support any action that is taken against persecution.”
But Canon Chris Chivers, of Blackburn Cathedral, questioned the impact of marches on community relations in Britain.
He said: “There are other ways of addressing these problems like getting in touch with the church leaders in Pakistan and asking them what we can do to help.
“Marches tend to inflame tensions in our own communities and can become ideal propaganda material for parties like the BNP.” |
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KT organize Workshop on Social Change and Development of masses |
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LARKANA: March 7, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Khaksar Tehreek (KT) Larkana chapter organized one-day workshop on the social change and development of masses regarding the capability building throughout different technical skills modern training and national awareness about the social services here on Sunday.
The Workshop presided over by Khaksar Tehreek Quaid Dr. Sabiha Arshad Al-Mashraqi and other trainers and speakers among Rana Ajmal Khan, Aneela Soomro, Zahid Ali, Abdul Qadir Sodher, Muhammad Nazir Ahmed, Sarmad Mughal, Abdul Latif and others on the occasion.
Khaksar leader Dr. Sabiha said that there are numerous challenges in our country and specially youth facing hardships of economy, unemployment, lawlessness, price hike, terrorism. We need a leadership like our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and on his footsteps to play our role in modern world for social change and revolution he said.
She also said that we offer a critique of existing conceptual frameworks for youth development, which we call the problem-driven and the possibility-driven approaches to resolve their matters because of youth are as second class citizens and barriers to fill democratic participation she said.
On the occasion, speakers of the workshop emphasized youth and masses to unite against all social evils and said the society need attention and development of education, added that the young people have a distinct capacity for facing life challenges and achieving positive development.
The people from different social and educational fields said that there is dire need of technical skills and know-how about the professional education among the youth of country.
The participants including civil society and NGO representatives spoke high about the law and order situation, human rights issues and several other matters by the social, political, NGO leaders, journalists, columnists, traders, professors on the occasion.
The workshop highlighted the capacity development of new generation with skillful and resource based trainings, participants stressed on the quality education and character building is the need of hour they said.
They said the training workshop would be an opportunity to develop skills and capacity development youth also, it is the learning process where the skills could develop and empowerment of society through a social change. |
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“Saleebi Kalemat” by Fr. Francis Tanveer spreads light, fragrance of peace and moderation: Dr. Maqsood Jafri |
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I met Father Francis Tanveer in Rumi Center Brooklyn run by under the supervision of eminent poet and columnist Mr.Ashraf Mian. I found him a convicted person. He believes in religious harmony and Interfaith dialogue. I have read his poetry. His poetry is religious and social. He is a practicing Christian, preaching love, peace and cordiality. I have read his Urdu book "Saleebi Kalemat" which in English means The Words on Cross. In that book I found the Biblical message of Love and Peace.
The human history is drenched in the blood of humans in the name of God. It is very tragic that even today the hard liners of all faiths have made God the apple of discord. Father Francis Tanveer spreads the light and fragrance of peace and moderation. He is a good poet and a docile priest with facile pen and sweet tongue. His Urdu poetry is regularly published in Pakistan Weekly New York whose I happen to be the Chief Editor. Besides his spiritual and human mission his poetry is metrical and praise worthy.
Dr.Maqsood Jafri |
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Peace in South Asia relates to Resolution of Kashmir. Peoples League |
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Srinagar: July 28, 2009. (PCP) Executive Member APHC and Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League Mukhtar Waza in a statement said that it is now a well-accepted fact that the peace process in the sub-continent is irreversible. It may move in fits and starts, but the direction is clear. There can be no denying of the fact that during the last four years, political initiatives – local, domestic, bilateral and international – have all been moving in a positive direction, albeit at a slow pace. There are a few remarkable features about this peace process, which have a bearing on its sustainability, that were not in evidence in the earlier initiatives. There is no denying the fact that there are a lot of complexities in the JK issue with the intra-state relationship between Delhi and Srinagar and between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad. These intra-state relationships are further compounded by the emergence of a host of political parties and it is only peace which can guarantee perpetual peace in whole of the sub-continent whose fruits are always sweet and beneficial, Waza said. He urged that without the intervention of civilized world the permanent, honorable and durable solution of Kashmir issue can not be choked out because present world is governed by open market economy with bizarre maxim in the race of the survival of fittest and urged the result oriented parleys with the sense of meaning in the ambit of tripartite nature because in the prevalent new world order one can not live in isolation. It is only the peaceful resolution of Kashmir which can ensure peace in south Asia otherwise people in the region are doomed to face nuclear cataclysm, Waza said. |
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Asif Zardari must fulfill dreams of martyred Benazir Bhutto. Naheed Khan |
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LARKANA: November 30, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Naheed Khan, the political secretary of martyred Benazir Bhutto, said on Monday that the President Aisf Ali Zardari and his government must fulfill the promise and dream of Benazir Bhutto about the 58 2-B and 17th amendment.
Addressing the 43rd Youm-e-Tassis (foundation day) by Pakistan Peoples Party, Naheed Khan said the Federal and Provincial Ministers must depend on workers and remain intact, not alone in the bunkers she said.
She expressed that all the party workers demands for immediate probe and wants to know about the killers of Benazir Bhutto, who snatched their leader and offered money or plan behind. She along with workers still waiting to identify and arrest those culprits, otherwise Naheed demanded if the probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto could not be reached at, all the workers will took to the streets and roads led by her she added.
Naheed Khan said the workers are depressed due to the inactive policies of government and current situation of Pakistan is not favorable due to the crises in Northern areas and other parts of country, added that the Pakistan Army in their own motherland busy in the operation against the terrorists she said.
She said the Party workers are unite but devided and confused by the present rulers policies, she appealed all the workers to protect the asset of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and her legacy. She said the workers should take steps of accountability and protect the vision of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto could not bow herself before the dictator of the country and step ahead for true democracy in country; she said her struggle and sacrifice for the country will remain in the golden words, who devoted herself for the cause of democracy and now there is a political gape which could be fulfilled like her braveness and acknowledged world leader she said.
She said the PPP government Ministers are responsible to protect the ideology and vision of Benazir Bhutto, she sacrificed her life and the ultimate result of present government she said.
Senator Dr. Safdar Ali Abbasi, on the occasion criticized the present PPP government policies, said the party workers has lost their identity and searching their files for their sacrifices, further added that the workers are confused and unhappy with party leaders and demands for real and true spirit in the Party leaders.
He said Benazir Bhutto legacy could not be fulfilled by only with government hollow slogans but their must be a true sense and actual ground struggle with letter and spirit, so we are protector of political asset of PPP he said.
Senator Safdar said there is a conspiracy and enemy elements for PPP and spreading the regional approach and nationalist, but the PPP struggle is a federal and democratic he said.
He said all the workers are united and demands after 43 years on this day that the party workers identity is in the crises that must be maintained and put together them in democratic rule he said.
On the occasion, MPA Haji Munwer Ali Abbasi, Advisor Chief Minister Sindh Ameen Mengal, Mazhar Ali Junejo and large number of party leaders and workers were present in the gathering |
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Pakistan: Sharia Act on non-Muslims is unconstitutional. Agnes Massey |
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Toronto, Canada: March 8, 2010. (PCP) Agnes Massey, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC Canadian Chapter said here today on International Day of Women that Pakistani Christian women are deprived of their equal rights and suffering under Sharia law.
Agnes Massey said “I predicted during General Elections of 1985, just after the Referendum of President General Zia ul Haq, who announced Hadood Ordinance through Maglis-e-shora. I protested from his stage that Chastity of Christian girls is not safe. President asked me what happened? I replied that due to Qanoon-e-Shahadat, if Muslim will abduct a lady from Minority communities and commit adultery, then evidence will be from Muslim side and not from non-Muslim’s side, which is very unjust. and burning point of the day. President asked me for representation, which I handed over to him immediately, who thanked me for quick response”
Moreover I pointed out to President Zial-Ul-Haq that Constituency for the National assembly is the whole country and for the Provincial Assembly is the whole province for minorities. It’s very difficult to reach to our voters. I further suggested that there should be a double vote system. President announced from Chitral ,that he is responsible for the chastity of ladies from the minority communities.
Then Sharia Bill was tabled in the National Assembly which was passed only by120 members while mandatory majority to pass a Bill should be 2/3 members.
So practice of Sharia Act on non Muslims is illegal and unconstitutional could be challenged and it's easy for present Government to exempt minorities from Sharia act and allow them to practice their own personal laws.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan, Minorities are free to practice their religion while according to the Holy scriptures Christians are not allowed to embrace laws of other religion. You advised me to send my picture of speech with this article which I already sent you last week. |
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Government begging for help after loosing war on terror. Mumtaz Ali Bhutto |
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LARKANA: March 27, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Chairman Sindh National Front Mumtaz Ali Bhutto has said that president rulers have displayed the immaturity to push the country into the foreign war and put the sovereignty and solidarity of the country at the stake. He expressed these notions in a statement issued here from Dahesar House Larkana on Thursday.
Ex- Governor and Chief Minister Sindh Mumtaz Ali Bhutto said now the Pakistan is begging for help from the International community after loosing war against terror in NWFP and Balouchistan, he further added that the rulers have inducted thousands of security guards for their personal protection, while they did not pay any heed to the security of the common men he said.
Mumtaz said the entire world has confessed the war against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq were being fought only against the Muslims by US and his allies. He said the rulers should realize the fact about the ground reality and immediately halt the war against own people of country.
He said that the security Incharge of Bilawal Zardari are those same people, who were the security Incharge of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, he prayed that may Allah to protect Bilawal Zardari’s life he added.
Bhutto criticized to the Nisar Khuhro on comparing MQM Chief Altaf Hussain with his late leader and founder PPP Z. A Bhutto, he added that he is trying to pave the way of his entry into the MQM; after all he thinks that the ship of PPP is sinking now he said.
He allegedly said that the track record of MQM has been unrealistic in the development of nation, as they are responsible of the killings of hundred and thousand people of country he said.
___Two abducted were recovered and three culprits arrested with Kalashnikovs after brief encounter in the jurisdiction of Baqa pur Police station near Larkana on Thursday.
According to the press conference by SP investigation Masroor Jatoi told media men that Larkana police led by himself along with DSP Saddar and SHO Taluka and other police contingent conducted raids for two day in the Baqa pur area and cordoned off the surrounding village and hide outs, where the criminals had kept the kidnapees Mashooq Bosan and Saleem Gopang.
Masroor told that Saleem Gopang was recovered and one day before, while during the late night police encounter with dacoits, recovered abducted Mashooq Ali Bosan from the clutches of dacoits and police arrested three accused Shabir Gadhi, Javed Chandio, Sudheer along with Kalashnikov.
He further told media men that the search operation is continue for the more arrest of criminals and soon they will be brought to book he said.
Whereas, the First Women Bank Cashier was hypnotized and looted 150000 by two old age women after change of cash.
After the 15 call, market police reached First Women Bank and enquired about incident, police tried to trace women at vehicle but they managed to escape from the scene.
While, the manager First Women Bank told this scribe that three ladies arrived branch to change money, when the cashier counted the cash after a moment the cash was short, but the women were escaped she said.
__Provincial Minister Sindh for Women Development Tauqir Fatima Bhutto said that women has an important role in the economic development in country and our heartland is full of rich resources like agriculture sector, live stock and other opportunities for women. This she said while addressing as a chief guest on the occasion of “Certificate Award and Tool-Kit distribution Ceremony” among 186 Lady Live stock Workers of Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot here at Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Library.
She said there is 52 percent women population and the services of womenfolk are commendable in the different field, she said UNDP and other organization to educate women in different fields of trainings. She said it was the mission of their leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. She said Lady Workers can work together men shoulder by shoulder for the economic development of country.
Minister said that in the rural and far flung areas our ladies working hard, so that the UNDP and Engro foods to present their proposal to the government of Sindh for the empowerment of women sector.
She hoped that under the program lady workers will be provided training in each and every village of the province. She said that the present PPP government has formed the policy for the welfare of the women, in this regard the microfinance loan facilities may be provided in the remote areas, so that they can start their small business at their home.
On the occasion Director Engro foods Shamasddin, Coordinator Sajid Baloach, General Manager Saood Ahmed Pasha, Project Director Mohammed Ramzan Buriro, Manager Riaz Hussain Shaikh, Hussain Ali, Dr. Rukhsana Bughio Live stock sindh government and other civil society also spoke in the event.
They said that the objective of this project to enhance income and employment generation of rural women through livestock skills development, improved livelihoods and food security at the household and community level. They said through a public private partnership between UNDP and Engro foods initiative program for the development of economic condition of rural lady workers to train them in Live stock. They told that program is running in 9 districts of Sindh and 12 different projects are working in the country and aim of the projects/program to control the poverty in the remote areas of the country.
On the occasion UNDP, NPM Riaz Ahmed Shaikh told that the project’s mission is to create a cadre of female rural entrepreneurs who are economically empowered and serve their communities to effectively address the livestock management issues.
___Working Social Welfare Larkana organized free medical camp for the skin disease patients at Global School new Shaikh Zaid Colony Larkana here Thursday.
On the occasion senior registrar Chandka Medical College Dr. Muzafar Hussain Shaikh checked up about 500 ailing skin patients from different vicinities of Larkana and provided free of cost medicines.
Earlier, Executive Officer Social Welfare Larkana Ghazanfar Hussain Qadri inaugurated the free medical camp of skin diseases, while on the occasion Ghulam Asghar Mahesar, president working social welfare Association, Munwer Rind, Ghulam Hyder Khaskheli, Imtiaz Jokhio and others were present. |
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Pushing TRPs Up For The Girl Child: By Anjali Singh |
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Lucknow: July 28, 2009. She epitomises the plight of girl children in India to the neglected, rejected, abused and sold off like property, "Laali", the character that Ratan Rajput plays in the popular tele serial "Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi kijo", has become an instant hit with viewers all over . No prizes for guessing why.
In Lucknow recently to promote the Zee TV serial, ‘Lalliya’ as she is widely known now spoke to Citizen News Service (CNS) about her experience of playing a village lass who goes through the travails that are forced upon a girl child in India.
“When I used to hear these stories of girls being sold off in marriage and widely discriminated against in their families I thought they were just exaggerated versions of village tales. But when I was offered Laali’s character I was taken aback at what was being described in the serial. I instantly called my mother in Patna in Bihar and asked her "kya aisa ladkiyon ke saath hota hai gaon mein" (does this happen to girls in the villages), and she said yes. That made me even more keen to do the serial so that we can tell people about it and motivate a change,” says the petite Ratan Rajput.
Recalling her shooting days in the villages she describes how the life of a normal village girl is vividly portrayed in the serial.
“I thought I would be able to act out a village lass quite well. But that was not so, every minute that I observed the girls there I learnt something new about them. The way they walked, spoke and even the way they played with their hair and scratched it was very different from what we see in the city. I tried to incorporate it all in my character,” she adds.
But did she expect it would be so difficult?
“More than difficult I would say that it was quite challenging. To put life into the Laali’s character feel exactly what she feels and get the audience to identify with the shock and pain that she as a young child goes through. Laali has changed me completely, she has made me more sensible. The life that I lived for two months in the villages roaming the gallis barefoot and actually trying to reflect the true picture of the life that a girl child lives was extremely challenging,” says the actor.
Nevertheless playing the character has been immensely satisfying for her she says, being a small town girl herself. “It’s sad that today women are women’s biggest enemy. Most of the atrocities that girls are made to go through are by women themselves. I understand that a woman has to fight for place in a man’s world. 'Magar purusho se hum apna haq tabhi mang sakte hai jab hum auratein ek jut ho' (we can only ask for our rights in a world dominated by men if we women are standing together and united)" she believes.
Food for thought though it may be to ask Ratan what does she feel needs to be addressed at once by the government to improve the life of a girl in this country? And pat comes the reply, “Education for the girl child is must. Wherever I went in the villages it struck me how much a girl wants to study but is not allowed to or has financial constraints which prevents her from going to school. So I feel that the government should do as much as much as possible to help educate them.”
While that may be a quite an expected response from the nation’s darling "gaon ki beti" (girl child of villages), steer the conversation towards a personal note and the response is just as stoic. Even when quizzed about Ajay Balara who, if the grape vine is to be believed is much more than her co-star. Ask her was that true and she surprises you with,"Ajay and me are like Tom and Jerry. We just go mad on the sets and like to pull each other’s leg. But beyond that there is nothing else going on.”
Hmmm! If you say so Lalliya.
And what are her plans for marriage? “Well marriage is definitely a part of the plan but I need to find the right guy first. More than anything else he must be a very nice guy at heart.”
So what’s her take on "Rakhi Ka Swayamwar"? “I Have not watched the show and I don’t plan to have a 'swayamwar' though,” she laughs.
We hope not too Laali!
(The author is a Special Correspondent to Citizen News Service (CNS) and also the Director of Saaksham Foundation. Email: anjali@citizen-news.org) |
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PFP demand release of four citizens in Pakistani Kashmir |
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Muzaffarabad: December 02, 2009: (PCP) The human rights organization Press for Peace (PFP) has called upon the Supreme Court to take notice of arrest of four innocent young Kashmiris in Pakistan controlled Kashmir allegedly kidnapped by state agencies.
“The PFP is concern on illegal detention of four Kashmiri citizens by state agencies from capital of Pakistan Administrated Kashmir. The chief justice of the highest court of the region must take action of such kind of violation of basic rights in order to protect the citizens”, the PFP said in a statement issued for the media here on Wednesday.
According to the details released by human rights group PFP, four persons Faizan Butt, Shahid Qayum, Ali Rathore and Shafiq Butt and were kidnapped by staff of security agencies in Muzaffarabad on gunpoint on November 21, 2009 and since that the related families of the abductees have no information about their whereabouts.
The Family members of abducted persons allege that these young men were arrested by the security agencies. They claim that the police have refused to lodge FIR regarding the incident.
Condemning the incident PFP said that this happening is an open attack on human rights and civil liberties.
“The concerned authorities must release the citizens without any delay and responsible must be brought to the justice”, it said.
“The Government of Pakistan is claiming the reconciliation on Baluchistan issue, on the other hand, its agencies are repeating the similar tactics in Pakistan controlled Kashmir to suppress and harass the public,” the statement further said.
The PFP demanded that the judiciary must take notice of such kind of occurrences where blameless people have illegally been detained by the state organs. |
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Sindh Ministers inaugurate Art and Science Exhibition |
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LARKANA: March 8, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Senior Minister for Education and Literacy Department Sindh Pir Mazhar-u-Haq along with Provincial Law Minister Mohammed Ayaz Soomro inaugurated Art and Science Exhibition at Government Girls Degree College and B. Ed, M. Ed classes at College of Education, while announced Muhtarma Shaheed Benzir Bhutto Elementary College/School Larkana regular classes here on Monday.
Provincial Minister for Education and Literacy said that he has fulfilled the promise of Benazir Bhutto to re-open 15000 non functional and closed ghost schools in Sindh. He said the deteriorating condition education in Sindh Schools is a slap on our society, while there is much difference in education system and they were not producing such results as compared to the other provinces including Punjab, NWFP he said.
He also observed corruption in the School Management Funds and declining situation of education and most of the teachers were not competent in their ranks, but they were politically recruited in past government or for drawing their salaries at home he said.
He confirmed that 60 to 80 percent merit recruitment was made during the recruitment of teachers in Sindh and the teachers training with quality and skill development is the objective of this government, he said the lack of training of school teachers and due to the deteriorating condition of education, the present government has decided to impart quality of education with trainings and trends of new concepts and good education to the teachers.
Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq said that the media and civil society should eye on the funds utilization and monitor schools activities all over Sindh and the Registration offices of private schools in Larkana and Sukkur will be opened very soon, while the scholarships by the SIDA will be offered those brilliant students who will secure 80 percent attendance in the schools of Sindh.
He said for the development of quality education in Sindh the salaries and scale revised as per new education policy and in this regard the directions have been recieved by the President Asif Ali Zardari to promote education in Sindh districts he said.
On the occasion, Law Minister Mohammed Ayaz Soomro said that the people should take step to the future and realize the experiences of past, he said political victimization discontinued the institutions like the classes of B. Ed and M. Ed were shifted to Sukkur and further started by the PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto. He said once the dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto once has been fulfilled and the male and female of Larkana will get their basic right of education from this institution regularly.
He said the present PPP government has given more than 50 thousand jobs to the people of Sindh and the data has been computerized according to the talent, while due to the modern edge the workers is connected with their Ministers by SMS their pending matters resolved easily he said.
DCO and Administrator Larkana Syed Hassan said the quality education for our future is a must to impart modern, technical and stardard education, in this way the Paksitan can develop with high quality education and institutional capacity in country. He said the opening of B. Ed and M. Ed classes is a first step towards the education and prosperity of country.
On the occasion, EDO Education Syed Rasool Bux Shah, Bureu of Curriculium Abdul Latif Siddiqi, PPP Vice President Larkana district Khair Mohammed Shaikh, Principal Elementray College Abdul Rasool Chandio, Principal Government Girls College Shabroz Sandeelo and others were spoke on the occasion. |
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ICOS Welcomes President Obama’s Sustained Development Approach to Afghanistan |
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LONDON: March 27, 2009. (PCP) The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) today welcomed President Obama’s revised strategy for Afghanistan. The announced shift from the ‘bullets and bombs’ approach of his predecessor to one of sustained development is desperately needed. ICOS field research in southern Afghanistan over the past five years has documented the devastating impact of the previous strategy.
“We hope that this increased focus upon training ANA and ANP forces, and the placement of more civilian developmental experts on-the-ground, will see a reduction in the devastating kinetic operations that have come to characterise the military effort,” said Paul Burton, Director of Policy at ICOS. “Should this new focus not be pursued vigorously, then the hearts and minds of ordinary Afghans will be lost for a generation.”
Although President Obama’s new strategy outlined the broad goal of ending the country’s reliance upon the illicit opium economy, the announcement was short on detail regarding how this will happen.
“It is crucial that President Obama breaks from the same failed counter-narcotics policies of the past, which, if continued, will prove catastrophic to both the Afghan people and the coalition troops serving there,” said Burton.
“President Obama can send out an immediate message that he is serious about undermining the opium economy by calling for the establishment of a Poppy for Medicine pilot project”, said Burton. “This project – which converts Afghan opium into morphine - will offer Afghan farming communities a licit income and cut off a key source of revenue for the insurgents.”
"We urge the administration to undertake a wholesale review of opium policy in Afghanistan,” said Burton.
President Obama’s repeated call for an international approach to Afghanistan is welcome, says Burton, but “must be heeded by European NATO allies, many of whom are yet to pull their weight in Afghanistan.”
ICOS has proposed a Poppy for Medicine licensing initiative which calls for pilot projects that would allow Afghan farmers to cultivate poppies for the production of morphine. This would address the global shortage of painkillers in the developing world and help diversify the economy of Afghanistan's rural communities. Afghanistan’s poppy fields now provide 93% of the world’s heroin, which continues to fund the growing Taliban insurgency. |
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“Life For All” announces to observe “Black Day” on August 11, in Pakistan |
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Lahore: July 29, 2009. (PCP) The Christian leaders of “Life for All” welcomed release of Joseph Francis and declared him an asset of Pakistani Christian here today in a press conference on July 28, 2009.
Mr. Rizwan Paul, President of Life For All said that we appreciate efforts of Christian leaders who worked and dialogued day and night for release of Mr. Joseph Francis.
Mr. Paul also praised the services rendered by Joseph Francis from 20 years for uplift and Christians and to ensure justice for persecuted Christians.
A delegation of Life for All also visited Mr. Joseph Francis when he was sent to judicial custody after cancellation of his bail from Lahore High Court on July 12, 2009.
Mr. Rizwan Paul also announced to join other groups in Lahore and Islamabad to observe “Black Day” on July 11, 2009.
The “Life for All” leaders also condemned attack on Mr. William, Coordinator of Islamabad PCC in Rawalpindi and demanded actions culprits.
Mr. Rizwan Paul, President of Christian human right organization based in Lahore, named “Life For All” was addressing press conference along with Mr. Kashif Mazhar, General Secretary, Amer Anwar and other directors to express solidarity with other groups to observe “Black Day” on August 11, 2009.
The President, Mr. Rizwan Paul stressed the dire need of Unity amount the Christian Community, he briefed about the renovation and expansion of the orphanage and the school for the Christian Children so that they can be educated and become a productive citizens. Currently there are 75 Children at the orphanage and around 500 Children at the School, who are getting free education.
The General Sectary, Mr. Kashif Mazhar also made an appeal for donations for the construction of the Church at Pind Dadan Khan as the foundation stone has been laid and the boundary wall is being made. The proper construction work is starting from 30th July 2009, he requested people to donate generously for this cause as the people of Pind Dadan Khan will not be able to construct the Church on their own.
The Coordinator Mr. Amer Anwer gave the details of the Church construction work being done at Youhanabad, Lahore. |
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HIV patients protest in Pakistan |
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LARKANA: December 2, 2009. Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Suffering from HIV-Aids affected people staged protest demonstration out side the press club for non provision of Aids related health facilities as promised by Sindh government and NGOs here on Tuesday.
On the occasion, Muhammad Bachal Buledi, Mehar Ali Mirali, Abdul Qadir Mashi, Muhammad Yousif Bhutto told media men that they are suffering from HIV aids, but the government and local administration have not taken any steps to address their problems.
They said that government facilitate them as they are effected and suffering from HIV-Aids, they added there is no any rehabilitation center as various boosting by the NGOs and Hospital administration.
They demanded of government to take immediate measures to provide health facilities and resolve their other problems otherwise they will continue their protest.
Meanwhile, Sindh Peoples Youth District Larkana observed black day and took out protest rally against the unfair criticism on Sindh Culture and Sindhi Topi (cap) here on Tuesday.
On the occasion, large number of activists youth led by President Saleem Ahmed Soomro, Fida Hussain Khoso, Shabir Ahmed Hajano, Bashir Ahmed Bhutto and others holding placards, banners, inscribed slogans infavour of President Asif Ali Zardari while talking to media men they condemned the PVT TV channel and its anchor on criticizing on PPP Co-chairman wearing Sindhi Topi.
They said that such act of anchor shows his narrow minded approach and bias with Sindh Culture and its people they said that we are proud of being Sindhi, they said that Sindh was first province which had passed resolution for Pakistan.
Protestors demanded from government to take action against such private channel and its anchor on assaulting Sindh culture. |
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Watson Gill to lead Social and Political wing of Urdu Church Holland. |
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Rotterdam: March 8, 2010. (PCP) During Sunday Services of Urdu Church Holland, in presence of large number of congregates, Pastor Eric Sarwar made announcement that Watson Gill will be leader of congregation in Social and Political services of Urdu Church in Netherland.\
Mr. Watson Gill in his speech presented brief of his meetings with Pakistani Ambassador in Holland in Shazia murder case. The video of his meeting with delegation was also shown to congregation.
Press Release
Pastor Eric Sarwer blessed Mr. Watson Gill as a Community leader and extended his support for him in future events.
Mr. Nadeem Din, Elder Michael William, Mr. Robin Javed, Mr. Johnson William and Mr. Serfraz Ijaz also shared about their previous meeting with Pakistani Ambassador in Den Haag regarding Shazia Bashir Masih’s case. |
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ROD activist of women rights attacked and implicated in a case. |
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Sargodha: March 31, 2009. (By Jawad Mazhar reporting for PCP from Pakistan) A ‘Rays of Development Organization’ (ROD) feminism activist sustained critical head injuries from the hands of Robin Alfred in a bid to broker a reconciliation deal, between him, his spouse and Children. ROD activist was immediately taken to Divisional Head Quarters (DHQ) Hospital for first aid. The sad episode took place on March 13th at 3:30 PM, at Rehmat Park University road, Sargodha, Pakistan Christian Post established from the well placed sources of ROD and family members.
Robin Alfred son of Alfred Charles divorced his Pakistani National wife Noureen Bibi before he left for Germany several years back, said Waseem Dean the brother of Alfred’s wife.
Waseem Dean added that Robin Alfred who inflicted barbarian torture on ROD’s women rights activist used to visit his Pakistani wife Noureen Bibi alias Noori from time to time and she gave birth to his two (02) Children, though he had divorced her.
The brother of Robin Alfred’s Pakistani wife said that this time on his arrival in Pakistan, Robin Alfred tortured his Pakistani wife and two Children ruthlessly and threw them out of house saying ‘Go and pool money for me to buy return ticket to Germany.’
ROD Chairman Mr. Ferhan Mazher told PCP that on March 13th ROD feminism activist Imran Mazher, Waseem Dean the brother of Alfred’s Pakistani wife and other eminent local elders including Dr. Rashid, Mr. Naseem Shafqat and Billu Thakedar were trying to broker a reconciliation deal between Robin Alfred and his Pakistani national wife Noureen Bibi alias Noori and Children.
During the peace dialogue between the opponent parties, Robin Alfred and his sister’s son Humayun alias Chhootu, Dr. Rashid and Billu Thakedar got fiery for apparently no reason, said Waseem Dean and Naseem Shafqat, and they started hurling glasses at them and left the peace process threatening of dire consequences.
Both respected elders also said that after a few minutes Robin Alfred and Humayun alias Chhootu returned brandishing a pump action rifle and pounded the gate of Naseem Shafqat’s home with bricks and stones and broke the security bolt of the steel gate and abused the family members and ROD activist.
Naseem Shafqat said that Humayun alias Chhootu and Robin Alfred attacked ROD’s feminism activist and thrashed him with iron rods and deadly Pump Action riffle butt warning to stay away from this matter. Shafqat and Chief of ROD Mr. Mazher said that this attack left two ROD activists injured including Imran Mazher with critical head injuries and Ashir Emmanuel sustained minor injuries. Chief of ROD said that both the ROD feminism activists were rushed to DHQ hospital where Imran Mazher is still bed ridden and under the observation of doctors of DHQ.
Chief of ROD Mr. Ferhan Mazher slammed the local Cantt Police Station officials saying they have not registered Case against the culprit Robin Alfred and Humayun alias Chhootu for inflicting immense torture on Imran Mazher and Ashir Emmanuel and ransacking the house of Mr. Naseem Shafqat.
ROD Chief alleged that Mr. Alfred has bribed the Cantt Police Station’s investigating Officer Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Shameer and he is continuously threatening ROD members and family members of Mr. Naseem Shafqat. Mr. Mazher added that Robin Alfred and his nephew Humayun alias Chhootu self-flagellated and obtained a fake Medico Legal Certificate (MLC) from DHQ Hospital and registered a fake case against ROD activist, Mr. Naseem Shafqat and Waseem Dean under article 337 and 34 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
ROD Chief urged that Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Minorities Mr. Kamran Michael and other Christian parliamentarians should look in to this matter and ensure that Cantt Police Sargodha does not harass innocent Christian family members of Mr. Naseem Shafqat and ROD activists. He also underscored that Christian Ministers and parliamentarians should ensure that justice is served to the Children and Noureen Bibi the wife of Robin Alfred. |
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Chief Minister stresses to eliminate corruption in Sindh |
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LARKANA: July 29 , 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) The Chief Minister Sindh advised the Anti Corruption Establishment to inject bud rampant corruption in Government Departments causing colossal losses to the province, henceforth the Chairman enquires and Anti Corruption Establishment informed that in a recent meeting of A.C.C-I, it was decided that civil servants who are facing the registration and prosecution in corruption cases, shall also be arrested for getting loss to the Sindh province and its precious resources. This he said by the Chairman Enquires and Anti Corruption Establishment Sindh Munawar Opel presided over a high level meeting with five District Coordination Officers of Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kamber-Shahdadkot regarding to review the progress of the cases and further its prosecution.
On Wednesday at Circuit House Larkana, ACC-II Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kamber Shahdadkot @ Kamber districts’ about 300 cases were presented on the occasion and DCOs including Larkana Mohammad Jaffer Abbasi, DCO Kamber-Shahddkt Zahid Hussain Memon, DCO Jecobabad Kazim Hussain Jatoi Deputy Director Anti Corruption Establishment Larkana Region Fakhur Din Abro, Circles Officers of Larkana Region and other concerned officers attended the meeting and briefed the Chairman E& ACE Sindh.
The meeting was informed that all 19 cases were decided for Challan, out of which 12 cases of Larkana District, 3 in Shikarpur and 4 cases were challaned in Jacobabad districts during the year 2008, while 5 cases were approved for departmental action, 1 in Larkana district, 1 in Shikarpur and 1 in Kamber-Shadadkot, in this regard 7 cases were decided to dispose of under section 173 CrPc, out of which 5 cases of Larkana district, 2 cases of Shikarpur and 6 complains were converted into the cases in which 4 in Larkana and 2 in Shikarpur districts.
The meeting was also informed that during the year 2008 the 67 complains were decided for departmental action out of 43 in Larkana 8 in Shikarpur 16 in Kamber Shahdadkot, meanwhile 38 complains were decided to dispose off, which 29 in Larkana, 02 in Shikarpur, 07 in Kamber-Shadadkot.
The meeting was also informed that 144 applications were received and decided by the ACC-II to initiate open enquires out of which 77, in Larkana, 34 in Shikarpur and 34 in
Kamber-Shahdadkot.
It was also informed in the meeting that 34 applications were received and decided for departmental action out of which 7 in Larkana, 27 in Kamber Shahdadkot and 82 applications were received and decided to dispose off which 79 in Larkana, 01 in Shikarpur and 02 in Kamber Shahdadkot.
In this regard all 280 complaints were received out of which 221 were finalized in Larkana region as per details received in official meeting said the sources.
Chairman Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Sindh has urged upon all the DCOs that they must ensure to hold regular meetings of ACC-II, so that the cases may be decided in time and relief and justice may be provided to the common people without any discrimination.
Earlier, the Chairman Enquires and Anti Corruption Establishment Sindh Munawar Opel while presiding over a meeting of Circle officers of Anti Corruption of Larkana region to gear up their efforts and after completing all the legal formalities, arrest the accused persons without any delay and FIRs may be lodged against such guilty persons at once.
He also directed them to work without fear and favour and show performance and provide relief and justice to the people without any delay, so that corruption may be controlled in various departments.
He also said that all possible facilities may be provided to the circle officers and their problems will be resolved on priority basis, the meeting was attended by all concerned. |
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Catholics fight over language used in liturgy: Bible quiz cancelled |
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MANGALORE: December 2, 2009. The Bangalore Archdiocese cancelled its annual Bible Quiz as the Tamil speaking Catholics and Kannada speaking Catholics had a raw over the language used in liturgy.
The quiz had become a vital part of the cultural events of the archdiocese for some years now. Thousands of students gathered from various parishes of the Archdiocese used come together in St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary for the quiz including several cultural activities like dances, drama and singing. The event usually comes to a close with the students visiting the Bible Museum within the Seminary premises.
This year the venue had been set at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Bangalore. And the Kannada, the state language, speaking Catholics threatened to disrupt the event saying that most of the prizes last year were given away to the Tamil Students. The migrant Tamil speakers are from the neighboring Tamilnadu, and the majority in the Catholic archdiocese while the native Kannada speaking people form the minority. Both demand their language to be the official language of the liturgy practiced in the archdiocesan churches. The fight has been on for sometime now.
Some priests who are involved in the controversy also had been arrested earlier for disruption of the liturgy and an Episcopal ordination. The priests who wish to have peace in the diocese say that the Quiz programme was intended to unite the fighting groups, and lately it had become a cause for division among the catholic fold.
The rector says that the seminary cancelled the event as the dispute defeated its ‘original motto.’ |
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Nigerian Jihadi Muslims slain 500 Christians in Dogo Nahawa village attack. ICC |
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Washington, D.C. (March 8, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that yesterday, Nigerian Muslims murdered 500 Christians in village of Dogo Nahawa, near the city of Jos. Most of the victims are women and children.
The Muslims invaded the village yesterday at 2 AM local time and slaughtered the Christians with machetes. In some cases the Muslims wiped out entire members families. They also burned down the homes of several Christians.
A local government official told ICC that around 380 Christians were buried in one mass burial space. He added that other victims were buried by their families and there are still bodies being collected. The official, who requested to remain anonymous, also said that police have arrested 93 people and recovered guns, knifes and other types of weapons from the suspects.
“The genocide committed by Muslims against innocent women and children is another clear demonstration of Muslims brutality and intolerance of Christians in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must bring those responsible to account for this evil crime against humanity. The right to freedom of religion must not just be written in our Constitution but must be seen to be in practice. We are appealing to Christians all over the world through ICC and continual prayers for believers in Northern Nigeria,” said Reverend John Hayab. Reverend Hayab is the Secretary General of Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State.
This latest anti Christian Jihad came on the heels of a conflict between Christians and Muslims in Jos in January of this year. During that conflict, over 300 people were killed. Over 13, 750 Christians have been killed by Muslims in northern Nigeria since the introduction of Sharia laws in 2001.
ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We condemn in the strongest words this latest Jihad attack against Christians. It’s both unconscionable and extremely heinous for the Muslims to slaughter women and children in the middle of the night simply because of their religious belief. This is yet another example of danger of Islamic fundamentalism. The international community must assist the victims and their families. Nigerian officials must be held accountable for their failure in protecting Christians from Muslim aggression.” |
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Bishop Michael Nazir Ali stepping down on differences with Archbishop Dr. Rowan |
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UK. April 1, 2009. (PCP) The divided Church of England after 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops on homosexuality among clergy was failure of Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan William as a leader to keep united largest Christian congregation of protestants around world. The difference on theology followed by statement of Bishop Dr Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester, on ’No Go Areas” in UK for evangelists and favor of Archbishop to Islamic Sharia Courts surprised Christian on shaky administration.
Bishop of Rochester and first colored bishop in UK, Bishop Michael Nazir Ali received death threats after saying that parts of Britain had become “no-go areas” for non-Muslims was living under police security.
“The UK media reports have hurt Christians living in Islamic states when newspapers quoted Bishop Ali as Radical Bishop” said Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC in statement here today.
Nazir Bhatti added “ Bishop Michael Nazir Ali is true servant of Lord and his services for Anglican Church shall be ever remembered weather he leads holy prayers or steps down for persecuted congregates in Muslim countries”
“The resignation of Bishop Nazir Ali shall be warning call to clergy who are abandoning true Christian teachings in favor of radical ideology under so-called Christian-Muslim dialogues” said Dr. Nazir Bhatti
PCC Chief said, “ Can Archbishop of Canterbury demand Saudi Arabia to permit building of Churches in kingdom after his undue favors to UK Muslims on Sharia courts”
Acceding to one UK media commentator Melanie Phillips said it was “a shocking rebuke to the church, that Bishop Ali has to leave his post of influence and authority as a bishop in order to carry out the church’s core duty to defend its own against attack.”
Bishop Dr Nazir-Ali came under Lambeth pressure to resign after speaking on Islam and homosexuality in light of biblical teachings.
Another media outlet reports that in a letter to clergy in his diocese, the bishop said: “I have decided that the time is now right for me to step down as Bishop of Rochester. I have valued my modest part in the life of the Church locally, nationally and globally.”
While a spokesman said: “Bishop Michael is hoping to work with a number of church leaders from areas where the church is under pressure, particularly in minority situations, who have asked him to assist them with education and training for their particular situation.”
Born in Pakistan to Christian parents who had converted from Islam, Dr Nazir-Ali is the Church of England’s first and only Asian bishop. |
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3rd August deadline by Chak Shehzad victims to burn belonging |
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Islamabad: July 29, 2009. (PCP) “If we failed to get justice for our three main issues till 2nd August, we shall set on fire our 30 tents and house holds on 3rd August” it was announced by former Federal Minister J Salik, after burning 7 tents along with beds, clothes, furniture and other hose holds on the same place in Chak Shehzad from where slum dwellers were evicted by a brutal Police action on 18th May.
A rally of hundreds of Chak Shehzad efffectees with their 7 tents and house holds reached the same venue from where they were evicted in result of a Police action 70 days back. Julius Salik Convener World Minorities Alliance was in lead. They set on fire seven tents along with beds, clothes, furniture and other house holds. Protesters were carrying place cards with pictures of Chief Justice of Pakistan and Great Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
A man in rally said talking with our reporter that it is J Salik who has cool down Christians especially youngsters in the touchy issue of detention of 47 young Christian women all night in private camps of Police after 18th May brutal action. He added that its J Salik’s patriotic nature that he is keeping the matter in low pace, so concerned quarters should take positive step to solve the issue at earliest before it is too late.
I feel very sorry to say that in last 70 days non of any persons belonging to so called human rights lovers, NGOs or Government officials appear to even utter words of sympathy to these effectees of such shame full illegal Police action, said J Salik when he was standing by the burning tents at Chak Shehzad, Islamanbad. He warned “If we failed to get justice for our three main issues till 2nd August, we shall set on fire our 30 tents and house holds on 3rd August”. And an other option is still on board that we shall give a Nation wide call for strike with the help of our Muslim forces, which has always sowed solidarity with Christians in past. |
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HRCP condemns attack on columnist |
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LAHORE: December 2, 2009. (PCP) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the attack on the house of renowned columnist Kamran Shafi and described it as a cowardly bid to stifle the country’s media.
An HRCP statement issued on Wednesday reads as following:
The attack on journalist Kamran Shafi’s house in Wah on the eve of Eid cannot be dismissed as an ordinary crime, it constitutes a cowardly attack on the country’s media, and a threat to all independent-minded journalists. Shafi, himself a retired major of the army, is a vocal critic of defence services’ role in affairs of the state and had suggested in a recent column that the country’s premier intelligence agency, the ISI, should be headed by a civilian. The columnist said he received abusive e-mails on this point of view soon after he had expressed it. Then on Nov 27, a gunman fired six times at his house late at night. In his complaint to the police, Shafi said the attackers were linked to unidentified ‘agency.’
The attack on Shafi is not the first of its kind. Several other noted journalists have faced similar threats and abuses in the past and umazingly the culprits always remain unidentified and go unpunished. Besides, the targets happen to be journalists whose views disagree with those of the security establishment. Not a single perpetrator of such crimes has been apprehended, which strengthens the belief that some rogue elements within the establishment are involved.
Whatever freedom Pakistani media enjoys today has been gained after an arduous struggle and it should now forge unity to safeguard that freedom. HRCP demands the authorities must hold a credible and independent inquiry into the attack and punish severely those found guilty. Needless to say, that in the age of information technology attempts to muzzle the media are self-defeating |
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Establishment of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto medical university discussed |
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LARKANA: March 9, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Chairman Sindh Peoples Development Committee Dr. Shafqat Hussain Soomro has urged upon the officers of NHA and Works and services Department Larkana to realize their responsibilities and complete development work being carried out in different sectors and ensure the quality of the work. This he said while presiding over a high level meeting regarding the SPDC at circuit house Larkana on Tuesday.
The meeting reviewed and discussed the progress of schemes in detail including establishment of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University, establishment of Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto, Engineering College Larkana and establishment of Industrial zone Larkana.
The chairman Dr. Shafqat Hussain Soomro directed the NHA officers to complete the survey work of the land that was utilized in the construction of link of Larkana-Khairpur Indus Bridge so that timely compensation may be provided to the land owners.
The chairman directed the highway officers to complete the roads and ensure the quality of work and according to the PC-I of remaining portion of circular road Larkana may be prepared and sent to the Government for approval.
During the meeting the representatives of NHA told that the work on 247 km roads costing Rs. 4.25 billion will be spent for the completion of roads.
On the occasion, Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana Prof: Sikandar Ali Shaikh informed that the Chief Minister Sindh approved an amount of Rs. 88 million land purchase for the University, which was enhanced by experts and revised PC-I of Rs. 150 million prepared and sent to the Chief Minister Sindh and he also demanded for providing regular budget for the University.
During the meeting the Project Director Qaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto Engineering College, informed the meeting that the college is consisting of 80 class rooms and two halls and there is need of two buses for pick and drop to the students of college and other problems were also pointed out in the meeting.
During the meeting the representatives of industry department of Sindh informed the meeting that there is a need of 500 acres of land for establishment of industrial zone at Mohen-Jo-Daro airport road Larkana after acquiring the required land the development works will be started.
In the meeting administrator TMA Larkana Ghulam Mustafa Hullio informed that the work of street lights will be completed in due course of time in this regard he has written a letter to higher authorities for release of funds.
The meeting was largely attended by MPA Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi, Ghulam Serwar Siyal, DCO/ Administrator Larkana Syed Hassan Naqvi, Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Abdul Fatah Bhutto, Ghulam Mustafa Laghari, Ameer Bux Gaad, and large numbers of concerned officers were present. |
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South Asian Outreach Ministry of the Presbytery of Florida on devotion at Palm Sunday |
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Florida: April 1, 2009. (PCP) The leader of SAOMP Musarrat Nasir issued a devotional message for Palm Sunday. In a message she wrote “As we are approaching Palm Sunday, let us remember what happened in that week. There was stir in Bethany and along the road leading to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Pass over. What is Passover? This was the feast in remembrance of the day in which Lord brought Israel out of the house of bondage after the first born of the Egyptians died. Children of Israel were asked by God to take a Lamb without blemish and scarify it and put some blood on the lintel and the two doorposts of their houses. And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt, but He Passover the doors with the sign of the blood. Those were the houses of the Israelis. Jesus and His disciples were going to the Jerusalem for this celebration of the feast of the Passover. Crowd was gathered, disciples threw their robes over a colt and placed Jesus upon it and the procession started. Jesus got the public recognition and celebration of His right as Messiah king. It was different than a coronation of a king. In their enthusiasm, people tore off branches from the Palm and Olive trees and carpeted the highway. There were three types of people in that crowd”
The ones who were overjoyed and amazed by His teachings and His miracles.
They believed in Him and proclaim Him king. Shouts rang through the air,
Hosanna, blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21: 9
2. The ones who questioned, who is He? They never heard of Him or never paid attention to His teachings.
Pharisees, who said to Jesus, teacher, Order your disciples to stop. Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out” Luke 19: 40
Let us ask a question to ourselves, which group do I belong to?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Who is the king of Glory? The Lord Jesus Christ, He is the Lamb without blemish, the lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world. Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb. |
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PMM and PCWO shall observe “Black day on 11 August” in Pakistan |
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Sargodha: July 30, 2009. (PCP) We condemn statements of Federal Minister of Minority Affairs Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti on different forums and his policies related to minorities issues. To continuous protest on whole week, Pakistan Minority Movement (PMM) organized a big Procession (Jalsa-a-aam) on 12 August, 2009 at Sargodha , Eid-Gaa Basti, time 6:00 PM. Whole program is organized by PMM and many Minorities leader of different parties will come on the occasion. This program is presided by Mr. Taro Mall, Chairman of PMM.
Chief Guest of this program is very respectable Political Leader Professor Salamat Akhtar, President Pakistan Meshihi League.
Other speakers of the day are: Suneel Waqas Chohan Chief Organizer Pakistan Minority Movement, Dr. Salmeem Humdard, Pakistan Iqlaiti Party, Danial Bhatti, Pakistan Iqlaiti Prame Party, Younas Iqbal President Anjuman-a-mazarain Punjab, Ashiq Bhatti Chief Organizer Pakistan Meshihi League, Sulman Rindahawa, Youth Wing , Pakistan Minority Movement.
Meanwhile, President of Pakistan Christian Welfare Organization (PCWO) has announced to support the idea of observing Black Day instead of Minorities Day. Mr. Shamas, President of PCWO said that all our sympathies on this occasion are with our oppressed and suppressed community in Pakistan who are being continuously denied of their fundamental rights. |
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PCC Lahore office establishes contact with EU, Canadian and Australian Liberal Democrats |
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Lahore: December 3, 2009. (PCP) Mr. Inderias Bhatti, President of Lahore PCC Council writes to Liberal Democrats in European Parliament, Canadian Liberal Members in House and Australian Democrats for support and better cooperation on issues of Christians in Pakistan: Mr. Inderias Bhatti writes,
Your Highness,
Peace and blessings from Pakistan Christian Congress Council, Lahore – Pakistan. It is one of the sub-offices of a Pakistani Christian political party “Pakistan Christian Congress” http://www.pakistanchristiancongress.org.
While being appointed as its new president it will be my privilege if your highness and your passionate Liberal Party of Canada share your shoulders and stand to me in my new political liabilities.
In a brief I want to map the Christians in Pakistan who face many challenges in Pakistan from poverty to deprivation where they confront exclusion, generational oppression, verbal and physical violence both at social and state levels.
Added to this are the general attitudes of authorities, law enforcement agencies and even the justice institutions that give continuous defeatism to the Christians particularly and the minorities at large in Pakistan that either make them snubbed or silence with bitter anger within. The helpless people vent their anger on their family, dependents, co-fellows within their relatives and neighborhood.
So division among Christians on the bases of various denominational identities, social status and other miscellaneous entitling have got the vacuumed anger which makes them politically weak specially while needing the neighborhood and community support in the issues of oppression and violence.
Along with it the fear of the few supportive people who keep silence to stand and witness the violence with a fear of being involve in false cases or of the life risk threats of the oppressors.
At this point I humbly seek your enriched knowledge, experience, dedication, passion, stand and shoulders which will surely enable our subjugated Christians for their equality, freedom, rights, justice, gain and growth.
I am much sure of your concern and sympathies for a result oriented change for the people of Pakistan.
May God continue to bless you with all the worldly and divine sanctions!!!
With prayers and blessing,
Inderias Dominic Bhatti,
President,
Pakistan Christian Congress Council Lahore – Pakistan. |
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Fear of Muslim Collective Punishment Grips Christian Villagers in Upper Egypt |
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Cairo: March 9, 2010. (By Mary Abdelmassih AINA) -- Fear has gripped the inhabitants of the upper Egyptian village of Sheikh Telada in Samalout, 250 kilometers south of Cairo, as they anticipate collective punishment against them by the village Muslims, in the wake of two sectarian incidents which took place in the village during February. They fear their fate would be similar to that of Farshout, Nag Hamadi and Bahgoura, where Muslims destroyed, burnt and looted Coptic homes and properties prompted by incidents provoked by Muslims against only one Copt.
State security forces have forced the Coptic villagers to remain indoors, and place a news blackout on the village. The presence of state security in the area is viewed with suspicion. Activist Mariam Ragy of the advocacy group Katibatibia sees in their presence "a way to keep Copts prisoners in their own homes and not for their own protection." Rafaat Samir of the Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization sees in it a slow death for the Coptic villagers. "Is the state security incapable of protecting the Copts so as to force them to remain indoors and abandon their work and schools?" asks Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub. "Is security so powerless every time the Copts are placed under siege by a mob imposing collective punishment on all village Copts?"
The first incident took place on February 2, 2010, when Coptic Zarif Elia and his wife were driving along the agricultural road, when they were followed by three men who stopped them and tried to rape his
wife, after beating them both with batons. During the altercation, Zarif hit one of the perpetrators on the nose, and fled with his wife. A few hours later Zarif was accused of killing Basem Abul-Eid, one of the Muslim attackers.
Dr. Ihab Ramzy, Zarif's attorney, told activist Sherif Ramzy of Freecopts, that Abul-Eid's wounds were superficial and that he died of natural causes, which he assumes was caused by the excitement of the
brawl and of chasing after Zarif and his wife. Zarif's wife was never interviewed by the police. In spite of the fact that Zarif was exercising his right of self defense, the dead Muslim's family believe that Zarif's family and the whole Coptic community should be held responsible for their relative's death.
Following this incident, Copt Ephraim Shehata from Telada gave an interview to Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub in which he warned of the seriousness of the situation in his village and appealed to human
rights organizations to intervene to lift the siege of the villages Copts. The interview was aired on many Coptic sites and Paltalk rooms which are frequented by thousands of Egyptians, including the Egyptian
state security monitors, who listen in to gauge Coptic sentiments on specific issues.
A few days later, on February 27, as Efraim Shehata and his wife Rasha Samir were on their way to work they were ambushed on a side lane by a man who ordered them to get off their motorbike. The man threw Ephraim on the ground and hit his leg with the baton to immobilize him, then started firing at the couple with a cartouche hand gun, according Rasha. She went on saying that she threw herself over her husband to
protect him, when they saw 4 or 5 men coming towards them, whom they mistook for rescuers.
The attackers assaulted the couple before shooting. "They were aiming at Ephraim's head, but the bullet went to his neck instead, besides the bullets to his side and abdomen." said Rasha, who was also shot
several times." Ephraim underwent several surgical operations, however, shrapnels from the bullet which went into his neck lodged in his spine causing paralysis on his right side. The police arrested all five perpetrators.
"While being assaulted Ephraim was told that this attack was in revenge for having published on the internet the case of the Copt Zarif Elia from Telada," said Mariam Ragy who interviewed Ephraim in hospital. Many observers see the hand of the state security in the attack on Ephraim, to penalize him for breaking the news blackout and as a warning to others.
On March 1 State Security arrested Habib Benjamin, one of Ephraim's relatives, for venting his anger by criticizing the behavior of Muslims after the incident. Coptic activists expect a repeat of the security scenario of detaining more Copts in order to force the victims to give up their rights to get their relatives released.
Wagih Yacoub is holding state security responsible for the present situation in Telada, especially because Ephraim had warned of the pending danger prior to being attacked. Yacoub sees evidence of systematic State persecution against the Copts. "Security agencies in all governorates are deliberately not protecting the Copts and in some cases even helping the extremists, by not penalizing them, and intervening only after they have finished burning and looting Coptic homes, as was the case recently in Farshout, Nag Hammadi and Bahgoura."
Reverend Stephanos Shehata, of Samalout Coptic Orthodox Diocese, told Katibatibia the situation of the Copts in Telada is quite dire, as they are frightened to leave their homes and are extremely distressed.
Commenting on the arrests of the perpetrators he said that even if they are arrested, they will go free. "Any one of us is liable to get killed and the Muslims know they will be acquitted," he said.
"We are very disappointed. The problem is that we all know the perpetrators will be acquitted. We all know that state security will detain Copts -- then comes the bargaining between security and the victims, in which they are forced to relinquish their rights to get those detained out. The same story then starts all over again somewhere else." |
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Security measure adopted for 30th anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar A Bhutto |
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LARKANA: April 1, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) District Coordination Officer Larkana Mohammed Jaffer Abbasi and District Police Officer Larkana Irfan Ali Baloch in joint press briefing regarding the 30th anniversary of Shaheed Zuflikar Ali Bhutto at Naduero and Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on Apirl 4.
In a joint address, they told that all the arrangements and security measures have been taken to finalize the programs of anniversary of Z. A Bhutto, they said 35 acre land have been arranged for parking of 4000 vehicles some 3-5 km away from public gathering, while the 60 shuttle (vehicle) service will carry all public to and from Naudero and Garhi Khuda Bux.
They further told that high security alert have announced in the district and deployment of 6000 police force from all the district of Sindh including Sukkur region, about more than 450 rangers with commandos will perform their duties from 2nd April.
The DPO Larkana told that 12 SSP rank officers will supervise and monitor the activities in Garhi Khuda Bux and Naudero vicinities. An aerial surveillance at the surrounding the Naudero and Garhi Khuda Bux will be carried out and monitor the activities, besides 45 CCTV cameras will be installed at the different locations of Naduero President House, Garhi Khuda Bux and its surrounding at Jalsa gah and parking areas.
On the occasion, Bomb Disposal squad, bomb detectors, scanning, jammers, 2 walk through gates with police vehicles and mobile will be setup to check and monitor for the security objectives. All activities will be monitor by the AIG Sindh and concerned officials on the eve of anniversary.
DPO Larkana denied any threats said that due to perceptions of terrorism and security purpose people should protect and monitor round the clock he said. He said in this regard CID and other intelligence services will also perform their Jobs, where the Deputy Inspector General-CID will monitor to the concerned job.
DCO Larkana Mohammed Jaffer Abbasi told that the expected gathering of about 20 lac, while the capacity of 3-5 lac people will participate in the public meeting he said. He said various medical and other welcome camps would be established and 60 fire brigade will be deployed at the various locations, added that the medical team along with equipped hospitals and ambulance services will serve the public.
__District Mazar Committee meeting was held under the chairmanship Incharge Committee along with Federal and Provincial Ministers, including Syed Khurshed Ahmed Shah, Agha Siraj Durani, Mohammed Ayaz Soomro, Munwer Ali Abbasi, Noordin Abro and several other party leaders and parliamentarians to finalize the arrangements of Z. A Bhutto anniversary on April 04.
On the occasion Khair Mohammed Shaikh, Mashooq Ali Jatoi, Nisar Bhutto, Anwer Bhutto, Asghar Ali Shaikh told to the media that the accommodation arrangements and other necessities for the caravans from four provinces, Azad Kashmir and different parts of Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sanghar, Tharparkar, Ghotki, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Dadu and others have finalized and all welcome and reception camps, party flags, banners have been installed at different routs of district.
They told that the caravans will reach from today and will pay homage to their beloved leader at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto. They also told that the SPSF and Youth will perform their security duties at Naudero and Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on 3rd and 4th April.
On the occasion the anniversary programs will start till dusk to the dawn with Mushaira, speeches, recitation and documentary film will be displayed, while the lunger will be distributed among the participants.
___Chandka Medical College Hospital Medical Superintendent Syed Mehboob Ali Shah said that all the hospitals including Rural Health Center (RHCs) and Basic Health Units (BHUs) of Larkana, Ratodero, Naduero, Garhi Khuda Bux and others have been put on high alert on the eve of 30th anniversary of Z. A Bhutto on April 4.
While talking to a group of media men he said the rescue centers along with 35 ambulances, 150 Doctors, Surgeons, anesthetics, cardiologists, physicians and other consultants with 2000 paramedical staff and technicians will perform their duties.
Syed Mehboob Shah further told that two well equipped mobile dispensaries have been provided at President House Naudero and operation theatres at different locations including Ratodero, Naudero, Garhi Khuda Bux have been setup.
He said that EDO health and Medical Superintendent will supervise all the activities in the district. He said the first time Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have been inaugurated at Chandka Medical College teaching Hospital after long efforts of 14 years |
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Women groups protest against Virginity tests in MP, Kerala |
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New Delhi: July 30, 2009. (PCP report) Women organisations in the country demonstrated in New Delhi today on 29 July 2009, against virginity tests in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala and the stripping of a woman in Bihar, and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister calling for an end to an assault on the dignity of women.
Women groups included The National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), All India Democratic Women (AIDWA), the Samvidhani Andolan (SA), Center for Women’s Development Studies (CWDS), Guild of Service (GS), Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA) Joint Women’s Program and Women’s Desk, CBCI.. CPI MP D Raja, civil society leaders John Dayal and Swami Agnivesh joined the leaders of all women’s organizations addressed the meeting.
Reflecting the tone of the memorandum, the organisations’ representatives said the virginity test on the Nun in Kerala and on 151 or so young women by the Madhya Pradesh government, the stripping of a woman in Patna and the anti-woman and murderous actions by various caste Panchayats in north India were glaring evidence of how discrimination against women takes a wide variety of forms.
In a shocking incident scores on June 26, when 151 young women were subjected to virginity tests by the administration in Madhya Pradesh, during a state-sponsored mass marriage under the Mukhya Mantri
Kanyadan Yojana. The girls had to reportedly undergo tests to prove their chastity to avail the governments financial. Such degrading treatment would not be tolerated in a sane society. Similar incident shook the conscience of the society where the CBI, the country’s premier investigating agency forcefully took a Nun for virginity tests when she was being investigated in an alleged murder case. More degrading is the use of language in the charge sheet filed by the CBI. It is insulting to the woman concerned and also reflects a
perverted mentality of the officials and needs disciplinary action against the officers involved .
Yet another shocking incident was in Patna when an young girl was abused, stripped off and molested by a group of men in full public view at a busy road in the state capital Thursday evening, where a police team was reportedly present at the site and watched the attack on the woman for nearly an hour before taking the culprits to the police station!.
Virginity testing is not only an affront violation of the fundamental rights availed in the Constitution of India but also various International Laws the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), and the Convention concerning Discrimination in respect of Employment and Occupation to which India is signatory. Virginity test is, predominantly women, and once again shows the subjugation and oppression of womanhood.
We appeal to People of goodwill everywhere to join hands to stop such perverted actions of the officials who are in responsible positions. We demand the immediate suspension of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and the CBI officers in Kerala, and the Bihar policemen in whose presence the girl was stripped of her clothes and dignity. |
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HRCP demands probe into firing on car by security forces |
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Lahore: December 3, 2009. (PCP) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over injuries to a seven-year-old girl in firing by Frontier Corps personnel on a car in Peshawar, and demanded a credible probe into the incident.
A statement issued by the commission on Thursday said: “The girl was apparently injured when her family’s car approached a security forces’ convoy. Amid a heightened threat of terrorism, it is all the more important that the security forces take every possible precaution to ensure that civilians are not affected by their actions. The government must immediately hold a transparent inquiry to ascertain what led to the tragic incident and how it could have been avoided. It must also ensure that the child is provided the best medical facilities and the family is compensated. The incident highlights the need for improved procedure for the security forces to distinguish between civilians and terrorists.” |
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Radical Islam & terrorism in the Balkans. By Lee Jay Walker |
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The former Yugoslavia was engulfed by many civil wars and during the mayhem and carnage it is clear that radical Islam built “a new bridge.” This “new Islamic bridge” was built on foundations which had already been built in Bosnia. However, the 1990s enabled this potent force to enter other areas and to gain ground throughout the former Yugoslavia and this notably applies to Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia.
Other areas of concern apply to Albania, Montenegro, and parts of Serbia (Sandzak). After all, if the Kosovo model is to go by then the situation looks grim in Bosnia, Macedonia, and Montenegro, because the Muslim population is rising much more quickly and the same applies to the Raska Oblast in Serbia.
At the same time, some Islamic organizations are intent on spreading radical Islam throughout the region and many charities and non-governmental agencies are behind this ongoing reality in the Balkans.
Chris Deliso, who is the author of The Coming Balkan Caliphate: the Threat of Radical Islam to Europe and the West, highlights the current threat to the Balkans. This book, and other authors and politicians who are raising this issue, should be listened to and of course each individual will have their own perspective on this issue but all will agree that this is a real problem and one that appears to be neglected.
Of course the issues are complex and you will have different fusions and factors behind each region but for Orthodox Christians, moderate Muslims, and other non-Muslims, the ongoing Islamization is a cause of concern. At the same time nationalism on all sides will continue to divide different ethnic and religious groups and this will merely play into the hands of Islamists who desire to spread their influence.
Also, of major concern is the demographic time-bomb because it is abundantly clear that the Muslim population is growing much faster and if no unitary function exists to bind all ethnic groups and faiths; then past events in Bosnia and Kosovo will continue to haunt the future and in time the destruction of Christian churches and communities will continue, just like what is happening now in Kosovo.
Chris Deliso comments about the spread of radical Islam because he states that “…..the proliferation of foreign-funded fundamentalist groups has challenged the power and legitimacy of traditional Balkan Muslim communities in unprecedented and often violent ways. Well-funded groups like the Saudi-backed Wahabbis continue to exploit internal schisms within local communities, while the international administrations in Bosnia and Kosovo have actually strengthened the grip of local mafia groups–business partners of terrorists.”
“Worst of all, the Western peacekeepers’ chronic “don’t rock the boat” mentality has allowed extremist groups to operate unchallenged. Nevertheless, regional demographic and cultural trends, coinciding with an increasingly hostile attitude in the larger Muslim world over Western military actions and perceived symbolic provocations, indicate that the lawless Balkans will become increasingly valuable as a strategic base for Islamic radicals over the next two decades. Utilizing the post-al-Qaeda tactics of a decentralized jihad carried out through small, independent cells (“leaderless resistance”) while seeking to fundamentally and violently remold Muslim societies, such Balkan-based extremists pose a unique and tangible threat to Western security.”
If we turn the clock back and focus on Alija Izetbegovic it is clear that he had stated that he believed in an Islamic state and he clearly welcomed radical Islamists into Bosnia. The former leader was instrumental in helping to spread radical Islam because in his book The Islamic Declaration it is clear that Izetbegovic desired an Islamic state and pictures show him smiling with radical Islamists who were bent on slitting the throats of Christians.
Izetbegovic stated that “… Muslim nations will never accept anything that is explicitly against Islam, because Islam here is not merely a faith and the law, Islam has become love and compassion. He who rises against Islam will reap nothing but hate and resistance. …”
Note how Izetbegovic states “Islam has become love and compassion” and then continues that “He who rises against Islam will reap nothing but hate and resistance……” and this is a clear sign that he was never interested in sharing power but on the contrary, he was warning others that you either accept Islamic power or you will face resistance and death.
Izetbegovic also stated that “… In perspective, there is but one way out in sight: creation and gathering of a new intelligence which thinks and feels along Islamic lines. This intelligence would then raise the flag of the Islamic order and together with the Muslim masses embark into action to implement this order. …”
“… The upbringing of the nation, and especially the mass media – the press, TV and film – should be in the hands of people whose Islamic moral and intellectual authority is undisputed. …”
Again it is clear by this statement that Izetbegovic was not interested in democracy because he desired to control the mass media and regulate society in accordance with Islam. Therefore, what hope for the Christian majority in Bosnia (may soon become a minority because of the Muslim higher birth rate) and for liberal Muslims or non-religious people?
In the next quote Izetbegovic sounds like Osama Bin Laden or the Muslim Brotherhood because he states that “… the Islamic movement should and must start taking over the power as soon as it is morally and numerically strong enough to not only overthrow the existing non-Islamic, but also to build up a new Islamic authority. …”
“… In one of the thesis for an Islamic order today we have stated that it is a natural function of the Islamic order to gather all Muslims and Muslim communities throughout the world into one. Under present conditions, this desire means a struggle for creating a great Islamic federation from Morocco to Indonesia, from the tropical Africa to the Central Asia. …”
Therefore, it is clear that Izetbegovic desired an Islamic state and this Islamic state was not aimed at only Bosnia but according to him it applied to one pan-Islamic federation from “Morocco to Indonesia, from the tropical Africa to the Central Asia….”
Today many Islamic charities and organizations are intent on spreading the same philosophy in the Balkans and terror networks are operating under surveillance but they are still operating. The dream of Izetbegovic and his lack of concern for the various Christian communities and other minorities are clear for all to see and while he may have died it is obvious that other Islamists share the same vision.
Lee Jay Walker is the Tokyo correspondent for The Seoul Times |
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Solve Kashmir, harvest peace |
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Srinagar: April 2, 2009. Hurriyat Executive and Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir People League Mukhtar Ahmad Waza in a statement has said that in view of present economic world situation it is obligatory upon those developed countries who claim to be the champions of democracy to help for ending up all the predicaments and core issues which exist on the globe. Taking stock of the Asian situation the two core issues Palestine and Kashmir are the bone of contention between various countries , which need to be addressed -so as to give peace a chance to prevail , no matter India is a young democracy and Pakistan is trying to establish the institutions of democracy firmly -the balance of power between Indian and Pakistan is apposite` therefore both the countries must learn to live like responsible neighbors and not to give third country to haunt their state affair - who comes with the vested interests : for that both the countries are urged upon to develop a mechanism- so that an amicable, acceptable and durable solution of Kashmir is evolved: which will respect the sentiments, and aspirations of common stock of people of Jammu Kashmir, Waza said. Mukhtar maintained that it is only peace which can ensure sustainable development in the region, so far as peace is concerned it is to be evolved in Kashmir out of the situation but not to be imposed . |
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Breaking News: Muslims set on fire 40 Christian Homes, Children and Women burnt to death |
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Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan: July 31, 2009. (PCP report) Many Children and Women are feared burnt to death in 40 homes of Christians set on fire by Muslim attackers in village Korian in district Toba Tek, Punjab.
The Faisalabad-Gojra Road is blocked by Muslim mob who are lying on road to block any help to reach village Korian where homes of Christians are burning.
The teams of CLAAS and SLMP have left Lahore for Toba Tek after call from Christians in Gojra who are also hiding in homes on fear of attack by Muslims.
According to PCP sources in Toba Tek, which is also district headquarter, there was a marriage cermony of a Christian in village Korian on Sunday where large gathering of Children, Women and Men of relatives were present for celebration.
The Muslim accused one boy in home of marriage cermony that he have burnt down the pages of Holy Koran. The elders of Christians and Muslims in village met to defuse tension on clarification of christian youth that he have not burnt pages of Koran.
On night of July 30, 2009, at 9:00 PM the Muslims of Village Korian announced on loudspeakers of mosque to gather and teach lesson to infidel Christians who are protecting accused of blasphemy on burning holy pages of Koran.
The nearby villages also made same announcements from mosque and Muslims gathered before homes of Christians in large numbers.
“Allha Oh Akbar” “Kill infidels” and Muslim mob started setting on fire homes of Christians. As it was night the Christian Children, Women and Men with fear locked their doors to hide inside.
According to PCP, many Children, Women and Men are also burnet to death inside homes. When news of attack on Christians came to District Police Officer in Toba Tek, he ordered deployment of police and Fire Brigade but Muslim mob blocked roads by lying on road.
It is second incident of burning homes of Christian in Punjab province when Muslim mob on accusation of blasphemy attacked village Bahamin Wala in district Kasur on July 1, 2009.
According to Pakistan electronic media, Chief Minister of Punjab have ordered DPO Toba Tek to reach to village Korian and take control of situation but still Faisalabad-Gojra Road is blocked by Muslims.
Talking to PCP, CLAAS Director Joseph Francis and SLMP Chief Sohail Johnson told PCP that they on way to Gojra to reach Village Korian and it will take 4 hours because weather is not good.
There is widespread fear among Christians in Punjab province on safty and security of life from attacks of extremist Muslims and misuse of blasphemy laws.
The details are awaited of this barbaric incident of burning Children, Women and Men in homes by Muslims as SLMP and CLASS teams approach the secne of incident. |
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Join prayers for forgiveness to Muslims at Harrow Civic Center |
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UK: December 4, 2009. (PCP) Mr. Stephen Gash, who is leading a movement “Stop Islamisation Of Europe” have invited Christians to join a prayer crusade for Forgiveness to Muslims who are Persecuting Christians in Islamic countries.
The SIOE will also stage a demonstration in front of Harrow’s Civic Centre on 13th December at 14.00 but an area will be set aside for prayers to be held and time allotted for this
The Christian speakers to describe the persecution being carried out against Christians in Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Egypt, Iran and Nigeria are invited to contact Mr. Gash.
The SIOE handout reads as:
Why is none of these men a Muslim?
The answer each man gives is guaranteed to incense Muslims.
n fact, the mere presence of Christians in Muslim countries appears to incense Muslims.
This leads to persecution of Christian minorities.
Serious persecution of Christians in Islamic countries – video
Christians persecuted in Iraq – video
Malaysia: Muslim Persecution of Christians – video
Pakistan: Christians terrorized by Muslims – video
Help Iran’s persecuted Christians – video
Christians in Somalia – video
Christian Persecution in Nigeria –video
Persecuted Christians – Sudan – video
It is true that Christians are persecuted in other countries, but Islamic countries more often than not are top of the list for persecuting Christians
It is sad, but true, that oppression of Christians is taught in the mosques in Islamic countries.
Extreme Christians are those who are fed to lions or crucified while forgiving those feeding them to lions or crucifying them.
For one reason or another there are few extreme Christians. They are either dead or fail to live up to the ultimate sacrifice for their faith.
Nevertheless, Christians are suffering in Muslim countries and Christians fortunate enough to live in Western democracies may show their concern by praying for those doing the persecuting and their victims.
It doesn’t matter what others may say, follow your Christian conscience and pray for their salvation. |
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India Create Hurdle In Resolving Kashmir Issue: Chairman Peoples League |
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Srinagar: March 10, 2010. (PCP) Senior Hurriyat Leader and Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Sheikh Mohammad Yaqoob in a statement has said that India’s stubbornness on Kashmir is the main impediment to settle the long-standing dispute. Sheikh Yaqoob reiterated that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of Kashmiris is vital to peace and stability in South Asia. Yaqoob maintained that the relations between Pakistan and India could only be normalized through the amicable solution of the long-standing dispute. Yaqoob said that India had adopted a dual policy as, on the one hand, it showed readiness for dialogue on he Kashmir dispute, while, on the other, it was trying to quell the ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir through use of brute force.
Sheikh Yaqoob also condemns the gross human rights violation in Kashmir, and called on HR bodies to help the people of Kashmir on this critical situation. He said that India is just playing game and until India plays game, the peace will be a dream. He said that killing of innocent civilians, rape, torture and extra judicial killings by military forces must stop in Kashmir. He said that Kashmir issue can be resolved only if India accepts the UN resolutions and let the people of Kashmir decide their future according to UN resolutions.
Sheikh Mohammad Yaqoob called for UN investigation for war crimes against Indian army in Kashmir. He said that India has committed war crimes in Kashmir, and these crimes must be investigated by World body. He said that killings are still going on and only way we can stop these killing is to raise the issue in UN. |
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Millions to participate in anniversary, PPP workers believe in legacy of Zulifiqar Bhutto ; Naheed Khan |
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LARKANA: March 2, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) The 30th death anniversary of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder and former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will be observed throughout the country on Saturday, where the millions of people across the country will pay tribute to their late leader at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and Naudero.
Before this, Central Executive meeting will be held at 3rd April and later the anniversary programs will start late night.
On the occasion a documentary video will be displayed at public meeting Garhi Khuda Bux a native village of Bhutto’s family.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (S.B) Chairperson Ghinwa Bhutto will also arrange a public meeting, while the PPP workers and leaders caravan s of both fractions, arriving in Larkana from the interior of Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan and Azad Kashmir.
PPP will arrange recitation, naats and a mushahira and speeches, while the all party workers and leaders will observe two minutes calmness here at public meeting.
The candle lit rallies will also be took out PPP leaders heaped praise on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for his services to the party and the country.
On the eve of anniversary main program will be held at newly established 100 ft stage along with ladies and press gallery also setup.
In a Jalsagah about 100 thousand million
On the occasion security has been beefed up and about 10000 police and rangers deployed in all over for.
The PPP leaders including the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Central Secretary General Jehangir Badr, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, Federal and Provincial Ministers Khurshed Ahmed Shah, Agha Siraj Durani and several PPP MNA and MPAs will participate and offered Fateha on the martyred graves.
_Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said strict security measures were made on the occasion, 30th death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to be held at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on 4th April 2009.
He said after offering Fateha on the Mazars of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Rani Mohtarma Benaizr Bhutto, Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto, Begum Shireen Ameer Bhutto and laid floral wreaths on the Mazars of Shaheeds at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
On the occasion, Provincial Ministers Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Agha Siraj Durani, Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Ambassador of Pakistan in UAE Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Dr. Shafqat Soomro, Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Taluka Nazim Larkana Yasir Junejo, RPO Sukkur Muhammad Ramzan Channa, DIG Sanaullah Abbasi, DCO Larkana Muhammad Jaffar Abbasi, DPO Irfan Balouch and PPP leaders, workers were present in a large number.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the Jalsa and Mushaira and Quran Khuawani will also be held at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and President House Naudero, he hoped that the lakhs of people from nock and corner of the country will come to pay rich tributes to their leaders Qaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Chief Minister said that the accommodation facilities may be provided, drinking water facilities are available at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and parking place for vehicles also set up in separate place.
He said that the lunger will be distributed among the people. He also said that the jobs opportunities will be provided to educated youths without any discrimination. The Chief Minister visited development works in front the Mazar of Shaheed Rani Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and at President house Naudero.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah also said that PARCO Authority was directed to purchase the paddy from Larkana, Kamber Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad and Kashmore at Kandhot districts without any delay.
Chief Minister also said that the wheat procurement centers were already set up through out province during Rabi crop and it will purchase on fixed price Rs. 950/- per 40 Kgs.
He said that the affected districts regarding damages of paddy crop were already notified for the remission of land revenue/Abiana and others government dues. Besides, the recovery of agriculture loan has been postponed for two years.
_ Former political secretary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Naheed Khan on Thursday said the real workers of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) believe in the legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir they devoted themselves for democracy in country.
Naheed Khan was addressing a huge rally during arrival at Naudero from Sukkur Airport at evening, where the She was along with Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi first time was accorded warm welcomed by the large number of people.
Naheed Khan said according to the philosophy of Z. A Bhutto that real power is the masses of country and the PPP is a grass root level party and Ministers and elected people should respect the party workers. She said the masses elected the members in Assembly to protect their rights, instead of serving the people they are treated as their servant.
She lauded the workers and their dedicative efforts for the democracy and party objective. She said the ministers should realize that they have been elected by their votes of people.
Naheed said that we did not harm the party and will not allow any one to damage the party, added that we are the followers of Z A Bhutto and companion of Benazir Bhutto and we will remain in party for ever.
On the occasion Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi, while addressing the public gathering he said that we have struggled for the revival of democracy and supremacy of law in country. He said they will not bow against any dictatorship as they had faced hardships before he said.
He further said that the Z. A Bhutto was great Asian leader, who sacrificed his life for the country men.
MPA Munwer Abbasi, in his speech, said that their is no differences in party and all the workers are united; the party leaders and their workers have not challenged any one, but needs to be paid attention to resolve genuine issues of party workers he said.
He said all the matters should be resolved in CEC and federal council meeting as in the Z. A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto era.
Earlier, Naheed Khan along with Senator Dr. Safdar Abbasi and MPA Munwer Ali Abbasi, Mouazam Ali Abbasi, Awais Abbasi, Ali Hassan Dahani and large number of party workers in hundreds of vehicle caravan from Sukkur to Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto reached here.
On the occasion she laid floral wreath and offered Fateha on the Mazars of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Z. A Bhutto. She weapped when heart rendering slogans were chanted. |
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Muslim mob destroy 47 Christian Homes with chemical bombs |
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Gojra, Punjab: July 31, 2009. (PCP report) The black smoke was still rising from 47 destroyed homes which were flattened by fire when SLMP and CLAAS teams reached in village Korian.
“The situation of fire which have burnt the bricks of homes reminds horrible picture of Shanti Nagar, where chemical bombs were used to destroy that Christian village in 1998.The homes of Christians in village Korian are presenting same scenes” SLMP Coordinator Sohail Johnson told Pakistan Christian Post.
Village Korian is at 7 miles distance from Gojra town, a sub-district of Faisalabad. There are about 75 Christian families living before independence of Pakistan in 1947, in this village named Korian.
The harmony among Muslim and Christians was exemplary till blasphemy law was legislated in Pakistan. The Muslim extremists used blasphemy laws on personal rivalries and grudges against Christians. The horrible incident of destruction of Christian homes in village Korian is also result of misuse of blasphemy law by Muslims.
According to SLMP, there was some argument between Muslim boys and Christian boys which was settled by village elders. The relatives of Muslim boys decided to teach lesson to Christian boys and issue of insulting pages of Holy Quran was blamed on July 25, 2009.
On night of July 30, Muslims made announcements from village mosque to unite and teach lesson to infidel Christian on committing blasphemy. The Muslims from nearby villages also gathered in mosque raising number to more than one thousand.
When Christian listened announcement from mosque, they fled from homes to hide in darken fields to safe their life. It was feared by other Christians in this district that Children, Women and Men were also burnt in fire because no one knew where Christians of Korian village have gone and same was reported in PCP.
Sohail Johnson and Joseph Francis told PCP today “ No Christian was hurt by Muslims attack but 47 homes were destroyed and house holds were looted”
The thousands of Muslims damaged homes after looting valuables and cattle of Christians and set every belonging to fire with some chemical which brought walls down and burnt bricks.
The Muslims blocked road after burning Christian homes to stop police or fire engines to reach to village Korian.
According to PCP, Muslims have lodged FIR in Saddar Police Station Gojra under blasphemy charges against Amran Masih, Talib Masih and others.
The Christian Members of Punjab Assembly also reached to village Korian while Mr. Michael, a Minister in Punjab government run by PML(Nawaz) filed an application in Saddar Police against Muslims who burnet down Christian homes but police have not registered any FIR till this report.
When PCP contacted Sub-district police officer to enquire about FIR against Muslim culprits, he argued that Muslims are taking out procession to press for arrests of Amran Masih, Talib Masih and other accused of blasphemy and he is busy to control law and order situation. |
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Coptic Christian congratulate Swiss people on Historic Minaret Vote |
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USA: December 4, 2009. (PCP) Dottore Architetto Ashraf Ramelah, President of Coptic Voice said that Sunday, November 29, 2009 will be remembered as a turning point in the protection of our democracy and freedom. I believe that all of the West must congratulate every Swiss citizen that voted to ban the building of Minarets as well as those who agreed to allow them to be built.
This is the democracy that western women and men were brought up on prior to the introduction of political correctness, more appropriately called “shut your mouth.”
Swiss citizens as well as all westerners are in great need to sit back and analyze the facts without any exaggeration or undermining the issues. All of us have a great responsibility towards our children and grandchildren. History will remember us as a great people who fought to keep democracy and freedom, or rather, a people who were unable to protect it.
Referendum plays an important role in democracy and through democracy power is given to every citizen. The result of any referendum is sovereign, and governments are obligated to follow the desire of their citizens.
In the early 1970’s I had the opportunity to observe two important referendums in Italy. The first was in favor of divorce, the second was for abortion. Both referendums were against Catholic teaching. In spite of the fact that the Vatican is in the center of Rome, the Italian capitol, and the head of the Catholic Church is also the Bishop of the eternal city, I never heard any instigation from the Church, its leaders, or political conservatives at that time.
I grew up convinced that I could disagree with your idea but I still respect you. Arabs, on the other hand, think and act differently than this. Arab-Muslim leaders throughout the whole world condemned the Swiss referendum. Some Arab leaders instigated their followers to rise aggressively against such a decision. I am sure that we will soon read and hear about the boycott of Swiss products, and maybe Swiss embassies will be closed in some Arabs countries.
Various western voices including some Vatican officials condemned the result of that referendum. I wonder if those leaders forgot that in a democracy the power belongs to the people, or can it be that such political leaders cannot stay away from so-called political correctness. The question remains that if political correctness were really correct, would one use it to criticize the will of the people, or instead accept the outcome in spite of any disagreement.
In western society there is a tendency to please strangers without consideration to their own people. Furthermore, instead of condemning the referendum results, I was hoping that our political leaders would be more effective in putting pressure on dictatorial and fascist regimes ruling in Arab Islamic countries in order to bring democracy and freedom to those populations. How dare those Arab leaders criticize a Swiss citizen for his choice in his own homeland concerning strangers, while the same Arab leaders do not give any respect to a citizen with a different face living in his own country.
The Grand Mufti of Cairo was very angry about the result of the referendum, criticizing the Swiss people for lacking respect for freedom of religion. Wow!! I wish the Egyptian regime could give Egyptians even one-half of one percent of the freedoms that the Swiss people enjoy. I do not want to take the time to describe the 1400 year history of oppression, discrimination and political correctness that Copts have endured in their own land.
Is there any political or religious leader in all of Egypt who would be willing to stand up honestly and admit that Copts have been under siege for more than 1400 years? Is there any political leader in the West who would be willing to stand up and put aside his political correctness to demand that those who wish to build a Minaret in someone else’s home must first respect basic human rights in his own home. It is time that everything be called by its own name, without hiding the facts, and with no special privilege given to any ethnic group or religion.
On behalf of Voice of the Copts, I urge all the citizens of the European Union to promote a similar referendum in each country along with a demand to their political leaders to put pressure on those regimes in order to help the religious minority in those countries to have basic human rights, democracy and human respect.
The real issue of this referendum was the goal of putting an end to the building of Minarets (architecture) and not the banning of the construction of Mosques as Arab-Muslim leaders and those with politically correct views would have us believe. |
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Kamran Saleem will be Coordinator of GAWO Holland |
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Holland: March 11, 2010 (Parvez Iqbal Reports for PCP) Good Angels World Organization Holland has approved membership of Mr. Kamran Saleem and has chosen him as Coordinator, Mr. Kaamran has accepted and started working for GAWO as Coordinator.
Mr. Anjum Iqbal, President, GAWO talking to PCP has commented that Mr. Kamran Saleem is well known in Pakistani Christian community in Holland and also a famous personality in Pakistan showbiz for his Modeling and acting skills in past.
The Council and members are in hope that enrollment of Mr. Kamran Saleem with GAWO Holland and as Coordinator will enable to achieve objectives for Christian Community's in Social Development. |
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Two Christian Women arrested for Practicing Christianity in Iran |
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WASHINGTON, D.C :April 2, 2009. International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on March 5, 2009 Iranian security forces detained two Christian women for practicing Christianity. Iranian officials allege that Marzieh Amairizadeh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustampoor are 'anti-government activists.'
According to the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), Iranian security officials searched the apartment shared by the two women and confiscated their personal belongings before they hand-cuffed and took the Christians to Police and Security Station 137 in Gaysha, west of Tehran. After appearing before the Revolutionary Court on March 18, the women were sent to the notorious Evin prison. Iranian officials told the Christian women to post bail at a staggering amount of $400,000 in order to be released from the prison.
"Both women are allowed just a one minute telephone call every day to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention. During their last call on March 28 Marzieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said 'I am dying'," reported FCNN.
Iranian officials have dramatically increased their persecution of Christians following the conversion of a large number of Muslims to Christianity. Last year alone, 50 Christians were arrested for practicing their faith, some of whom were tortured. There have also been reports that Christians died due to the torture they were forced to endure.
ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated that, "Iran's persecution of Christian minorities violates the fundamental freedom of its citizens to worship freely. The international community has obligations to speak up for the rights of the persecuted Iranian Christians. We call upon Iranian officials to stop mistreating Marzieh and Maryam and release them from prison." |
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Arrest culprits who destroyed Homes of Christians in Korian village. Nazir Bhatti |
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Lahore: July 31, 2009. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have condemned attack on Christians in village Korian and urged government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws which is misused by extremist Muslims to burn homes and loot properties of Christians.
‘The second incident of burning Christian homes in one month is challenge for government of Punjab which claims to be custodian of minorities as inherited political party of founder of Pakistan” Said Nazir Bhatti
He added” Christians are peaceful citizen but it may not be termed as our weakness by government because to maintain law and order is responsibility laid on it”
The Muslim culprits are free who burnt down 100 homes of Christians in Bahmani Wala village in Kasur district and FIR is not registered against Muslim attackers of Korian village where chemical are used to destroy 47 homes of Christians.
The police have lodged FIR under section 295 B and C PPC against Amran Masih, Talib Masih and grandson of Talib Masih but there is not any case registered against Muslim attackers who looted valuables, took away Cattle and bunt down 47 homes of Christians.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti urged Punjab government to immediately arrest those who instigated and destroyed Christian properties.
“It is time that President of Pakistan may issue an executive order to repeal blasphemy law to stop further attacks on Christians and arrests” Said Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatti said ‘we are grieved with our Christian brothers of Korian village and assure them to fight for justice”
The Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC urged Christian to unite and join “Black Day” on August 11, 2009, in front of Press Clubs of Towns and Cities through out Pakistan to condemn attacks on life and property of Christian, for equal Basic democratic rights and Repeal of Blasphemy laws. |
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Federation of Asian Bishops Conference FABC issues Statement |
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BALI: December 4, 2009. (PCP) Catholic Bishops from 14 countries met in November 16-21, here in Bali to discuss share and learn the faith experiences from each other have now published a statement marking the event. It was the 14th annual meet of FABC-OSC. Here is the statement:-
FINAL STATEMENT
We, the 37 participants of the 14th Annual FABC]OSC Bishopsf Meet from 14 countries comprising bishops, theologians, media experts and communications animators met in Bali, Indonesia, from November 16]21 to study the theme of gSocial Communication in Civil Society: Ethical Challenges.h
The gradual modernization of Asia over the past 500 years has had a significant impact on many facets and levels of our societies. This has now been given a new impetus with the globalization forces at work over the past 50 years, especially with the emergence of Information Communication Technology as central to many aspects of modern life. Changes in world trade policies and global power shifts are hastening Asiafs transition to the global scenario. In fact, experts are talking of the 21st century as gthe Asia]Pacific centuryh. Asia is a continent of tremendous diversity and plurality of cultures, traditions, religions and ethnic communities. It is now experiencing the impact of modernity in a very dramatic way. This phenomenon needs to be studied more closely, carefully and in depth. While we admit the numerous positive contributions of globalization, we cannot ignore the negative repercussions these have on the people of Asia and their ethical implications. This process of globalization and modernization has created local communities that have received modern education in many of our countries. They experience both the gAsian village and the global villageh. They are therefore capable of understanding the workings of the different facets of society more comprehensively. Through modern communications technology, we know and understand the meaning of our international global society. We are increasingly becoming conscious of our universal identity and our global destiny. With this change, Asia is also seeing the resurgence of a new force in society and in public life, namely Civil Society. Just as modernity and modern communications have affected the lives of people of all faiths, they have also become vital contributors to the new force of Civil Society. The term eCivil Societyf has a range of meanings and nuances for people who live, think and act in diverse contexts and whose understanding of society is shaped by different traditions of social analysis. Drawn towards like]minded men and women of different faiths, in a common quest for greater human dignity, social justice and true freedom, these activists in civil society movements have raised their voices amidst the cacophony of our modernity]driven norms and principles, almost like modern day prophets. Many of them have been influenced, to a greater or lesser extent, by Gospel values and Christian thought.
Orientations
Business has economic power. Governments wield political power. Civil Society uses cultural power to build coalitions and create a moral consensus. Already, it has created noticeable shifts from authoritarian leadership to collaboration and networking as a way of making decisions; from exclusion to inclusion; from consumerism to stewardship; from unrestricted consumption to sharing the worldfs resources responsibly. What we are witnessing is the emergence of the human dimension of life in a vastly inhuman and uprooted civilization that appears to be losing both its identity and destiny.
The Church cannot be an indifferent observer to these movements and the ethical and moral consequences that follow. As bishops and those engaged in social and pastoral communications, our focus is ecommunication of and in human societyf which Vatican II called esocial communication.f Our concern for truth must be central in determining ethical values in social communication. gA communicator can attempt to inform, to educate, to entertain, to convince, to comfort; but the final worth of any communication lies in its truthfulnessh (Benedict XVIBenedict XVI, Address to the participants at a convention on gIdentity and Mission of a Communications Faculty in a Catholic Universityh organized by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Rome, May 23, 2008) Asia needs a dialogical approach to ethics in such a way that it becomes accessible to all human beings irrespective of their religious or ideological differences. As believers, we feel especially called to involve the ecclesial movements in the Church, with civil society actors, inspired by her ethical concerns and rich social teachings. We therefore see the need for Christians to join hands with the civil society actors in the Postmodern Asian society of the 21st Century. Based on what draws us together rather than what separates us, we as Church must open our doors even more to peoples of all cultures and religions, engaging more with civil society, selectively and through a process of
discernment. The Social Communications teachings of the Church, as reflected in the FABC communication documents of the past 14 years, provide comprehensive guideposts for us in this respect. The Church has a common stake with NGOs in supporting the growing demand across Asia for good civil governance, right to information, use of e]governance tools from information technology. The Church also shares with civil society the concern for good corporate governance and greater corporate social responsibility on the part of Western and the newly emerging Asian global companies, hitherto focused only on increasing shareholder value, rather than stakeholder interests.
Recommendations
1. Bishops, with their social communication offices, and especially moral theologians, should study and respond in greater depth to the ethical and moral dimensions of the modern communication culture (Redemptoris Missio, 37c) like the digital divide, the rights of children (Communio et Progressio, 67f.) to privacy and security, to critical assessment and handling of communication technologies, communication education, the right to information (Communio et Progressio, 33]45); they ought to strive towards proper professional standards and the search for truth (cf. Miranda Prorsus; Communio et Progressio, 17, 36f.; Aetatis Novae, 6). For this, the ethical passages and texts of existingChurch communication documents should be used as guidelines and signposts for further study, reflection and action.
2. Each diocese needs to define the meaning of ecivil societyf in its local environment, making
a critical assessment of the aims and objectives of different civil society movements, and identifying genuine and credible movements. We must measure the worth of the causes espoused by them in the light of the Gospel values. gI came that the world may have life and have it abundantlyh (Jn 10:10). Such an analysis itself can result in an intuitive vision that becomes the driving force to motivate like]minded people to join civil society movements.
3. Church leaders need to show greater willingness for selective engagement with civil society groups. The Church in Asia is largely a minority, yet it continues its commitment to bear witness to the Gospel through a three]fold dialogue with religions, cultures and the poor. Credible civil society actors provide God]given opportunities for the local Church to join hands with like]minded people of goodwill and become relevant to the people in its midst by sharing insights, facilities and resources in a sustainable manner. Such
cooperation can empower civil society to play a more effective role and at the same time enable the Church to manifest its eFaith Through Actionf and promote the values that Jesus Christ proclaimed. gWe pray to Jesus in the chapel, then go out into the street to find Jesus in disguiseh (Mother Teresa). It is important, however, to ensure that the
Church involved in this process does not end up being perceived as mere social worker or an NGO.
4. Local Churches need to prepare their own members to develop their sense of ethical responsibility and to play their rightful role in civil society movements through appropriate awareness and formation programmes using the social teachings and other documents of the Church. Such formation should take note of moral guidelines and contemporary issues like use of micro]credit, self]help groups, sustainable development, environmental issues and respecting the rights of future generations to the resources at our disposal. Church organizations can learn a great deal from civil society, especially on how to combine commitment with expertise in the area of research, documentation and statistical data to offer substantial evidence to bolster its cause.
5. Christian communicators must convince the various Commissions and groups and
movements in the local Church about the need to develop a proper sense of Christian responsibility/ethics and to join hands with civil society.
6. The Church needs to create a feeling of gtogethernessh with civil society to alleviate the sufferings of the people in their midst, as witnessed especially during natural disasters. This sharing of our energies, expertise and resources with those working to empower the marginalized in society, would be an extension of the Eucharist ]] living with the people, walking with them, entering into a dialogue inspired by the Holy Spirit to become one with them.
7. Wherever necessary, the local Church should consider promoting its own NGOs to address the larger issues of society, taking care to keep a suitable distance from itself, yet bringing a specifically Christian and Catholic character to their way of working. |
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AHJP signs MoU with Macter |
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KARACHI; March 11, 2010. (PCP) Association of Health Journalist of Pakistan (AHJP) and Macter pharma has signed a memorandum of understanding to organize a workshop on the topic of "Effective Journalism Using MBTI" here on Tuesday. The memorandum was signed by Mr Arif Hashmi (Vice President AHJP), Mr Akhtar Sahheen Rind (General Secretary AHJP) and Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed (Medical Director Macter). President Karachi Press Club - Mr Imtiaz Khan Faran also graced the occasion with his presence.
The workshop specifically designed to cater journalists is based on the most widely used tool of personality assessment and development - Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). 90 percent of fortune 100 companies and top 10 universities of the world are using this indicator.
Speaking at the occasion, Vice President of AHJP - Mr Arif Hashmi, highlighted the role of association for capacity building initiatives for health journalists. Akhtar Shaheen Rind, General Secretary of the association, stressed the need for "Continuing Health Journalism Education" (CHJE) on the similar patterns as 'Continuing Medical Education' (CME) programs.
Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed, Medical DirectorMacter, informed that CareerMed - a personality assessment and career planning program for medical students and doctors - was being offered across the nation by Macter under its Clinical Excellence & Leadership Program (CELP) in order to groom the future leaders of medical fraternity. Health journalists being at the forefront of societal change, he said, are one of the most important stakeholders for any initiative for betterment in the health sector. |
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Peoples League hails Najib Razak as new PM of Malaysia |
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Srinagar: April 3, 2009. (PCP) Hurriyat Executive and Acting chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza in a statement has felicitated Najib Razak for being elected as sixth PM of Malaysia. We hope that Razak will utilize his countrys influence over the two nuclear neibhbours of Sub-continent (India & Pakistan) who seems to have trained guns against each other will urge them for coming to the result oriented negotiations because Kashmir being the nuclear flash point in the South Asia. Kashmiris are hopeful that it is only meaningful discourse through which durable and acceptable solution of Kashmir will come out, Waza said. Mukhtar maintain that the newly elected PM of Malaysia will help in making OIC an effective tool for the Muslim Uma so that it can address the plight of Muslims of the world with fidelity and dedication.
It is worth to mention that Najib Tun Razak, son of a former premier, was sworn in Friday morning as Malaysia`s sixth prime minister.
He took over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after leading the country for over five years. Badawi made way for Razak well before the end of his second term, marking a smooth political transition in the prosperous Southeast Asian nation.
Razak, 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the royal head of the state..
Dressed in traditional black baju melayu (shirt) complete with sampan (a waist band), Razak was administered the oath of secrecy, loyalty and confidentiality.
The entire ceremony was steeped in Malaysian traditions, Star Onine said.
The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by Badawi and his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad.
Razak was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, July 23, 1953. He is the eldest son of the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the nation`s second prime minister.
His appointment is significant in the country`s history as this is the first time that a former prime minister`s son is holding the post, Bernama, the official news agency said.
Razak became the country`s youngest Member of Parliament at the age of 22 when he won the Pekan seat unopposed in a by-election following his father`s death.
He then went from strength to strength in politics and government to reach the pinnacle, being elected president of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) last week that paved the way to his becoming the prime minister. |
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Pakistan have best irrigation water system. Murad Ali Shah |
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LARKANA: July 31, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Provincial Minister for Irrigation and Power Syed Muraad Ali Shah has said that Pakistan has the best irrigation water system, which is not being utilized properly by the concerned authorities. This he said while addressing in an open open Katchehry at Kamber district Council Hall on Friday.
He said, “he believe to resolve the water issues of the people on long term basis instead of short term, so that he is committed to solve the problems of growers and farming community.
Provincial Minister Sindh also confessed that he should have come earlier to resolve the matters of local Abadgars, he received several complaints of concerned irrigation authorities regarding the corruption and irrigation issues, added that there are black-sheeps and white elephants in our department, they would be dealt with severe action he said.
He said that all the related problems of irrigation and other issues of Kamber-Shahdadkot will be tabled to the Chief Minister Sindh for the enquiry and action.
To a query about the Sindh and Balochistan water share, he said that present issue is continue for a long fifteen years and still there is no solution of the problem he said.
He said Kirthar and Saifullah Magsi canals will be given their due water share according to the water accord between the provinces, added that he was facing pressure from the counterpart Balochistan Minister regarding the sufficient share from Garang Regulator he said.
Minister told that according to the 1991 water accord Balochistan has rights to take 2200 Cusec water share from Kirthar canal at Garang Regulator, while Sindh has 1950 Cusec water share from Saifullah Magsi branch he said. Syed Murad Ali Shah said abandoned water has been released from Tarbella for provision of irrigation water usage; it will take about a week to reach in the area.
Provincial Minister Irrigation and Power highlighted that he learned politics from his great leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, she was her ideal in politics, added that our policy of the party is to empower women in every sector and work shoulder by shoulder in every field. He said in this regard various programs have been started with objectives to eliminate poverty and generate employment through Income Support Program and youth development skills in every field.
He announced a Yaadgar of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto will be constructed on entry point of Kamber city.
On the occasion, large number of growers and farmers Ishaq Mugheri, Mukhtiar Shaikh, Rahim Mangi, Abdul Sattar Gopang, Faryal Brohi, Mohammed Punhal Soomro and others shouted and complained sitting irrigation authorities and other concerned departments including the Works and Services EDOs, Xen, Sub Engineers and other officials for corruption in the irrigation funds and poor excavation, repair and maintenance of canals and water channels, water courses.
They complained in the open Katchehry that there millions of misappropriation in the utilization of funds of irrigation and wapda drainage and artificial water shortage in the canals, while the local people demanded to remove corrupt Secretary irrigation and other officials in Larkana region.
In an Open Katchehry District Coordination Officer Kamber-Shahdadkot Zahid Hussain Memon, Chief Engineer Right Bank Agha Aijaz Pathan, Superintendent Engineer Shafqat Ali Wadho, Executive Engineer Abdul Gaffoor Soomro and other PPP leaders were present. |
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Nine Member PCC Council of Rawalpindi district announced |
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Karachi: December 4, 2009. (PCP) Pakistani Christian Congress PCC Central Office announced the PCC Rawalpindi district Nine Member Council headed by Xavier William with immediate effect to act under Constitution of PCC till Annual General Convention in 2010.
The Council Members are Saqib Adeel, Mehboob Alam, Adrish Gill, Zeeshan Gill, Suleman Gill, Johnson, Javed Gill, Tahir Anwer and Zahid Anwer.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC congratulated newly nominated of PCC Rawalpindi District Council and urged Council Members to work hard to reach Christian youth for awareness and unity.
Nazir Bhatti said “Unity among youth is solution to problems of 20 million Christians in Pakistan and I welcome Christian Youth in Pakistan to join PCC”
PCC in a reorganization move will announce PCC Council of cities in Punjab province where more than 5 hundred thousand Christians are domiciled before announcing PCC Punjab Provincial Council. |
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Religious and Interfaith harmony important for peace in Pakistan. Pir Yousaf Awan |
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LARKANA: March 11, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) There is need to promote religious and inter-faith harmony among all sects to achieve peace and stability in the country. He said this by the Central Chairman National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony (NPICH) Pir Allama Muhammed Yousuf Awan here on local hotel on Wednesday.
Addressing on the occasion, he said the Islam has given rights to all minorities as equal rights despite all odds and scattered incident by anti-state elements who are poised to create disharmony, the state functionaries always tried to bring the culprits to justice he said.
He emphasized to all the sects and regions people to create interfaith harmony and ensure protection to their rights and religious freedom.
He said few elements were using this institution by their own interest but he announced to lodge FIR against them.
He lauded the role of ulema and religious scholars have been appreciable in promoting harmony, peace, love, brotherhood and co-existence.
An International Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony comprising ulema from all schools of thought is in place to promote interfaith harmony in nook and corner.
Awan said “there is dire need to uplift the image of Pakistan and show its real face to the world, and Scholars in different religions can play an effective role in creating harmony.” Even the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto always struggled for brotherhood, interfaith harmony, equality and a stable Pakistan and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto also devoted her life for country men and democracy he said.
On the occasion, Vice President Sindh Sardar Khadim Hussain Solangi,
President Sindh Pir Zulfikar Ali, Provinical Media Coordintor Muhammed Nazir Ahmed Siyal, Ali Raza Solangi, Prof. Rasool Bux Solangi and others were among the program.
Later, Central Chairman National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony (NPICH) Pir Allama Muhammed Yousuf Awan along with leaders of NPICH including Sardar Khadim Hussain Solangi visited Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and offered Fateha on the grave of Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and others. |
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Shariah in Swat. By Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd) |
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Islamabad: April 3, 2009. (PCP) Almost all TV channels showed at mid day today a 17 year old girl being publicly whipped in Swat by the Taleban under the Shariah laws imposed there for having out of the house unaccompanied by a mahram.. It was most distressing and painful to see two burly men pinning her down in a most cruel, inhuman and brutal way by holding her from the shoulders and feet and a third dispenser of the so-called Islamic Law administering the lashes very ‘manly’ on her back. The poor wretched creature was crying and howling uncontrollably with the each lash landing on her body. The most astonishing thing was that there was a throng of the most chivalrous and proud Pathans, Pukhtoons or the Pushtoons – whatever you may call them - around the helpless victim of atrocity watching the spectacle mutely either in approval or dumbfounded and afraid of uttering a word against it lest it be termed as anti-Islamic and they themselves meted out the same treatment. Well Done the Ghayur Pukhtoons of Swat. Well Done to your chivalry and manliness.
On soliciting the comments by the TV persons the intelligentsia belonging to all segments of society unequivocally and vociferously condemned the incidence. However, surprisingly though not unexpectedly, the newly elected Ameer Jama’t e Islami – Syed Munnawar Hussain – in spite of the best efforts of a TV newscaster not only not condemned the incidence but also sounded annoyed and irritated on the repeated asking for his comments in yes or no by a TV newscaster. The hypocrisy was writ too large all over and too obvious, he could not afford to say anything against his and his party’s such kith men imposing such a shariah.
I think, it is time we asked ALL religious parties and their leaders whether they condemn or approve of such acts? It is also time that the CJP took suo moto notice of it. People have great hopes from him and he must rise to the occasion. It is also time, that the Lawyers, the ML(N), the TI, the ANP, the PESA (Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association), the Human Rights Activists and ALL other right thinking people and parties took out a long march against such atrocious enforcement of un Islamic Shariah in Swat and elsewhere in Pakistan. It is also time that the president not signed the Swat Shariah Bill and the parliament not endorsed it either. |
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Muslim protestors gun down 8 Christians in Gojra, Pakistan |
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Faisalabad: August 1, 2009. Muslim protestors demanding to arrest three Christian accused of blasphemy of village Korian attacked Christian Colony near Gojra Railway Station and set two houses on fire. When Christian women begged to spare their homes, Muslim mob discriminatory opened fire sand executed 4 women and children. It was early morning hours in city of Gojra when most of Christian men have left for work, who perform labor duties in city.
The Muslim from nearby villages started gathering in Gojra City to protest for arrest of Imran Masih, Talib Masih and others to whom they accused desecrating of pages of Holy Quran on July 30, 2009. The Muslims attacked same night and burnt down 60 Homes of Christians in village Korian, 7 miles from Gora City.
According to PCP, Gora Saddar Police Station fired in air to stop protestors to set Christian homes on fire but Muslim mob became out of control and burnt homes. The armed protestors clashed with police also injuring one senior Police officer and many constables.
The Muslim mob pulled Christians women and children out of homes and killed them in execution style. Some old Christian men who came to safe women and children were also injured.
According to news agencies, injured have been rushed to hospital and firing is going on between Muslim mob and police. |
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Hindu Panchayat elects new Executive Committee |
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LARKANA: December 4, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) The election of executive committee General Hindu Panchayat Larkana was held under the supervision of Mukhi Dr. Lakhmichand here at Dharamshala Larkana on Friday.
On the occasion, Vice Chairman Babu Lal, Joint Secretary Dr. Govinda, Dr. Dharam Pal Pawani for the treasurer and other office bearers were elected by the EC-GHP.
In this process Lekhraj Motomal for Chairman along with Sirichand Lal and Pardeep received equal votes for Chairman and treasurer respectively, which re-election process will be held next week of December said the press statement.
On the occasion, large number of Hindu Community former chairman Manik Roy, Mukhi Mehru Mal, President District Panchayat Santosh Kumar and others were also present. |
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31st death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on April 4, 2010 |
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LARKANA: March 11, 2010. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) A meeting was held to discuss the arrangements for observing 31st Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister and founder Chairman of PPP Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto, will be held on April 04, 2010 at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The meeting was presided over by the DCO/Administrator Larkana Syed Hassan Naqvi and meeting decided that strict security measure will be adopted on the occasion as well as provision of drinking water, accommodation facilities, car parking place may be identified and signboards may be displayed.
He directed the TMA authorities to ensure the cleanliness and lighting arrangement in their respective cities/ towns. The health department should ensure to establish medical camps at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and surrounding BHUs and RHUs along with medical officers and Para-medical staff, they will work round the clock on the occasion.
The meeting also decided that Hesco Authority to ensure the electricity and stand by generators at Garhi Khuda Bux, besides the civil defence Razakars will also perform their duties on the occasion.
The DCO directed all concerned officers of different department that they will complete their assignment on the occasion of death anniversary of Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto on April 2010, and to ensure the coordination with each other.
The meeting was attended by EDO Revenue Asasd-u-llah Abro, the district and regional heads of different departments.
Meanwhile, the meeting was held here under the Chairmanship of DCO/Administrator Larkana Syed Hassan Naqvi at his camp office on Wednesday.
The meeting reviewed and discussed the progress of development schemes being carried out under Larkana Development Package, he urged upon the officers of NHA to Re-double their efforts for completion of development schemes in time, any kind of slackness would not be tolerated at any cost.
During the meeting he directed to the Hesco Authorities as well as Telephone Officers to remove the old electric polls and telephone wires, which are being hindrance in completion of roads under the Larkana Development Package.
During the meeting the representative of NHA informed that remaining land compensation may be provided to the land owners after receiving the funds form Government. The meeting was largely attended by all concerned. |
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HRFP- highly condemned the Swat girl whipped. |
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Faisalabad: April 04,2009. (PCP) HRFP welcomes the CJ’s suo motu notice of whipping of 17 years old girl as he formed an eight member larger bench which will initiate hearing of the matter in question on April 6 and the bench will be headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry himself.
Naveed Walter President HRFP highly condemned the heart pain incident in Swat in which the Taliban publicly whipped a teenage girl in a mediaeval fashion on the charge of her being involved in illicit relations here.
HRFP demanded to Government of Pakistan for taking his immediate action and appealed to people of Pakistan, political workers, and civil society that they must come out openly in denouncing the incident unequivocally and assist in apprehending and punishing the responsible of this incident under the law. |
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Christian Diaspora urged to intervene after attacks on Pakistani Christian: Bishop T. Nasir |
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Dear Dr. Nasir S. Bhatti.
I was not surprised at the news of yet another attack on Christians this time in village Korian near Gojra. The memory of Kotri, Bahmni wala, Kot Lakha Sing, killing of Christian youth on Shekhupura Sukheki road and arrests under the Blasphemy Laws. This was inevitable! I warned the entire Christian community around the world in my article, "Tsunami that waits for Christians" in January 2005. Unfortunately all that has been taught to us is "Turning the other cheek" and not "buying the sword". In November 2005 I warned again when Sanglla Hill churches, Christian Institution and the houses of Christians were burnt. During 2006 demonstrations, a mob tried to attack Yahonnabad a Christian settlement on Ferozpur Road Lahore. There the Christian blocked every entrance and warned that they are ready to fight back if attacked. The mob was sent back by the Rangers but no one from the mob dared to go near. Christian have to fight back. They have right of self preservation. Most of the villages have fire arms which are drawn against each other. Yet no one has used his fire arm to stop or protect the Christian community in Pakistan. Village after village is being attacked and Christians are forced to leave. Many have shifted to cities. If we don't fight back now, there would be no Christian village left in Punjab. If villages are going to burnt only on a "Rumor" what safety does the government offer? Nothing! Some monetary help but the root cause is not dealt with iron hands. Only statements and promises would finish us from this part of the world. Protesting in from of Pakistan Embassy or High Commission will not work and it has never worked. Why can't our Christian brothers and sisters living in the West request their governments and representative to take up the issue of Christian minority in Pakistan by their respective governments with the government of Pakistan? Why can't they take a protest rally in front of Capital Building in Washington or the Parliaments building in Canada and Europe? In my opinion we must now fight back and die with honor rather crying over milk that was spilt back on 14th August 1973 when the present constitution was promulgated. Mere exchange of new is not going to do any good to the Christians of Pakistan.
Bishop T. Nasir
August 1, 2009. |
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No one can damage Sindhi Topi and Ajrak culture: Sindh Khaksar Tehreek |
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LARKANA: December 6, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) If the sons of soil alive, no one can dare to damage the culture of Sindh and its traditions. Sindhi Topi and Ajrak are the symbol of five thousand old Moen-Jo-Daro culture and a true dipiction of great culture and tradition of Sindh. This was expressed by the Khaksar Thereek Sindh Balochistan Women leader and President Dr. Sabiha Arshad Mughal here at Khaksar Workers gathering here at Al-Mashriqi House on Saturday.
She said the Sindhi people will never compromise on their honor and prestige; they will fight for their basic rights she said.
Khaksar leader strongly condemned the recent increase of POL prices, that would affect general commoditisers and causing inflation and poverty in country, she termed it an anti-masses policy was introduced by the present government she said.
She further said, due to price hike common people were facing hardships to pay their utility bills, so how they will bear more burden of new increasing inflation in country she added.
Dr. Sabiha called for early withdrawal of government policies, which could lead the common men to the civil disobedience. She expressed concern over the prevailing political scenario in the country and said the Supreme Court must take historical decision against the NRO beneficiaries and defaulters must be taken to the task in the interest of nation she said.
Meanwhile, The members of Arts Council of Pakistan and CSS Coaching Center Larkana organized rallies to celebrate the Topi and Ajrak event here in Larkana.
On the occasion, large number people wearing Topis and Ajrak, carrying banners and chanted slognans for Sindhi Culture. The rally marched through various thorough fares and reached at Press Club.
The participants of the rallies addressing on the occasion said that all Sindhi people are united on sensitive issue of culture; they said that they would not tolerate any joke with Sindh culture and traditions.
They said Sindhi culture and Topi Arak are the identity of Sindhi people, so the criticism against any culture is violation of constitution and human rights, they said the Sindh has five thousand old culture with its diversity has also the hiers of heritage they said.
The speakers including Abdul Sattar Khuhawar, Abdul Hadi Bugti, Naseer Khuhawar, Hanif Suhag, Mumtaz Ali Abro, Nazir Ahmed Siyal, Imtiaz Ahmed and others.
After the announcement of Topi and Ajrak day on December 06th 2009 (today), the scores of people from all walks of life started the purchase of Topi and Ajrak from shops to celeberate the day, which is resported a shortage of traditional Topi and Ajrak throughout Sindh.
In Larkana, large number of people including the Political workers, leaders, NGOs, Students, laborers, villagers, Associations, Unions and all walks of life were continue purchasing a traditional Topi and Ajrak to celeberate the Day on December 6th, while the rates of Ajrak and Topi’s were soaring and shortages in the all over district and tehsils.
The shopkeepers of Shahi Bazar, Resham Gali, Pakistan Chowke, Royal Road and other tehsil market told that they had brought for one year season stock which has been sold out within a week and they have ordered for more, which could not have been received yet due to the shortage of Topi and Ajrak |
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Pakistani American Christians coalition condemn killing of Christians in Nigeria |
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Philadelphia: March 11, 2010. (PCP) The leaders of Pakistani American Christians Coalition in a statement have strongly condemned killing of Christians in Nigeria.
PACC President Earnest Ghulab, Chairman Manzoor Alam and PACC leader Anwar Siddique said that killing of more than 500 hundred Christian children, women and elders in one night has horrified peace loving people around globe.
PACC leaders urged international forums to step forward to press upon government of Nigeria to adopt adequate security measures of Christians and other ethnic groups for long lasting peace in country. |
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Bilawal Bhutto chairs PPP Central Executive Committee meeting |
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LARKANA/Naudero: April 4, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) The meeting of Central Executive Committee Pakistan Peoples Party was held under the Chair of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while Co-Chairman and President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani were also among the CEC meeting here at Naudero House.
Before the meeting senior PPP central leader and former President Bar Council Ch. Aitzaz Hassan was stopped and not allowed his entry in Naudero House.
On the occasion Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while addressing to the media, he said the sacrifices of his grand father and his mother will not go in vain, because they devoted lives for the democracy. He said the sacrifices of martyrs still in the hearts of the people and they are alive.
Bilawal said thirty years have been passed and still Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is living in the hearts of the millions of people. He said the investigation in to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by UN is under way and soon reports will be declared.
He said in spite of threats to her life she returned the country to face the risk for the sake of real democracy. The killers of Benazir Bhutto wanted to annihilate Pakistan and democracy.
Bilawal recalled the philosophy of Benazir Bhutto said that the democracy is the best revenge. We will fulfill the dream of Benazir Bhutto and fought in the hard days at all cost. |
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J Salik calls for communal trust among Muslim-Christian |
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ISLAMABAD: August 1, 2009. (PCP) “We have to work to gain unity and communal trust between Muslims and Christians at any cost” said by Julius Salik, Convener, World Minorities Alliance when he was addressing a Solidarity rally here in Islamabad.
A Solidarity Rally was convened by World Minority Alliance here in Green park, National Press club, Islamabad, against conspiracy to hurt Muslim Christian Solidarity in Chak Korian, Gojrah, where some 70 homes were burnt by mobs. J Salik, nominee for Peace Nobel Prize appealed patriot forces to come out and be unite against common enemy society, the culprits who has tried to injured Muslim Christian solidarity. He added that at a time when our Forces has completed operation for peace, this kind of consperances will be very much dangerous for communal harmony in mother land.
Afzl Khan President A.N.P. and Paster Inayat Maseh were also in speakers. Hundreds of men and women from Christian Kachi abadies and Muslims attended the rally. |
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Indian American Muslim group demands immediate civil and criminal action against all accused in the Liberhan Report |
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Washington D.C: December 6, 2009: (PCP) Indian Muslim Council-USA, an advocacy group dedicated towards safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, demands the Indian government to bring the criminals to justice involved in the demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque in the city of Ayodhya in the State of Uttar Pradesh, India as identified in the Report of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry that was released recently.
Indian Muslim Council-USA further demands that the Indian government honor the promise given by the former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to re-build the mosque on its original site.
On December 6th, 1992 defying the orders of the Supreme Court of India and their own promise to the nation, the Hindutva fascist forces demolished the historic Babri Mosque in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This 16th century Muslim place of worship was destroyed by a frenzied mob of kar-sevaks in spite of assurances from the Hindutva Leaders and the State Administration officials that only symbolic prayers will be performed and that the structure of the Babri Mosque will be safe.
The Liberhan Commission appointed by the Indian government to investigate the destruction of the Babri Mosque submitted the report earlier this year that took more than 16 years of proceedings and recording statements of politicians, bureaucrats and police officials. Led by Indian Supreme Court Judge M S Liberhan the commission key identified individuals and organizations who played a direct role in planning what the commission termed as a "joint common enterprise" that lead to the destruction of the Babri Mosque.
"The Liberhan report is another testimony to the sad state of communal affairs in India and a clear verdict on deep seated resistance towards speaking the truth" said Rasheed Ahmed National President of IMC-USA. Ahmed further stated that "It took 17 years to document the two obvious facts, first that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was a premeditated criminal act by Hindutva leaders and second that BJP is simply a means for RSS to impose fascist regime in India"
Liberhan Commission named 68 individuals as the leading planners and participants directly or indirectly involved in the destruction of the Babri Mosque. Most of the perpetrators listed in the Commission report are associated with Hindutva-fascist groups such as the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal, all of whom are closely allied with the political Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, in alliance with several other parties, was in power from 1998 to 2004. These religious extremist groups garner significant support from Non-Resident Indians living in the United States.
Dr. Hyder Khan, National Vice President of IMC-USA said that "I am hopeful that current leadership in India will take moral and bold decisions to check the criminalization of politics through regional tribunals as proposed by the Liberhan Commission and not allow the Hindutva extremist groups propagate intolerant agenda and sectarianism"
After 17 years the Muslims of India who still feel aggrieved at the criminal destruction of the mosque demand that Indian Government immediately initiate criminal and civil action against all accused in the Liberhan Report and that all politicians, individuals, and organizations involved in the crime are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Indian Muslim Council-USA is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 10 chapters across the nation. |
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Women are forced to play only marginal roles in society. Shazia George |
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Faisalabad: March 11, 2010. (PCP) On 8th March 2010, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) organized a seminar titled “Gender Equality and Equity: Step towards a Just Society” on the occasion of international women’s day at Sandal Bar Hotel in Faisalabad. This seminar was joined by 280 Muslim and Christian participants including political workers, teachers, students, working women, women with disabilities and representatives of organizations. The speakers of the seminar included; Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Khalida Mansoor (M.N.A.), Amina Zaman (Director-ASDP), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Zil-e-Atif, Najma Afzal, Parveen Atif, Kaneez Ishaq, Iftikhar Ahmad, Nazia Sardar, Afsheen Patras and Um-e-Fawa.
Naseem Anthony said, “In the modern era, male domination and discriminatory attitudes towards women still exists in the society due to patriarchy, illiteracy, ignorance to human rights, discriminatory laws, customs and traditions against women”.
Khalida Mansoor said, “The human rights of women are usurped immensely, even they are deprived of right to vote, education, move freely and marry with own choice, in several areas of Pakistan, despite having numerous laws for the protection of human rights of women in Pakistan”.
Amina Zaman said, “Present Government has showed positive gestures by passing two laws for defending women’s rights on ‘domestic violence’ and ‘sexual harassment at workplaces’, but implementation upon these laws by taking stern action against the violators, is the major challenge for the government to prove its intention towards women’s respect, honour and access to justice”.
Shazia George said, “Women are forced to play only marginal roles as the society stereotypes the domestic tasks for males and females, therefore women still suffer from the accumulation of centuries of discrimination in the name of culture”.
Zil-e-Atif said, “The constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to women, but there exists discrimination in laws, policies, traditions and provisions in the constitution on account of sex in Pakistan, therefore such gender based biases must be culminated for empowerment of women”.
Najma Afzal said, “Women need to initiate an organized struggle with bravery against injustices for the attainment of their equal rights and for prevention of the violations of their human rights”.
Parveen Atif said, “Government must pay attention on the poor condition of women and must invest towards women’s empowerment in the fields of health, formal and technical education for building a healthy and civilized nation”.
The speakers of the seminar called upon the government that: laws, policies and provisions in the constitution having discrimination on the basis of sex and gender should be amended to comply them with the standards and norms of human rights; implementation of the domestic laws for the defense of women’s rights must be ensured; informal courts and outmoded culturally practices against women should be banned; educational and technical institutions for the empowerment of women should be established; women’s access to justice, equal opportunities and human rights must be ensured for building a just society. |
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Commonwealth must play role to address the unresolved issue of Kashmir: Prime Minister of Grenada |
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Toronto, April 29, 2008 – The unfortunate circumstances that the people of Kashmir are confronted with must be addressed, states Grenadian Prime Minister.
The Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, in a letter thanked Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of the Kashmiri-Canadian Council (KCC), for his letter concerning the unresolved issue of Kashmir and intensification of systematic human rights violations against civilians in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for being informed about the Kashmir issue: “I appreciate your pointed explanation of the unfortunate circumstances that the people of Kashmir are confronted with, and the subsequent role that the Commonwealth can play in seeking to address the unresolved issue.”
The Prime Minister underlines: “As the Commonwealth continues to promote human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” he concludes with an assurance, “I can assure you that plight of the Kashmiris will be an item of serious discussion [on the Commonwealth’s agenda].” |
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Violence Against Iraqi Christians Rising Again, 4 killed in twodays |
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WASHINGTON, D.C: April 4, 2009. International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on April 1 and 2, four Iraqi Christians were killed Baghdad and Kirkuk. Though the perpetrators of the murders are not yet indicated, Islamic fundamentalists, criminal gangs and other armed groups have been behind attacks against Christians in Iraq in the past.
According to the Middle East Times, on April 1 Sabah Aziz Suliman was killed in Kirkuk. The following day Nimrud Khuder Moshi, Glawiz Nissan and Hanaa Issaq were killed in Dora, a historically Christian neighborhood of Baghdad.
"The killing of four innocent people within the last two days has put a renewed fear in our hearts. What is important is to keep these continuous atrocities in the media and on the policy makers' radars. What we need is a more safe and secure Iraq for all of Iraqi's especially for the Christians who have faced ethno-religious cleansing," said Julian Taimoorazy, president of Iraqi Christian Relief Council, in an interview with ICC.
Iraqi Christians have been paying a heavy price due to the instability in the country following its invasion in 2003. In a recent press conference, Archbishop Louis Sako, said, "A total of 750 Christians have been murdered in the past five years, including Archbishop of Mosul Paulos Faraj Rahho." Archbishop Sako is the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Kirkuk.
The persecution has also forced half of an estimated 1.2 million Iraqi Christians to leave their homes. Many of Iraqi Christian refugees are living in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria under difficult circumstances.
ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East, Jonathan Racho, stated, "The suffering of Iraqi Christians has been beyond description and is not yet over. More than ever, the Iraqi Christians need our prayer and support. The latest martyrdom of our brothers should serve to awaken churches in the Western countries to come to the aid of their Iraqi brothers and sisters. We call upon Iraqi officials and the allied forces in Iraq to avert further attacks against Iraqi Christians. It is simply unacceptable to watch the extinction of the Christian community from Iraq." |
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9 Christian killed, 100 homes looted , 50 homes burnt by Muslim protestors in Gojra |
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Pakistan: August 1, 2009. (PCP) It was an other day of mourning for Christians when Muslim mob attacked at Christian Town and gunned down 9 Christian women, children and men and burnt down 50 homes in Gojra.
The first was identified as Inyat Masih among dead and fleeing Christian of Gojra are hiding to save life to identify other dead Christians.
The march of Muslims started from Railway Station Gojra at 12:00 noon today was attended by thousands of local and from near by villages marched towards Christian Town. The Christian Town Gojra is residence of two thousand Christian families who settled here over fifty years.
When Muslim marchers approached Christian Town, some two hundred Muslims hiding their faces with traditional Islamic scarf opened fire on Christian houses.
The Christian fled from home but who trapped were executed by face covered Muslims with automatic firearms. The Muslim attacker looted 100 homes and set on fire more than fifty Christian houses.
These Militants used a particular type of chemical which is hard to extinguish to burn Christian homes This chemical was used first in the village of “Shanti Nagar” which was set on fire in February 1997. Later this chemical was used in “Sangla Hill Town” and recently used to burn 60 homes of village Korian on night of July 30, 2009.
Sunny Gill based in Karachi told PCP that he called his relatives in Gojra on their Cell Phone after watching news of attack on a local TV channel and they were crying and telling “they have burnt whole colony and they have no shelter to stay in Gojra now” They are very far from Karachi and do not have money to reach to him in Karachi. There are hundreds of Christians stranded and in hiding in Gojra and near by villages.
According to information of PCP, received by calls and e-Mails by relatives of Christians of Gojra, 4 women, one child and 4 men are dead due to gun shots and many have burn injuries.
According to news agencies, four women and one child were burnt alive by Muslims and burnt dead were received by federal Minority Ministry.
Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have condemned statement issued by a minister in Punjab government that “ Muslim marcher were peaceful and some one shot fire on rally to ignite anger among them”
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti expressed concern on media reports which reported attackers to be Sunni Muslims because Christians had always cordial relation with Sunni Sect of Muslims in Pakistan. Such reporting can flare up riots which Christians are not bear to afford because Christian do not guns to protect them.
“PCC demands Punjab government to adopt strict security measure to main law and order to ensure safety of life and property of Christians. |
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PPP-SB Shutter downs in Sindh against the Murtaza’s murder verdict. |
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LARKANA: December 7, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) A complete shutter down strike was observed all over Sindh, on the call of Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto and staged protest demonstration against the court decision of acquitting 18 accused of Mir Murtaza Bhutto’s murder.
In Larkana, PPP-SB workers and leaders throughout Sindh districts held demonstrations and came down the streets and roads torched tires, and chanted slogans against the court verdict. All the petrol pumps, markets and bazaars, Shahi bazaar, Resham Gali, Buner Road, Royal road and other business places were remain closed, while the traffic was also thin at different cities.
PPP-Shaheed Bhutto workers also pelted stones on several public and private vehicles, which results of smash of glasses, earlier the police security was thin during the protest of workers.
Police was deployed at various places, while Market Police had registered the FIRs against 45 PPP-Shaheed Bhutto workers in Larkana a day before, but there is no arrest and other police action reported.
On the occasion, PPP-SB leaders including Ghulam Rasool Umrani, Barkat Mirjat, Abdul Sattar Channa and others said that they will never bow before the present government and police cases but continue their struggle till the victory they said. |
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Women Reservation Bill : Attempt to stifle the voice of Indian Muslims: By Navaid Hamid |
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Every new day has its own significance and if one goes into the history of human evolution, one finds that a good number of dates have left a mark on the history of civilisations. Some dates have dramatically changed the course of history while others have shamed humanity.
If we scrutinise the ”9th of March” in the history of civilisations, we get the glimpse of its impact on human history. It was on 9th March 1496 when the Jews were expelled from Austria. State of Naples banned kissing in public with death for the offenders on this day. On this day in 1841, the US Supreme Court ruled that blacks are free. Same day in 1893 witnessed the killings of thousands of Arabs by Congo cannibals. The Russian Bolshevik Party became the Communist Party on the 9th of March 1918 and in neighboring Ukraine, mobs massacred Jews of Seredino Buda on the same day and year. This day in 1935 saw the launching of a new air force by Adolf Hitler. It was on 9th March 1945 when America started a fresh offensive against Japan and Tokyo was carpeted with 2,000 bombs killing more than 80,000 residents. In the year 1956, this day saw the military might of USSR suppress popular demonstrations in Georgia. It was again 9th March but of the year 1959 which saw the debut of the Barbie doll in the American markets.
With the passage of the Women Reservation Bill by the upper house of the Indian Parliament, 9th March 2010 would also be remembered in the Indian history for a number of reasons.
This day would be remembered for the historic decision to take Indian women from the confines of home to the house to legislate to play their role in defining the destiny of this young nation for many generations to come.
Out of 7906 total members elected to the Lok Sabha, 542 women got opportunity to reach the lower house of Indian Parliament since 1952. WR Bill has provision to have 33 percent reservation for fair gender out of the total strength of 543 which would be 181 after it becomes law. The total strength of the members in 28 state assemblies stands at 4109 and the Bill has provision to reserve 1370 seats for women in these state assemblies.
The day would also be remembered for railroading an important legislation to safeguard the interests of the privileged classes which have felt the heat of a silent social renaissance in Indian society in the wake of the implementation of the Mandal report and for trying to negate the fruits of social justice which Other Backward Classes have started enjoying as a result of the implementation of the Mandal Report.
The day would be also be remembered for gagging the voices of the sanity and banning frank and free discussion and the right to vote according to one’s conscience with threats of disqualification from the membership of Rajya Sabha coupled with the stick of whips issued to members thus making a farce of democratic values.
Thus the day would also be remembered for the exposure of the misuse of the whips, in the highest decision making body of Indian democracy, by the leadership to persue their dictated agenda by imposing censorship on the voice of dissent.
The day would also be remembered for the use of Marshals, for the first time in the history of Indian democracy, to evict the dissenting members from the Rajya Sabha. One can disagree with the procedure these members have adopted for opposing the bill but it has also to be seen in the context of the insistence to follow the concept of ‘might is right’ too. A frustrated minority has no other option but to react in a manner which might, some time, seems to be indecent and uncivilized.
The day would be also be remembered for the famous quote of Arun Jaitely, leader of the opposition, that the majority of the upper house, Rajya Sabha, is in favor of the Women Reservation Bill (without sub-quotas for Other Backward Classes and SCs and STs) because they sincerely desires the empowerment of the Indian Women. What he failed to mention was the elitist character of the present Rajya Sabha where privileged classes dominate as far as the numerical strength is concerned. With this farce the nation has witnessed another live demonstration of ‘might is right’ after the demolition of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya by goons of the ideology, to which he belongs, in 1992.
Is it not true that unde the provision of the current Bill, women would get reservation only in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas (State Legislatures) and not in Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and State Councils (Upper House of State legisltaures) in several states where they exist.
Every citizen wishes to know from the pushers of WRB, why reservations for women have been confined to Lok Sabha and State Legislatures only.
The day would also be remembered for the misuse and exploitation of the issue of gender justice by members of the elite and privileged classes who control national parties from Right to Left, who are hell-bent to deny just rights and share in decision-making to the underprivileged and minorities. These privileged men and women have successfully imitated and copied the maneuverings of the white elites of the United States who have exploited gender discrimination by clubbing it with racial discrimination and thereby decimating Afro-American groups.
This day would also be remembered for ignoring the hard fact that during the last 60 years, national polity has failed to honour the promises and assurances of none other than the stalwarts of the freedom struggle, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, given in the Constituent Assembly to the minorities after Muslim members Begum Aizaz Rasool and Hafiz Tajammul Hussain moved amendments to exclude Muslims from the provisions of reservation in May 1949, that the nation would give fair justice to the minorities.
Who can deny that Muslims are the most decimated community today, educationally, economically and politically. Their women face double edge of discrimination, in comparison to women of other religions, being a Muslim and being a women. Just 14 Muslim women succeeded in reaching to Lok Sabha and that constitutes mere 2.5 percent of the total elected women members in the history of last 60 years.
If we scrutinize the position of Muslims in corridors of power, we would find that Muslims have less than one third of their due representation in the Lok Sabha.
In West Bengal which is under the rule of an ultra secular Left alliance for close to three decades, the condition of Muslims is worse because of the deliberate attempts of the Left leaders to exploit the issue of security to deprive the Muslims of WB of their educational, economical and political rights. Sachar Committee pointed out the plight of the Muslim of West Bengal. The percentage of Muslims in the WB state legislature stands at around four percent while they represent over a quarter of that state’s total population. It was amusing to hear the fractured and distorted argument put forward by female face of the CPM in the Rajya Sabha Mrs. Brinda Karat that the women reservation at the local bodies level had indeed empowered Muslim women as 10 out of 50 women elected in Hyderabad Municipal Corporation were Muslims. What she failed to mention was that all these seats are predominantly Muslim-dominated. How can a municipal corporation seat having around 5000 or so voters be compared with sprawling assembly and Parliamentary seats.
It is also history that for two consecutive terms, in the state legislature of Madhya Pradesh, where Muslims constitutes about nine percent of the total population, the representation of Muslims in the state legislature was nil.
Even in Delhi, the capital of the nation, where the Muslim population stands over 12 percent of the total population, their representation is just seven percent in state legislature. Out of Delhi’s seven members in the Lok Sabha, Muslims have none in spite of the fact that Muslims constitute more than 27 percent of the total voters in the North East Delhi Parliamentary constituency.
This day would also be remembered for the true exposure of Muslim representatives in different political parties and their lack of courage by remaining mute spectators when history was inked with legislative provision to shrink the political space for the future generations of the Muslim community in a democratic nation.
Sacchar Committee have pointed that majority of the seats reserved for the SC and ST’s have Muslim concentration and with the reservations of women, without sub-quota for Muslim women, the options for Muslims would be limited to just 45 percent of the general seats and these might be those seats which have marginal percentage of Muslim electorates.
In May 1949, two Muslim representatives had sealed the fate of the Muslim community by moving amendments to exclude Muslims from reservation, the year 2010 witnessed indifferent attitude of most of the 20 Muslim representatives in Rajya Sabha towards safeguarding the democratic interests of their coming generations.
Who can deny that during elections, secular political parties deny tickets to Muslim aspirants on the ground that winnabilty is the deciding factor and not a candidate’s religion.
It is an irony that a stalwart of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s stature was asked to contest from the Muslim-dominated constituency of Rampur and the national icon Azharuddin was morphed into a “Muslim candidate” in Moradabad during the last general elections. The examples of Maulana Azad and Azharuddin, undoubtly exposed the weaknesses of our secular polity and democratic process and the prejudices Muslims have to face during hustings.
This day would also be remembered for the second constitutional provision in the history of young India which would shrink the share of Muslims in the fruits of power after the imposition of the religious restriction on Article 341 of the Indian Constitution way back in 1950 in the shape of a presidential order that defined that only believers in a certain faith were entitled to reservation.
No doubt, the Bill in its present form, would further alienate Muslims and create deep mistrust and frustration in the minds of younger generations. The day when this deep distrust and sense of frustration would be further cemented, for which the foundation have already been laid, that would be one of the saddest in the history of the evolution of a strong, vibrant, secular and inclusive India. To avoid that we needs to shed our arrogance and evolve a way to create trust and convey a message of care and inclusiveness to all, irrespective of their numerical strength for an integrated strong nation.
It is for the polity of the nation now to decide how they wish to register “9th March” in the history of the evolution of a vibrant India.
Navaid Hamid is Secretary of South Asian Council for Minorities (SACM) based in New Delhi |
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Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto anniversary observed |
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LAKANA: April 4, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that it is the responsibility of PPP to follow the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which was led all this by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto to complete the mission by implementing COD a way forward to the development and success.
He expressed these notions while talking to the media men here after the Fateha and laying floral wreaths on the Mazar of Z. A Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and other family members here at Garhi Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on Friday.
Prime Minister Gillani said the PPP is the responsible to protect and safeguard the 1973 a unanimous Constitution given by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which is an asset, he added that the government believe in the reconciliatory politics and all political forces are unite in the national issues.
He said the Prime Minister post changes, but it is the constitution and the country which have to live.
He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had a mission for the country’s development and socio-economic progress of masses, which was also promoted and forwarded by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed through her vision.
To a question about the incident of the flogging of a girl in Swat, the Prime Minister condemned the happening and said an inquiry into the incident has been ordered.
He said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Shaheed Zulikar Ali Bhutto were the champions of the rights of women and minorities, adding that the government will bring legislation in the parliament for the rights of women.
Prime Minister regarding the introduction of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) by the present government said under this programme, women empowerment has been ensured; he said the PPP government was committed to carry forward the mission and vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, who were the beacon of light for the future generations.
To a question about the prevailing situation in Swat and tribal areas, the Prime Minister said the government was following a three-pronged strategy i.e. dialogue, development and deterrence. He said the military option is not a permanent solution and can be used as deterrence only when the writ of the government challenged he said.
Gillani said the Nizam-e-Adl regulations were in vogue when Swat was a princely state, adding, in 1994 Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed had also approved these regulations. He, however, added that now the approval of recommendations given by Governor and provincial government or other stakeholders have been bracketed with restoration of peace.
Responding to another question, he said that the United States is also reviewing its policy, which was indicative of the administration’s views on the Kerry Lugar Bill and ROZs.
He further added that unless wining the hearts and minds of people, we can not win war against terror, he also said the restoration of government in Punjab and the PPP’s participation, Gillani said the party will decide about joining in government or sit in opposition.
Prime Minister Gillani said the government believes to evolving the politics of reconciliation and the PPP and PML (N) were in unison on the view not to destabilize each other’s government. He said the focus should be on national issues such as unemployment, poverty, price hike, social issues and law and order resolution.
He said the security of Pakistan is our objective and to protect the life and property of people he said.
The Prime Minister said the constitutional amendments with respect to the formation of a parliamentary committee; a resolution will be tabled in the National Assembly during the upcoming session.
Earlier, the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani arrived at at Garhi Khuda Baksh by Helicopter, where the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers and leaders of the PPP received and accorded warm welcome, on the occasion strict security measures were taken by the Police and Rangers.
__Garhi Khuda Bux: The 30th death anniversary of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder and former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will be observed throughout the country today (Saturday), where the millions of people across the country to pay rich tribute to their late leader at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The anniversary programs started late night and continue till the Saturday evening, on the occasion a documentary video displayed at public meeting at Garhi Khuda Bux a native village of Bhutto’s family and speeches by various Federal and provincial Minister party leaders.
While, Pakistan Peoples Party (S.B) Chairperson Ghinwa Bhutto will also arrange a public meeting on Saturday morning and PPP workers and leaders caravans of both factions, arrived here from the interior of Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan and Azad Kashmir.
PPP arranged recitation, naats and a mushahira and speeches late night till the morning and all party workers and leaders observed two minutes calmness at 2.05 am here at public meeting at Garhi Khuda Bux. According to the sources, till the filling of this report after the CEC meeting, president Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will address the public meeting here at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The candle lit rallies were also taken out by the different PPP factions including the PPP cultural wing, women wing, labour wing and other leaders heaped praise on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for his services to the party and the country.
On the occasion security was beefed up and about 6000 police and rangers were deployed all over the Garhi Khuda Bux and Naudero.
The PPP leaders including the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Faryal Talpur, Central Secretary General Jehangir Badr, Raza Rabani, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtiar, Salman Taseer, Baber Aiwan, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, Qasim Zia, Rehman Malik, Fahmida Mirza, Farooq H Naik, Federal and Provincial Ministers Khurshed Ahmed Shah, Agha Siraj Durani and several PPP MNA and MPAs paid rich tributes to the Z. A Bhutto and offered Fateha on the martyred graves.
The Minister for Sindh Minister for Information Department Mohtarma Shazia Atta Marri today visited the Mazars of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shah Shahnawaz Bhutto offered fateha and floral wreath on the Mazars of Shaheeds, talking to media men at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto the Minister said that 30th death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto which is being held at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto, in this regard, all the arrangements have been finalized, the Jalsa, Mushaira and Quran Khuwani will also be held accordingly and the security arrangements will be ensured at any cost.
Information Minister Shazia Atta Marri said that the 4th April reminds to the nation, the assassination of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto lakhs of the people are coming Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto to pay rich tribute, the services rendered by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for the welfare of downtrodden people and Shaheed ZA Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave great sacrifices of their lives for rights of the poor people and the restoration of democracy.
The Minister also said that the government of sindh and Federal Government also striving hard to maintain law and order situation under control and provide relief and justice to the people at their door steps. |
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President Obama condoles death of Aquino |
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Washington DC; August 1, 2009: The President was deeply saddened by of the death of former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino. Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent “People Power” movement over twenty years ago. Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation. |
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Human Rights Day News Conference at the National Press Club |
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Lahore: December 7, 2009. (PCP) Pakistan Christian Congress PCC leaders and PCC Youth rushed to hospitals to donate blood for injured of Alama Iqbal Town victims of suicide bombers here today.
The two suicide bombers rocked Lahore and killed 43 innocent citizens and injured dozens in a busy market and court house.
The youth members of Pakistan Christian Congress Council Lahore donated blood to the blast victims of Lahore on 07th December, 2009.
While talking to the newsmen Mr. Inderias Dominic Bhatti, the president of the council said that worth and reverence of life is our ultimate way forward. We are ever committed to do whatever we can in our best capacities.
Mr. Rizwan Paul the focal person of Youth said that sharing blood is a result of a psyche of Passion which we long had from the Party leadership.
The prayers, candle lightening and staying in silence for the rest and peace of the innocent killed in the blast was done. |
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Pakistani Christian girl burnt alive after rape by Muslim employer |
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Lahore: March 11, 2010. (PCP) A Christian girl working as housemaid was raped by son of her Muslim employer and on her threats to report police was burnt by rapist and his sister in city of Sheikhupura in Punjab province of Pakistan.
Kiran George was 80% burnt when Mohammad Ahmad Raza and his sister threw petrol on her and set her on fire to keep her mouth shut to report rape.
Kiran George was brought to Mayo Hospital Lahore from Sheikhupura on March 9, 2010, where she recorded her statement to police that Mohammad Ahmed Raza raped her in his home during work.
She died here in Mayo Hospital Lahore today and her dead body was taken back to her home in Jahangirabad colony in Sheipkupura.
Sheikhupura is some 40 miles from city of Lahore, Punjab.
Sources told PCP that Kiran George have complained her friends about bad behavior of Mohammad Ahmad Raza to her friends but was hesitant to leave job due to poverty of her parents.
Muslim employer of Kiran George instead of taking her to hospital called her parents and made a story that her clothes caught fire when she was cleaning kitchen.
It is second case of rape-murder of Christian housemaid in Punjab, when Shazia Bashir was raped and murder by her Muslim employer Mohammad Naeem advocate on 21st January 2010, in city of Lahore.
According to PCP, the relatives of Kiran George blocked road and burnt tires and demanded arrest of killers. |
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Saudi women had more rights at the time of the Romans than today |
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This is shown by a book written by a female scholar and published in Great Britain. At that time, they are able to run businesses; while today, at a discussion of work for women in Riyadh, all of the women were in another room. |
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Riyadh: May 2, 2008. (AsiaNews) - Arab women had more rights at the time of the Romans than they have today. At that time, in fact, their capacity to conduct their own economic affairs was recognised, which is not true in Saudi Arabia today. This is maintained by a female Saudi scholar, Hatoon al-Fassi, in a book entitled "Women In Pre-Islamic Arabia", published by British Archaeological Reports.
Barred from teaching at King Saud University in 2001, the scholar has examined the situation of Nabataea, a kingdom that at the beginning of the Christian era included parts of modern-day Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, and had its capital in Petra. Here, Fassi maintains, women were able to conduct business, without even the form of "protection" required by Greek tradition in these matters. In her opinion, it is precisely because of the lack of understanding on the part of Islamic scholars of the influences of Greco-Roman legislation on sharia that the limited rights and freedoms for women have arisen.
"We now live the worst status imaginable": this statement from Fawziya al-Oyouni, a women's rights activist, is reported in the review of the book on Middle East Online, which highlights how, when religious authorities, ministers, and businessmen met last month in Riyadh to discuss work for women, there were no women visible, because they were confined to another room, and the men were able only to hear them. |
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Sharia law to end in Swat Valley. Nazir Bhatti |
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Karachi: April 4, 2009. Pakistan Christian Congress PCC Chief Dr. Nazir S Bhatti condemned flogging of 17 years girl in Swat by Taliban of Pakistan under Sharia law and urged President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari to not sign Nazim-e-Idal bill forwarded by NWFP government which enforce Islamic courts in Northern Areas.
“It is need of time that political groups and civil society activists shall press upon government to end true in Malakand and Swat on conditions of Sharia law and Kazi Courts” said Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatti added “Suo-Motto notice by Chief Justice of Pakistan to produce victim girl of lashes is step in right direction but question arises weather NWFP government shall abide by Supreme Court of Pakistan orders when it entered in truce with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Tehreek Nifaze Shariat Mohammadi TNSM and implemented Sharia law in Swat, Malakand, Kohistan and other Northeren Area”
Another Video was also broadcasted by international media when to Muslim Butchers were lashed and fined in public by Taliban in Swat on accusation of selling Haram meat but no one bothered to protest. Now a video of teen age girl is not surprising because if Sharia law remains intact in NWFP areas then world will watch stoning of women, beheading and amputation of hands.
“People of Pakistan shall unite and protest against implementation of Sharia law in parts of NWFP because it feared that other groups shall also demands to extend Islamic laws all over Pakistan” said Nazir S Bhatti |
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HRCP urges Chief Minister to intervene to safe Christians in Punjab |
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Lahore: August 1, 2009. (PCP) The religious riots in Korian village and Gojra are frightening, where Islamic Religious Zealots have taken the law into their own hands. According to information of HRCP, some local Muslims made allegations against Talib Masih, Mukhtar Masih and Imran Masih for burning the Holy Quran. The accused denied it vehemently and yet angry crowd of Muslims lead by religious preachers burnt down several Christian houses on July 30th, 2009, the day a wedding was to take place between the children of the two accused. Islamic militants from the outside the village has created an atmosphere of fear and has destroyed and burnt property using firearms and explosive. Six people have reportedly been killed and several wounded or burnt. The situation remains tense.
HRCP urges the Chief Minister to intervene and save the lives of innocent Christians living in Gojra, Korian and villages nearby. Those who violated the law be arrested and an independent investigation be conducted. Anyone, who has given rise to an atmosphere of hostility against a minority community should be apprehended and tried. |
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Health and Education is priority of government: Nisar Khuhro |
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LARKANA: December 7, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has said that the health, education sector and other gas, electricity, roads and communication facilities are the priority areas to provide the masses at their door step.
This he said during his visit to the health institutions including PPHI in Aqil and Larkana Blood Bank and Thaelaesemia Center near Chandka Medical College Bridge Larkana on Monday.
Nisar Khuhro said there is need to provide healthcare fascilities to the common men as the health instiutions role is an important in society.
He said the several mothers died during pregnancy and health centers’ benefits should be received people of Sindh even in the remote areas he said.
Nisar Khuhro said health centers can play their important role to serve the ailing humanity and they must ensure the quality of treatment mother child health.
On the occasion, LBBTC Incharge Qurutul-Ain briefed the Speaker Sindh Assembly about working of institution, she said the institution is voluntarily working to help the deprived people and thaelaesemic child patients by providing free transfusion.
She told that LBBTC has served around 3700 people by providing free blood and all tests added that the volunteers of the center were also serving in the remote areas of Larkana, Qamber-Shahdadkot district she said.
On the occasion, Ghulam Abbas Kehar, Khalid Iqbal Memon, Mohammed Ameen Shaikh and others spoke on the occasion |
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Women Touching Lives in Sikkim |
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SIKKIM, INDIA (ANS) -- Raju and Prasela, a couple in Sikkim, India, stood by feeling helpless to do anything for their little boy. Sujin was seriously ill, and it pained them to watch him suffer.
Then the couple met a team of Christian women serving with Gospel for Asia. These women listened with compassion to Raju and Prasela’s plight and told them about Jesus. They prayed earnestly for Sujin, and he started to feel a little better.
The women helped Raju and Prasela get Sujin to the hospital. Soon, he was completely healed! Amazed that their son had recovered so quickly, the couple gave Jesus the glory and rejoiced with the women who had prayed for them and helped them. Raju and Prasela also chose to put their trust in Christ.
The efforts of the women who reached out to Raju and Prasela represent a vibrant arm of GFA’s ministry—the Women’s Fellowship. Through this ministry, women from local churches—many of them first-generation Christians—are discipled and trained to reach their communities with the love of Jesus.
During one outreach event, the Sikkim Women’s Fellowship team gave out thousands of tracts. God blessed these efforts, and many people began attending local churches to learn more about Jesus.
Even a GFA Women’s Fellowship meeting, designed to minister to the women themselves, turned into an opportunity to bless the surrounding community, as the Lord’s presence radiated from these women. While many of them made renewed commitments to serve Christ, the meeting also drew the curious attention of many non-Christians. Four families were touched and came to know Christ as a result.
A similar opportunity for ministry took place as two Women’s Fellowship members traveled to a church in Sikkim. On the way to this church they were able to share the Gospel with the driver they had hired. The man listened intently and decided to receive Christ as his Savior.
At least one Bible study has sprung up in Sikkim through the Women’s Fellowship ministry, with at least eight people coming out for prayer.
Give God the glory and praise for the harvest He is bringing through these faithful women, who themselves have been delivered from spiritual darkness. Please pray that the GFA women’s fellowship ministry will continue to grow and significantly touch lives in South Asia. May 2, 2008. |
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Police implicates Christian youth in false case |
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Sargodha, Pakistan: April 5, 2009. (Jawad Mazhar for PCP) A Christian youth was falsely implicated into the bootlegging case, detained and sent to jail by Factory Area Police of Sargodha, on March 30th, said father talking to PCP. In another such incident, an asthmatic Christian inmate died in District Jail Sargodha, on March 20th, PCP established from the statement of the wife of the deceased Christian man.
Talking to PCP Ashiq Masih the father of Christian youth Ashir Masih alias Janno said: on March 30th Factory Area Police of Sargodha City falsely implicated his son into Bootlegging case, under articles 3/4 (Drug Eradication Act (DEA)). Masih said that his son is innocent and Police have implicated him into this case (First Information Report (FIR) # 86/2009) thinking impoverished Christian would not be able to defend him self in the court of law. He alleged that Police have registered a fake case against his son merely to meet their target of registering maximum number of Cases.
When contacted, Police said, they raided and arrested Ashir Masih alias on a tip-off by a police tout.. Police also claimed that the suspect was illegally selling liquor and they recovered two bottles (1liter each) from the custody of the suspect. However, they could not produce the bottles before PCP.
Elizabeth, the wife of the deceased asthmatic Christian inmate Yaqub Masih alias Billu, told PCP that despite the fact that Police could not recover any drugs from her late husband, Elizabeth added, Factory Area Police Sargodha implicated her spouse in a drug dealing case on March 12th.
She said that during the Police raid, she had pleaded to the Police to let her husband go because he was a chronic asthmatic patient. Elizabeth said Police sent him to jail where he died of asthma due to the negligence of the Jail Medical Staff, on March 20th.
Elizabeth said that she has registered a murder case against the Jail Superintendent and Jail Doctor. She also said that after her husband’s death, she is in appalling condition. |
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Raymond Durrani, Joseph Patras, Agnes Massey, Asif Mall, Pastor Yousuf, Xavier William, Sunny Gill, Shakeel Inayat, Kamran Simon, Raymond Larson and hundred other condemn Gojra incident. |
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Facebook comments by Christian leaders: August 1, 2009. Hundreds of Pakistani Christian used Facebook to condemn killing of Christian in Gojra today. The Facebook network played positive and successful networking to connect Pakistani Christian and spread news of attack by Muslim militants.
The Nazir S Bhatti page on facebook remained active whole day and Christian posted their comments and expressed their anger.
The e-Mail network Coordinated by Raymond Durrani and Asif Mall also exchanged news of attack among thousands of Pakistani Christians around globe.
Pastor Yousuf wrote “WORLD STOP PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS” a meeting was held at Patchouge Sunny Gill said “please all prays for our Christian bro & sister who are suffering in Gojra”
Shakeel Inayat commented “It is shameful thing that are leaders are not doing anything to abolished the blasphemy law which is misused by so many Muslims people”
Kamran Simon said” this is truly a very shame full for Asif Ali Zerdari President of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Galani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Governor of Punjab, chief minister of Punjab and our political leader, religious leader especially all the bishops and churches leader when the are doing nothing. its mean they are playing a vital rule in these kind of activates, to make fundamental Muslims alive.
Raymond Larsen wrote” Dear God watch over your church, amen. It breaks my heart and sorrow” |
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Human Rights Day News Conference at the National Press Club |
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Washington DC: December 7, 2009. (PCP) This Thursday is International Human Rights Day, which marks the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Among the many local events planned in commemoration of Human Rights Day is The Human Rights Day News Conference at the National Press Club.
Sponsored by Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) a global, all-volunteer human rights advocacy organization, the Human Rights Day Conference promises to be an enlightening and thought-provoking event. Keeping with this year’s Human Rights Day theme of nondiscrimination, four notable human rights activists will discuss religious, racial, ethnic, and gender equality while highlighting the human rights challenges of women and children and emphasizing the importance of greater individual responsibility in defending universal human rights.
Features panelists include Jeffrey Imm of R.E.A.L., Dr. Nazir Bhatti of the Pakistan Christian Congress, Ashraf Ramelah of The Voice of the Copts, and Lisa Tao, Falun Dafa (Falun Gong).
Following the panel discussion, and dependent on favorable weather conditions, everyone is invited to a Public Outreach Gathering, planned at Freedom Plaza from 4:30-6pm.
Details:
Human Rights Day News Conference
Sponsored by: Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Where: The National Press Club - Zenger Room, 529 14th Street, NW 13th Floor
When: December 10th, 12:30 pm
http://www.examiner.com/x-31575-DC-Human-Rights-Examiner~y2009m12d7-Human-Rights-Day-News-Conference-at-the-National-Press-Club
(News Item was re-produced from Examiner.com |
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UK Muslims Launch Body to Promote Secular Democracy |
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London (CNSNews.com) - It's time for the "silent majority" of British Muslims to be heard over the noise made by religious extremists, speakers launching a new community organization in Britain said on Thursday.
A small group of radicals had hijacked the image of British Muslims, activists said at the launch of British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD).
Nasreen Rehman, a playwright and writer who is one of the group's founders, said that she was tired of non-Muslims wondering why she wasn't veiled, or why she was a working woman who hadn't gone through an arranged marriage and who was, in fact, divorced.
Growing up in Pakistan in the 1950s, she said, she had experienced a degree of freedom that might be unthinkable today, with a father who treated her as an equal.
Rehman said Pakistan had been radicalized, in part, because of the campaign by the U.S.-supported mujahedeen fighters against the Soviet occupation of neighboring Afghanistan in the 1980s.
In Britain, she argued, people have a distorted picture of British Muslims partly because militants and their activities make "good copy" for the media. Muslims account for roughly 1.6 million of the 58 million total population.
Rehman said a turning point had come for her in 2005, when a British teenager sued her local school authority for the right to wear a jilbab, a dress that exposes only the face and hands and which the teen claimed her religion compelled her to wear.
Rehman said the outfit had no basis in Islamic tradition."All Muslims knew there was no such thing as Islamic dress," she said. "I had sleepless night thinking about my daughters," and the effect such radicalization may have of their future.
The BMSD plans in the months ahead to promote the view that most British Muslims embrace democracy, while addressing the influence of religious radicalism.
Inayat Bunglawala, a political commentator who is also assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said Thursday that only a "tiny fringe of activists" in the Muslim community wanted to see secular democracy.
The BMSD launch came just days after another organization was formed with similar goals.
Launched at a London press conference, the Quilliam Foundation said its aim was to combat the influence of extreme Islamist ideology.
Leaders of the new think tank are mostly former members of the British chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization that promotes the creation of a caliphate, uniting Muslims around the world under Islamic law. They say their experience in the group equips them to argue effectively against extremist ideology.
Hizb ut-Tahrir declined to comment this week on the new organization's launch.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is currently publicizing a mobilization campaign in Britain called "Stand For Islam," aimed at challenging what spokesman Taji Mustafa called "the vicious media and political onslaught against Islam and Muslims."
Mustafa said in a statement it was time to question the capitalist system and liberal western values associated with it.
"Our campaign will show the sublime values of Islam and the ability of the Islamic system to solve modern problems," he said. "The Muslim world is crying out for Islam." 5/5/2008 |
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Shaheed Bhutto and BB sacrificed their lives for democracy in Pakistan. Asif Zardari |
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LARKANA/GARHI KHUDA BAKSH: April 5, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has said that the founder of PPP Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto laid down their lives for the sake of democracy and the party is full capable to face all the challenges to pull out the country out of national and international crises. He further added that "I promise you that with your support nothing of this sort will ever happen and no one extremist will be able to take over the country or break Pakistan."
Addressing the public gathering outside the mausoleum of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on his 30th death anniversary here on late night.
The President said that he was fully aware of the problems of common people like unemployment, lack of basic amenities of life and poverty. He said the Bhuttos slogan of Roti, kapra aur makan is very much applicable and for ever, we will provide them roti, kapra aur makan as we have made promise with the people of country he said.
Asif Zardari said that the world knows Pakistan because of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as they are the identity of Pakistan; he said the prevailing economic situation of country can be stabilized only by the PPP led government, so that the world has focused Pakistan and appointed their special envoys to support the country.
The President said that he was fully aware of the problems of common people like unemployment, lack of basic amenities of life and poverty. He knows that the country needs electricity, industrial production and water for irrigation and high yielding seeds for enhanced agricultural output.
He said that, “we will tackle the shortfall in electricity as Benazir Bhutto had done. I will bring high yielding seeds from China and will create jobs for the unemployed.”
He said the two provinces were in turmoil and after coming into power, the PPP was working for the strengthening of federation and harmony among the provinces.
President said PPP government has inherited all the problems at the same time; however the PPP led government is determined to overcome on those hardships to carry forward the mission of martyred leaders regarding the poverty alleviation and prosperous Pakistan.
He said the PPP government is evident of the symbol of democracy and federation, while during the next five years remain in power, will focus on the welfare of masses.
President Zardari said that PPP which is a party of masses has rendered innumerable sacrifices for the sake of Pakistan and democracy and its leaders even laid down their lives for this purpose.
“Everyone wants to become Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, but it requires martyrdom.”
He said the PPP leaders consider politics as worship, adding, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed despite knowing the threats to her life came to Pakistan and was martyred. We told BB not to go as there is danger to your life, but she said this politics is our worship he said.
The President said it was incumbent upon everyone to save and protect the Pakistan of the Quaid‑i‑Azam and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and “we will do it till the last drop of our blood.”
Talking about the welfare of workers, the President said the PPP government lifted the ban on workers unions in line with the vision and philosophy of our Shaheed leaders.
The lifting of ban on unions, he added, was aimed at ensuring that the voice of workers is heard.
“We have to live together. The whole Pakistan is with us and we will succeed in our endeavors”, he added.
President Asif Ali Zardari laid floral wreaths on the graves offered Fateha at the graves of his father in Law Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, her spouse Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and other martyrs of Bhutto family graves.
Later, the President Asif Ali Zardari paid visit to the Naudero Sugar and meet with different delegations, party leaders and workers here at President Camp House Naudero on Saturday.
30th death anniversary of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder and former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was observed across the country here on Saturday.
The millions of people paid rich tribute to their beloved leader and offered Fateha on the Mazar at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto a native village of Bhutto’s family. The anniversary programs started Friday night continued till the Saturday morning.
On the occasion a documentary video of Z. A Bhutto displayed at public meeting and speeches by various Federal and provincial Minister party leaders and President Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistan Peoples Party (S.B) Chairperson Ghinwa Bhutto also arranged separate public meeting here on Saturday morning.
Large number of PPP workers and leaders with caravans of both factions from the different parts of Sindh, Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir.
It was about tens of thousand people were attended the anniversary programs at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto and Naduero. The PPP arranged recitation, Mushahira and speeches were made late night till the morning.
In Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto several hudnered camps were established all party workers and leaders reached at the mausoleum and in front of public meeting at Garhi Khuda Bux.
A large number of PPP workers and leaders of PPP cultural wing, women wing, labour wing, youth wing, lawyer’s wing and other social welfare organization representatives and civil society paid rich tribute to the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for his services for democracy and the country.
Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party (SB) Ghinwa Bhutto said that it was big change for the people of Pakistan that they were demanding their rights, as the political awareness given by the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Addressing a big gathering in front of the mausoleum on the eve of 30th death anniversary of Z. A Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bux on April 4.
Ghinwa said that the martyrs are buried here under the mud at Garhi Khuda Bux but Zardari and his allies’ have no rights to occupy on the Bhutto’s family graveyard.
She allegedly said that the Zardari and his accomplices involve in the killing of our two martyrs of Bhutto family, so that they have no any legacy with Bhutto.
Ghinwa said the PPP has been hijacked for 20 years and the enemies of Bhutto family were exposed and they must be brought before masses. She said the Nusrat Bhutto was removed from the party chairperson post forcefully as she was supporting the Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto during the election.
Chairperson PPP-SB condemned drone attacks on Swat and other Pakistan territories and killing of innocent children and women are shame full for the PPP government. She said the Musharaf had supported US for such attacks to kill his own people. She also expressed the torture on women in Swat by militant groups.
Chairman SNF Mumtaz Ali Bhutto on the occasion addressed and said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a great leader of the world, millions of people come and paying rich tribute to him.
Mumtaz Bhutto said the dictator had forced him to go on exile but he did not accept that conditions for his pardon, he preferred to embrace martyrdom but did not bow before them.
He said the four people haves sacrificed their lives for sake of democracy and masses, he appealed to the people that don’t waste their sacrifices and oppose them.
He said we will take revenge for the assassins of Bhutto family, he regretted that after 15 months the FIR of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s murder has not been lodged and the killers are at large. He said Zardari knows the killers and protecting them.
He said the millions of rupees were spent on the security of Zardari during his visits and undue expenditures were used here in the name of corruption. He emphasized that such money should be used for the purchase of floor (Atta) for the destitute people of Sindh he said.
On the occasion, Party leaders Amir Bhutto, Meenhan Khan Rind, Innayatullah Umrani, Altaf Malgani, Qadir Aheer and others also spoke.
Earlier, the Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party (SB) Ghinwa Bhutto along with Chairman Sindh National Front Mumtaz Ali Bhutto his son ex-MPA Amir Bux Bhutto and large number of Party leaders and workers visited the Mazar of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutt, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto here at Garhi Khuda Bux on April 4. They also laid floral wreaths on the graves of martyrs (Shuhda) of Bhutto family, on the occasion recited the Holy Quran and remain some time. |
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Bishop T Nasir, Bishop Ijaz Enyat, Bishop Rafiq Masih, PCC, Overseas Pakistani, PMM, PCWO and many other Christian leaders condemn killing by Muslims. |
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HYDERABAD: August 1, 2009. (Abbas Kassar report for PCP) Anger and fear spread all over Pakistan among Christians when news of burning Christian women and children in Gojra City here today on August 1, 2009.
This horrified incident occurred next day after burning of a Christian village Korian, only seven miles from Gojra city.
Bishop T Nasir expressed grief on killing of Christian and said “ how long we will keep on receiving dead bodies and attacks on our brothers in Pakistan”
Bishop Ijaz Enayat appealed for prayers and urged to ’Stop Violence Against Pakistani Christians”
While Diocese of Hyderabad Church of Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack of extremists and terrorists on Christian in Gojra City in which 9 persons including 4 women were killed and as many as 50 homes were burnt to ashes and 100 homes looted. The Christian leader Bishop Rafiq Masih of Diocese Hyderabad Church of Pakistan has condemned the attack on Christian village and burning of more than 50 Christian homes there by fanatic Muslims who also killed 9 Christians including 4 women. He said dozens were injured in attack and as many as 100 homes looted. Bishop said that the incidents of hate and bias have now been common in Pakistan. He said this is 4th attack on Christians in past one month. He said the peaceful Christians are being made target to religious fanaticism. He said that even animals of Christian in the village were burnt down. He asked government to end the acts of sectarianism, terrorism and extremism and to stop division after division in the society so that peaceful atmosphere and behaviour of religious tolerance could take place which was the only way to strengthen Pakistan. He has made appeal to president, prime minister and other higher authorities to take steps to provide protection to Christian community and end their sense of deprivation. He asked for arrest and punishment of culprits and compensation to affected people of the loss they had suffered. He asked for resettlement of affected Christians.
ends
“LIFE FOR ALL” President Rizwan Paul, Secretary General Kasif Mazhar and Coordinator Amer Anwer
condemned burning of the innocent Christians and the houses. Life for All also thanked President Mr. Asif Zardari, Mr. Rehman Mailk and Mr. Altaf Hussain for their support.
Tabassum Iqbal Coordinator of Overseas Pakistani Christians Network also condemned attack on Christians in Gojra and shared his grief with families of martyred Christians.
Xanvier William, Coordinator of Pakistan Christian Congress Islamabad appealed Christian to stay calm and pray for families of Gojra who have lost their members in barbaric attack.
PMM, PCWO and many other organizations have also condemned attacked and have demanded government to arrest killers immediately. |
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“Effects of violence against women on the Society’ a Seminar by Arooj-e-Mariam Church |
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Faisalabad, Pakistan: December 7, 2009. (PCP) On 29th November 2009, Arooj-e-Mariam Catholic Church organized a seminar titled “Effects of violence against women on the Society” held at Centre for Peace and Harmony in Faisalabad. The speakers of seminar included Fr. Nisar Barkat (Director-NCJP), Suneel Malik (Secretary-NCJP), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Kehkshan Newton (AWARD), Shafiq Sharif (NCJP), Aqsa Kanwal and Naila Arooj. More than 110 women from Faisalabad and its adjoining areas participated in the seminar.
Fr. Nisar Barkat said, “Violence is a social tool used against the women which begins from some extreme concepts regarding cultural traditions, customs, sex and religion, and reduce the value of women against men in all aspects of life”.
Suneel Malik said, “Violence against women is the root cause of violence in the society, so it is imperative to eliminate different forms of violence to establish a peaceful and prosperous society”.
Shazia George said, “Traditional violence against women is considered as a social right of men in our culture”. “All forms of violence against women are hindrance in the way of sustainable development of the society, so they should be eradicated to protect the rights of women”, she added.
Kehkshan Newton said, “Violence against women hurts women physically and mentally, and badly affects their dignity, self respect and self confidence”. “The culture of violence can never be removed from the society without ending violence against women”, she added.
Shafiq Sharif said, “The practical cooperation of men is needed in the movement for ending violence against women, so people should reject violence at all because it is necessary to build peace in the society”.
Aqsa kanwal said, “Women have been victims of violence for centuries in the cover of typical cultural tradition; therefore there is a need to provide them equal opportunities and representation in all spheres of life”.
The speakers of the seminar called upon the government to:
• Ensure proper implementation upon the existing laws for the protection of women;
• Repeal discriminatory laws and customary practices against women;
• Ban jirga system and make better the system of police stations;
• Establish educational and technical institutions for the empowerment of women and establish effective women shelters for victims of violence.
(Report was compiled by Shafique Sharif, Faisalabad) |
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“I was not flogged by Taliban” NWFP government reports SC |
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ISLAMABAD: April 6, 2009. (PCP) The 17 years old girl flogged by Taliban in Swat valley on accusations of affair with other man was not presented before Supreme Court of Pakistan during hearing set today by Chief Justice of Pakistan SC on Suo-Muto notice after dreadful video broadcasted by TV channels.
The Chief Secretary of NWFP and IG were present but victim girl was not produced in SC Bench of 8 judges set by CJ under his chair. The statement of flogged girl was submitted “I was not flogged by Taliban” which surprised honorable CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry.
It was already feared that NWFP government shall adopt every measure to mislead SC to save truce with Taliban of Swat to implement Kazi Courts and Sharia law in North Western Areas of Pakistan.
Indian press reported that “Chand Bibi, the 17-year-old girl who was shown being held down by three men while a fourth flogged her, reportedly told the judge of a Qazi or Islamic court and Divisional Commissioner Syed Mohammad Javed yesterday that such an incident had never happened”
According to agencies “North West Frontier Province Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told The News daily that Chand Bibi had made a statement to the two officials who visited her village of Kala Killay in Kabal sub-division yesterday”
Times of India wrote “Quoting the divisional commissioner, Hussain said the girl made it clear she was married to a man named Adalat Khan. She refuted reports that both of them were flogged by the Taliban as punishment for having "illicit relations" and then forcibly married. Hussain also said Chand Bibi had expressed her inability to appear in the Supreme Court as she and her family felt it was not appropriate for a purdah-observing Pashtun girl to do so in the presence of TV cameras and onlookers”
Human Right organizations and people of Pakistan are outraged after Video of girl being flogged in public and pressing upon President Asif Ali Zardari not to approve Shariat Regulation Bill forwarded by NWFP government. |
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Talibanization rising in Pakistan!!! Pervez Mohabat |
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Dear Dr. Nazir S. Bhatti Sahib,
Peace from Cathe Foundation Pakistan!
I am writing in detail on the subject cited above as fundamentalism com Talibanization is rising more in Pakistan. The tearful and tragic incidence of Korian Village of Gojra is one of the so many other cruel acts of fundamentalists in Pakistan. I would like to appreciate the courage, aptitude of being strong and committed nationalists of all the minorities in Pakistan who have been facing tough time since the birth of Pakistan even then have been dedicating their lives for the prosperity and wellness of the country. There are countless sacrifices of minorities in nation building, on the other side the more we are sacrificing for the uplift of the country and the people of Pakistan we are more at risk and at stake. Who does that and why is beyond our understanding. The most recent case of Imran Masih of Faisalabad being falsly accused of Blasphemy, who and his family was attacked by the whole native community who were living with them from the last twenty or more years together and had strongly family ties. What compelled them to physically attack Imran Masih's house and his family? What was beyond their socio-cultural norms and bindings? Who played this vital role in instigating innocent people to attack and falsely accuse a gentle man?
The whole world has a clear cut picture of Talibanization and Muslim fundamentalism in Pakistan which is I guess perceived and understood in political manners only. But what is beyond Talibanization? What is that spirit which makes people blind to who never think about their socio-cultural and moral relationships and much more than that? The Killing, burning of the whole village, dis-functioning of the state role in providing basic facilities or controlling the situation at that moment is really questionable. Who instigated a simple marriage function turning into blasphemy attempt and spreading cruelty and criminality?
The State, thinkers, civil society and religious leaders have to redefine the Talibanization which is increasing rapidly in Pakistan and killing innocent minority groups. The Catholic Church being a leading segment of the Christianity must play its influencing role to pressurize the government instead of just sitting with the high official and beating about the bush. The Bishops of all Churches (or so called Awami Bishops) must take a firm stand now because we can not wait for more Christian villages and people to be killed and burnt. We can not wait for the time when Talibanization overcomes the whole country and the state when Christians and other minorities will be killed publicly and we have no voice.
We strongly condemn the cowardly act of the Muslim religious fundamentalists, and appeal the government, NGOs, Church leaders and minority political leaders sitting in the Assemblies at local and national level to please take firm steps to protect our children, our elders, and our future generations.
In Christ,
Pervaiz Mohabbat
Chairman
Cathe foundation Pakistan |
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Pakistan Christian Congress PCC leaders and Youth donate blood to Lahore blast victims |
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Lahore, Pakistan: December 7, 2009. (PCP) Youth members of Pakistan Christian Congress Council Lahore donated blood to the blast victims of Lahore on 07th December, 2009.
While talking to the newsmen Mr. Inderias Dominic Bhatti, the president of the council said that worth and reverence of life is our ultimate way forward. We are ever committed to do whatever we can in our best capacities.
Mr. Rizwan Paul the focal person of Youth said that sharing blood is a result of a psyche of Passion which we long had from the Party leadership.
The prayers, candle lightening and staying in silence for the rest and peace of the innocent killed in the blast was done.
43 were killed and scores injured in two suicide blasts in Alama Iqbal Town busy market and Court House here today. |
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Muslim employer woman fabricates a theft case against Christian baby-sitter |
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Charnali, Pakistan: April 6, 2009. (Jawad Mazhar reports for PCP) April 5th: A Christian baby-sitter was accused of stealing 6 (six) gold bangles by her mistress here on the outskirts of Sargodha, said parents of the Christian baby-sitter talking to PCP on Feb 21st. Parents turned down accusation saying that some one else might have stolen gold jewelry but they (Muslim mistress and her family) are targeting our little daughter thinking that this little girl and her impoverished Christian family would not be able to stand against them and thus compelling the little girl to work for them free of cost.
Ashraf Masih, a deplorably poor laborer and father of the Christian baby-sitter told PCP my daughter Mehvish Ashraf 12, used to work at the house of a local Muslim school teacher Mrs. Humaira Bibi of Government Girls High School Chak (village) # 79 NB, as a baby-sitter.
Masih said that on Dec 21st, 2008, four days before the last years Christmas my daughter Mehvish Ashraf returned home for Christmas celebrations. He said that Muslim school teacher Humaira Bibi and her husband themselves came to drop her at our home, Ashraf Masih added, at that time they did not say even a single word about the theft of their gold ornaments. Masih added, instead they were very happy and satisfied with the work and responsible nature of Mehvish, at such a small age.
Nasreen Bibi, the mother of the accused Christian baby-sitter said, after Christmas and New Year celebrations, on Jan 4th Muslim school teacher asked my daughter to re-join but we wanted Mehvish to quit her present job and continue her education. Nasreen Bibi went on saying that therefore Mehvish refused her mistress and got admitted in a local private school for her education.
Parents of the innocent little former baby-sitter said we were completely stunned to know when her Muslim mistress leveled charges of stealing six gold bangles worth Pakistani Rs. 160,000/- (US $ 2029/- approx) against her, almost two months after leaving the job of baby-sitter.
Parents said that refusal of Mehvish Ashraf infuriated Muslim school teacher Humaira Bibi and her husband and they have threatened the innocent little girl to return to her job or face the consequences. Parents added that Muslim couple has threatened to submit an application in the Saddr Police Station to register a case of stealing gold bangles under article 379 or 381 of Pakistan Penal Code. (PPC)
When PCP asked little Mehvish Ashraf about this case, the terrified little Christian girl said that she could not even think of such a sinister thing. She also said that her mistress wants her to work at her home and nothing else. She added that at work her Muslim mistress often lambasted me for being Christian and used to call me by names, making fun of my faith and Christ.
To query, Mehvish Ashraf said that her Muslim mistress harbored resentment for her denial to return and this had been simmering up in her heart and now she has accused me of stealing gold jewelry, to quench her revenge.
The parents of Mehvish Ashraf apprised PCP that on Feb 4th Mrs. Humaira Bibi, her husband and two other unknown women came to their house and searched every nook and corner of their house saying that a sorcerer has told them that we have kept the jewelry in a black polythene bag, under a cub, on a shelf.
Parents of the innocent little Christian girl added that the prophecy of the wizard proved to be a lie, after they could not recover the gold bangles from our home.
Ashraf and Nasreen, father and mother of little Christian girl said that this is evident from the words and actions of the Muslim mistress that she wants Mehvish to return at her job and take care of her children when she is on her job at Government Girls High School Chak # 79 NB.
Parents said we can bet and swear that our daughter can not do such an evil act of casting malicious eye on some one else’s things. Concerned parents also said that in case Muslim school teacher goes to Police they would be helpless to defend themselves in the Police Station and Court of Law.
UPDATE: It is notable that two other Muslim housemaids of Bajwa Colony work in the same house. The head of the village # 79 NB Asjad Bajwa has pressurized little Christian girl Mehvish Ashraf not to mention the names of those Muslim housemaids during the proceedings of the public jury. Initially it is not clear why he has done so. But it appears from this act that local village head harbors discrimination for the Christian residents of his village in his mind and some how he wants them to be kept away from this theft case and he even dose not want them to be dubious in this case. So, all the Muslims including mistress of Mehvish Ashraf, local village elder, public jury, police and every other Muslim of the village together have pre-planned to implicate this innocent little Christian girl Mehvish Ashraf girl into this theft case of 6 golden bangles.
The parents of the Christian girl Mehvish Ashraf have appealed to PCP help them in case this regrettable episode goes into Police Station and later into the Court house and save their daughter from the stigma of being a Thief.
Chairman of Christian aid group ROD, Mr. Ferhan Mazher not only denounced this sad occurrence saying that they this little Christian wean can not steal gold jewelry but some one else might have robbed them of gold bangles and now to recover their mislay of jewelry they are targeting Mehvish Ashraf thinking her to be a poor and defenseless Christian girl. Mazher also appealed PCP to help this Christian family. Talking to PCP Mr. Mazher said that this Christian family is very poor and I solemnly entreat to PCP help this Christian family. |
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Rangers in Gora: Christian demand arrest of culprits before funeral of 9 martyrs |
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Gojra: August 2, 2009. (PCP) Christian mourners are grieving on bodies of nine martyrs and denied to perform funeral until killers are arrested. The Rangers are patrolling the city streets and taken position to prevent any clash because situation is very tense in Gojra.
The Muslims are demanding arrests of three Christians accused of blasphemy while Christians are holding their demand.
On August 1, 2009, Muslim protestors and masked men discriminatory opened fire on Christians and burnt alive seven Christian women and children. The Muslims were protesting to arrest Imran Masih, Talib Masih and others accused in defiling pages of Holy Quran on July 25, 2009, in village Korian which Muslims burnt with chemicals on night of July 30, 2009.
It was second attack on Christian life and property within two days. Muslims have also bunt down 100 homes of Christians in village Bahmin Wala district Kasur on July 1, 2009.
It is feared that if necessary measures are not adopted for security in Pakistan then attacks can spread throughout Pakistan.
Nazir S Bhatti President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have demanded resignation of Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities selected by Pakistan Peoples Party PPP which governing Pakistan and Kamran Michael, Minister for Minorities in Punjab government when Punjab is governed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz group.
“Christians selected by PPP and PML(N) in national assembly are rubber stamp and tools of Muslims political groups which have been failed to protect Christians in Pakistan” said Nazir Bhatti
The Christians sitting in parliament are selected by Muslim political groups not elected by votes so they are powerless and law enforcement agencies in Pakistan not follow any order given by them.
‘The attacks on Christians are failure of federal government as well as Punjab provincial government demands Christians not to sit on treasury benches if they have any respect for Christian martyrs” added Nazir Bhatti
Dr. Nazir Bhatti said that “Black Day” shall be observed on August 11, 2009, to lodge our protests on killing of Christians by Muslims militants.
Nazir Bhatti demanded to repeal blasphemy law and arrests of culprits before August 11, 2009.
The Christian shall gather before Press Clubs of Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Karachi and other cities for peaceful protest for demands and resignation of Shahbaz Bhatti, Kamran Michael and all selected Christian members in National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies on August 11, 2009. |
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Sindhi nationalists demand provincial autonomy |
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Larkana: December 9, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) Nationalist parties including Sindh United Party (SUP), Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP), Sindh National Front (SNF), Awami Tehreek and Save Sindh observed the Sindh Day on Wednesday throughout and took out a huge rally for the objectives of provincial autonomy, Sindh resources, law and order situation, poverty V/S employment in Sindh and other rights of Sindh here in Larkana.
A joint mammoth rally led by local leaders of STPP led by Khair Mohammed Magsi, Manzoor Qureshi, SUP led by central leader Asghar Shah, Mehmood Bhutto, Amber Mughal, SNF led by Ibrahim Shah and other nationalists started from Zulfikar Bagh via Bank squire, bunder road, Pakistani Chowke and culminated at Jinnah Bagh at Press Club.
The rally celeberated the day and chanted slogans of Sindh rights, they also demanded provincial autonomy, rights on rosources, employment to Sindhis, elimination of poverty in Sindh, settlement of outsiders (IDPs) and several other atrocities.
The nationalists said that they will continue their struggle for the provincial autonomy and objectives of Sindh rights and its resources to the local Sindhi people. |
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J Salik leads “Suicide Prevention Rally” of homeless families in Pakistani capital |
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ISLAMABAD: May 7: To highlight the plight of the shelterless people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the sufferings of the masses and to prevent them from committing suicide the World Minorities Alliance (WMA) led a rally from Press Club Islamabad to the Parliament House which was attended by thousands of helpless and shelterless people of the two cities here on Wednesday.
The rally was led by Convener WMA and former Federal Minister J.Salik who addressing on this occasion observed that he has been carrying out his struggle for the cause of the suppressed and underprivileged masses but now he wants to motivate these people to prevent them from taking extreme steps like committing suicide and selling their children and even their body organs like kidneys.
He called upon the participants of the rally to term the event as “suicide prevention rally” and further lamented that it is irony of the fate that bureaucrats and politicians are living princely life and the poor despite having paid all their taxes and having a great role in the national development are being compelled to commit suicide.
He further lamented that due to negligence of the government a group of profiteers, hoarders and black-marketers has made an extraordinary and unrealistic hike in the prices of the essential commodities making it hard for the common man to keep the body and soul together. He noted that Pakistan was massively funded by the international community and the donor agencies in the name of the development and uplift of the masses but no amount was spent for the cause of the poor. He alleged that all this money was wasted in the schemes that could benefit the elite of the country and to facilitate building of their palaces abroad. He said it is more than unfortunate an event that in this age of every day scientific inventions and development thousands of poor are compelled to live in inhuman rather shameful conditions with no facility of clean drinking water even. He expressed his disappointment that there is no representation of minorities in the parliament which has been a source of serious frustration and resentment amongst the minorities. He warned the rulers that their empathy on the sufferings of the minorities could compel the poor to take to rebellious course of action against the exploiters.
Later J.Salik was received by the officials of the Prime Minister Secretariat near the Parliament House whom he handed over the applications for the provision of at least a residential plot of 80 yards each to an estimated ten thousand applicants.
The participants of the rally including women, children, and even handicapped and ailing people were carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demand of a respectable living. They also chanted slogans for early implementation of the scheme announced by the Prime Minister to allot a plot to each and every shelterless dweller of the masses. |
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Peoples League expresses concern on Human Rights violation |
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Srinagar: April 7, 2007. (PCP) In a press statement issued by Senior Hurriyat Executive and acting chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League Mukhtar Ahmad Waza has strongly condemned the continued human rights violations committed by Indian troops in Jammu Kashmir. He maintained that the people of Kashmir would continue their struggle for an amicable and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute. He said that the Kashmir dispute is the main hurdle in the cordial relations between the two nuclear neighbouring countries. Spotting of more unmarked graves in Lolab of North Kashmir are the umpteen examples that Indian armed forces have been rendered trigger free and have unleashed terror in every nook and corner of Kashmir.
Mukhtar Waza called upon the international community to continue to highlight the human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian military and para-military forces in Kashmir and to impress upon the government of India to allow an independent and impartial investigation of the mass grave sites in the region. He said that the Kashmir Centre would continue to interact with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to ensure that the families of the victims could finally had the answers that they deserved
He urged the international human rights organizations to send a fact-finding mission to enquire about the human rights violations being committed by Indian troops in the region. |
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Pakistani Christians’ Coalition condemns attack on Christians: Manzoor Alam |
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Dover, Delaware: August 2, 2009. (PCP) Mr. Manzoor Alam Chairman Pakistani Christian coalition and Mr. Earnest Gulab President in a joint statement issued here today have strongly condemned killing of Christians in Gojra City.
The Christian leaders also expressed anger on law and order situation in Punjab and failure of government to adopt necessary security measures after incident of Village Korian where Muslim attackers have set on fire 75 homes a day earlier.
An urgent meeting of Pakistani Christian Coalition is called to sort out future actions to press upon government of Pakistan to arrest militants to ensure justice.
Mr. Anwar Siddique, a Christian leader of Coalition talking to PCP said “ Pakistan Christian’s Coalition urges government of Pakistan to protect minorities” |
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People perturbed on Human Rights Day |
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Lahore: December 9, 2009. PCP) International Human Rights Day of 2009 falls amidst the cruel realities being faced by Pakistanis.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is extremely perturbed at the huge suffering of people in Pakistan owing to the lethal brutality unleashed by Islamist militants as well as the destruction caused by internal conflicts in many parts of the country.
A series of bomb attacks carried out by Islamist militants killing thousands of civilians as well as members of the security forces has been devastating. Children and women have been most vulnerable to the accesses of militants. Schools have not been spared and women living in the conflict zones are totally immobilized. Pakistan is facing one of its worst challenges to protect the rights of its citizens.
HRCP recognizes that it is the primary obligation of the government to protect the lives of civilians against the inhuman accesses of militant groups, yet, it calls for respect for human dignity during any armed operation carried out by government forces. Regrettably, credible reports indicate that the security forces too have committed human rights violations during army operations. The so-called counter-insurgency operations carried out by the military and paramilitary forces have used heavy artillery, killing an unknown number of civilians. Access to independent observers and the press is denied by the security forces. According to government sources themselves, several hundred people have involuntarily disappeared and a large number of families of the missing individuals accuse the security forces and intelligence agencies of perpetrating the crime. Torture is used by the security forces as a matter of routine. Reports received by HRCP reveal extremely inhuman methods of torture employed by the security establishment in Balochistan. People are blindfolded, hung upside down, burnt, given electric shocks, whipped, beaten with iron rods; kept under extreme glare of lights and their heads doused in water. Despite, several reports issued by the press, accounts by the victims in courts and to the media, incidents reported by national and international human rights bodies, the government has never responded to these allegations in any constructive or coherent manner. A bland denial is no response – on the contrary it only adds salt to the wounds of the victims.
HRCP is equally concerned about army operations carried out in areas of FATA and Malakand Division. Independent sources have complained about reprisals from armed militias operating under the patronage of security forces. There are verified reports of extrajudicial killings of suspected militants and their family members and arbitrary arrests of several individuals. Mass graves have been identified but the government has failed to investigate these allegations and has not been able to establish the identity of the dead bodies.
It is imperative that in these trying days human rights concerns be expressed in an unambiguous, and impartial manner and watchdog bodies orient themselves with the international humanitarian and human rights law during armed conflicts. It is essential that everyone remains entitled to the enjoyment of human rights, whether in time of peace or armed conflicts. It is important to give particular attention to the education of all members of security and other armed forces, and of all law enforcement agencies, in the international law of human rights and international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflicts. There are limitation on the use of force even during conflict and on opposing forces too. It is prohibited to launch attacks on civilian populations and the use of weapons which cause unnecessary suffering to combatants or which endanger civilian populations in the area of conflict is restricted and in some cases even prohibited.
Finally, HRCP would like to draw the attention of the government that they are obliged, as soon as circumstances permit, to report the number of those killed, injured or missing owing to the conflict. It is also essential that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be given access to prisoners of the conflict, the UNHCR and relief workers get free and unimpeded access to those in need of humanitarian assistance and that independent journalists be allowed to visit areas of conflict without being followed or directed by government agents. |
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'Ark of the Covenant altar' found in Sheba's palace, Remains of animal sacrifices discovered at home of Ethiopian queen: WorldNetDaily |
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USA: May 12, 2008. One of many monumental stele at Axum. The queen of Sheba's palace at Axum in Ethiopia, purported to once have been the home of the Ark of the Covenant, has been found, archaeologists from the University of Hamburg report.
The Ethiopian queen was the friend and ally of King Solomon of Israel in the 10th century before the Christian era.
According to the Bible, in 1 Kings 10, the Queen of Sheba journeyed to Jerusalem after hearing of King Solomon's wisdom to see if what she had heard was true. So impressed was she that she gave large quantities of gold, spices and precious stones to the king of Israel.
"It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom," she said. "However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."
Ethiopian tradition claims the Ark, which contained Moses' stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written, was smuggled to Ethiopia by their son Menelek and is still in that country.
The Bible makes no mention of Solomon and the queen of Sheba marrying or having a child.
The university said scientists led by Helmut Ziegert had found remains of a 10th-century-B.C. palace at Axum-Dungur under the palace of a later Christian king. There was evidence the early palace had been torn down and realigned to the path of the star Sirius.
The team hypothesizes that Menelek had changed religion and become a worshiper of Sirius while keeping the Ark, described in the Bible as an acacia-wood chest covered with gold. Remains of sacrifices of bullocks were evident around the altar.
The research at Axum, which began in 1999, is aimed at documenting the origins of the Ethiopian state and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The discovery was made in the last 90 days.
"The results we have suggest that a cult of Sothis developed in Ethiopia with the arrival of Judaism and the Ark of the Covenant and continued until 600 AD," the announcement said. Sothis is the ancient Greek name for a star thought to be Sirius.
The team said evidence for this included Sirius symbols at the site, the debris of sacrifices and the alignment of sacred buildings to the rising-point of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. |
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Court orders custody of 7 months old Christian baby Muskan on religion grounds to Muslim mom |
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Sargodha /Johar Abad, Pakistan : April 7, 2009. (Jawad Mazhar reports for PCP) District and Sessions Court of Sargodha ordered to hand over a 7-months-old minor girl to her Muslim mother, entirely on the religious grounds, here in Sargodha city of Pakistan, which is transforming into a hotbed of religious violence and discrimination against Pakistani Christians. PCP established through various well placed sources.
Imran Masih the Christian father of the minor girl Muskaan and resident of Noori Gate Christian Colony town of Sargodha city, tied knots with his Muslim beloved Mumtaz Bibi of Shabbir Colony town of Johar Abad, a rural and remote tehsil (an administrative division) of Sargodha city, situated 60 Kilometers north-west of main Sargodha city.
Family sources of Imran Masih apprised PCP that their Christian son Imran Masih tied wed locks with his Muslim sweetheart Mumtaz Bibi against their compliance about 2 and a half years back. Family said that this marriage came to its logical end after the birth of Muskaan, the newly born baby girl of the couple. They said that they knew that this marriage would end up this way.
Imran Masih, the Christian father of minor girl Muskaan told PCP that after the birth of his daughter he decided to baptize her and raise her like a Christian girl, unlike the persuasion of his Muslim beloved and wife Mumtaz Bibi, who wanted her daughter to be raised up as a Muslim.
Masih said that dichotomy in their plans for their daughter, especially about the faith of the newly born, turned into dispute between them and they used to quarrel over it. Thus they harbored resentment against each other over this issue and finally they parted their ways and divorced.
Imran Masih said that he kept his minor girl Muskaan with him and started rising her according to the teachings of Christ, Masih added, however his former Muslim wife was of the opposite opinion and she secured the custody of Muskaan through court, purely on religious grounds. The dejected father Masih said that if he would have been a Muslim and her wife a Christian then the courts orders would have been contrariwise. He flayed courts orders saying they are biased and an injustice.
Court sources said that Mumtaz Bibi filed a habeas corpus petition to secure the custody of her minor daughter. The sources on the condition of anonymity said that Bibi wrote in her plea to the court that her minor daughter Muskaan is living with a Christian man who is teaching her Christianity and raising her like a Christian girl. Sources added that in the petition she mentioned that 7 months old baby girl is Muslim and she urged the court to recover her Muslim daughter from the confinement of a Christian man, so that she might raise her like a Muslim girl, concealing the truth from court.
The District and Sessions Court Sargodha issued directives to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Factory Area to recover the Muslim baby girl and hand over her to her Muslim mother. Acting accordingly SHO recovered and handed over the minor girl Muskaan to Muslim woman and former wife of Christian man Imran Masih.
This is the latest in the series of injustices served to the Christians of Pakistan. There are several precedents from the past that court always orders to hand over the Children to Muslim single parent, over looking the facts and sentiment of Pakistani Christians. The courts orders would have been vice versa, in case Mumtaz Bibi would have been a Christian woman. It shows that Christians are living in a predominantly Muslim country Pakistan, where sympathies of the law enforcement agencies and courts of law are always with Muslims. |
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GPFP condemns Muslim militants attack on Gojra Christians |
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Karachi, Pakistan: August 2, 2009. (PCP) Mr. Ashraf P Butt Advocate, Secretary General of God’s People Fellowship of Pakistan (G.P.F.P) has condemned the brutally incident where 75 houses, two churches were burnt and more than 8 Christians were alive killed in ablaze fire.
Mr. Butt further said in his statement the background of this brutal incident is that Mukhtar Masih, Talib Masih and Imran Masih has desecration to Holy Quran and the fundamentalist extremist Muslims with pre plan attack the village / chuck G-B 95, in Gojra, Punjab.
A case under 295-B, Pakistan Penal Code was registered against Christians people. The fire brigade was not allowed to enter in effected village by the extremist Muslims.
Mr. Butt further added in his statement that the rulers of Punjab govt. must take immediate legal action against the culprits who are involved in this brutal incident be arrested and be punished and the effected Christian may compensate by the Punjab- Govt.
A protest demonstration held by the activist of G.P.F.P in front of Karachi press club against this incident on 2nd August 2009. |
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US administration urged to condition Pakistan Aid with Repeal of Blasphemy Law; Nazir S Bhatti |
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Washington DC: December 11, 2009. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC, on 61st Human Rights Day Press Conference at National Press Club, Washington DC, on December 10, 2009, organized by Responsible for Equality And Liberty REAL urged US administration to condition Pakistan with repeal of blasphemy law and amendment in Article 2 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti said that Islamic countries are signatory to Universal Human Right Declaration of UN but denying rights of women and religious minorities in their jurisdictions. The OIC member countries enjoy UDHR in Europe and North America but treat Christians as second class citizens under Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam CDHRI of 1990. The CDHRI claims Christians to be infidel under Islamic laws and rejects UDHR.
Answering a question, Nazir S Bhatti said “ Islamic Republic of Pakistan is committing constitutional genocide of Christians and burning Christians alive in Pakistan which is crime against humanity”
“Christians reject any procedural amendment in blasphemy law proposed by government because All Parties Christian Conference called by PCC on October 25, 2009, in Rawalpindi demanded repeal of blasphemy law” added Nazir Bhatti on a question.
Here is full content of speech of Dr. Nazir S Bhatti in Press Conference:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Universal Human Rights Declaration UDHR is no doubt a doctrine to ensure freedom and equality of human beings on globe which is signed by all member states of United Nation. But I must put on record that Organization of Islamic Conference also adopted Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam in 1990. The CDHRI of 1990, provides an overview on the Islamic perspective on human rights, and affirms Islamic Shariah as its sole source and declared its purpose to be "general guidance for Member States OIC in the Field of human rights". This may be seen as an Islamic response to the post-World War II United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights UDHR of 1948.
The Islamic states are signatory members of UDHR treaty in United Nations but adoption of CDHRI by OIC was no-confidence on UDHR and campaign to argue supremacy of Sharia law. The Islamic states enjoy privileges of UDHR but under camouflage of CDHRI deny it to individuals in OIC member countries jurisdictions. It is surprising that there was no effective voice against CDHRI Sharia laws on rights of women and minorities from any corner of UN. Therefore, we witnessed that OIC member states brought a resolution of “Defamation of Religion” to globalize controversial blasphemy law through UNHRC in October 2009.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan which is member state of OIC, always denied practice of UDHR in its jurisdiction and implemented Sharia law by President Order of “Prohibition and Hudd Ordinance” of 1976. The Islamic law of “Evidence and Compensation” scratched equal rights of Christians guaranteed under Section 21-26 of constitution of 1973. The Blasphemy law was legislated to victimize Christians and to end religious freedom in Pakistan. I must present a brief on Blasphemy law availing this opportunity because it has damaged harmony among religious communities and protected fundamental Muslim elements in Pakistan.
Blasphemy Laws derive from a colonial British Penal Code of 1860, which was amended in 1927, adding Section 295 of Penal Code, prohibiting hurting of religious feeling and belief, with punishment of three to six months. On August 14, 1947, Pakistan became an independent state but 1860 Penal Code and 1935 Indian Act of Colonial rulers were carried over into legislation of Pakistan. It is note worthy that regions which fell in lot of Pakistan on partition of sub-continent of India enjoyed complete religious freedom, therefore, we find only 9 registered cases under blasphemy law from 1927 to 1984.
Pakistan was declared to be Islamic Republic in 1973, adding Objective Resolution as preamble of Constitution and legislation of Article 2, claming it as home of Muslims only. In 1982 and 1986, amendments were introduced to the blasphemy laws that imposed capital punishment and from 1984 to 2009, more than 7,000 cases were registered under Section 298-A , 298-B, 295-B and 295-C PPC of blasphemy law in Pakistan. 32 accused of blasphemy were murdered in jails, police lockups or in streets by hands of radical Islamic elements.
The blasphemy law was used by Muslim majority in Pakistan to settle personal disputes and business rivalries against Christians and an end to Christian-Muslim dialogues in Islamic Republic of Pakistan after 1986. The Christian villages of Shanti Nagar, Korian, Bahminwali and Gojra were attacked by Muslim mob and hundreds of homes were set on fire. The Churches in Bahawlpur, Karachi, Lahore, Chianwali, Peshawar, Islamabad, Toba Tek, Faisalabad, Sukkar and Multan were attacked and hundreds of worshipers were gunned down. The Holy Bibles were desecrated, Pastors were gunned down and moreover Christian Children and women were burnt alive. The gang rape of teen age Christian girls and enforced conversion of Christian women is protected under blasphemy law in Pakistan.
Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have always demanded repeal of blasphemy law and implementation of Islamic law on 20 million Pakistani Christians which have turned them to be second class citizens. PCC have also submitted frequent memorandums with United Nations Secretariats urging to press upon government of Pakistan to revive Human Rights in true spirit of Universal Human Right Declaration of UN being signatory of treaty but situation of human rights is worsening and persecution of Christians is at rise in Pakistan.
I will urge US administration to condition Pakistan aid with amendment of Article 2 and repeal of blasphemy law for successful war against terrorism unless Pakistan will remain breeding ground of terrorists because such Islamic law provide protection to radical elements.
Signed by:
Nazir S Bhatti
President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC www.pakistanchristiancongress.org
Editor, Pakistan Christian Post www.pakistanchristianpost.com |
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Mothers working in Brick Kiln industry also Celebrated “Mothers Day” in Pakistan |
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Lahore: May 15, 2008. (Report by Margaret Piara) “It is my first time to get a flower from my children on the Mothers’ Day. I was crying to this happy occasion provided by the Milap Organization”. Parveen, the teacher of the Milap Sewing centre was talking to some 80 participants of brick kiln women gathered at Raja Jang in Kasur district some 55km down south of Lahore on May 11, 2008. She said that she has helped the young girls and mothers of this village where Christians are a small minority of 7o houses with the 1700 Muslim families. She feels happy to heave helped to them to learn the sewing skills and food preparation.
The women were gathered who took three hours leave from the good-natured brick kiln owner, which was unusual, but they have to make the same number of bricks after the sunset. They were allowed because of the Sunday service.
The out going catechist Ashraf Paul, who served in the community from last 6 years is transferred to another district of the 7 districts of the Lahore Archdiocese, said that he was dedicated to the cause of women and the poor children by starting the pre-school for the small kids before they would go to the school. He acknowledged the occasional financial help by the Milap Organization by way of the salary of the schoolteacher.
Sonia Sadiq, another member of the Milap Organization accompanied the director to give one rose flower each mother by her children. The kids would clap and pictures were taken which gave the mothers confidence that they have some value in the male dominated society where they are considered to be child bearing machines and play a secondary role in the house decisions and society at large.
St. Paul’s pre-school children which are in the primary stage from 7 to 12 years presented poems, dance and hymns which made the mothers happy and satisfied.
Margaret Paira, the Milap Organization director told the mothers, “this is the month of May, the month of reciting rosary and you mothers are to follow the example of Our Mother Mary and the good life of Mother Teresa.”. She further said, “the Milap Rosary group should continue to come together every evening especially during this month which will give them meaning of the hard labour in the brick kilks”.
She continued that it is her wish to have a Milap home where the poor children would get education and then proceed to the proper schools. She assured her little support on Christmas and Easter and other occasions like in the past. The Milap Organization is working for the widows, orphans and disabled and the poorest people of the Muslim and Christians society from February 2004.
Bashir Masih, a local Christian council member said, “We thank the Milap Organization and the catechist who is going to another parish.” He thanked for his constant effort for human, religious and educational development of poor children with the coopearationof Milap Organization. He said that the kids have been helping their parents at the brick kilns and studied in their free time and we are happy to see them on the stage to perform small items.”. |
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Suo-Moto Notice and Pakistan Supreme Court! By Bishop T. Nasir |
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“Do you demand to Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry to take Suo-Moto notice to repeal blasphemy law?” The Pakistan Christian Post has asked this question. I have seen the results on Pakistan Christian Post, 155 said yes, 46 say no and 2 said, “don’t know”. I appreciate the optimism and hopes of Pakistani Christians from the “Reinstated Chief Justice” of Pakistan. Unfortunately in the almost sixty two years history of Pakistan’s judiciary, no Judge of any court including the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken any “Suo-Moto” Notice to give any relief to the minorities of Pakistan. As a Christian I do not remember any “Chief Justice” of Pakistan who even bothered to look into the serious problems of Pakistani Christians. In March 1970, no Judge took Suo-Moto Notice, when in Murray College Sialkot; the Holy Bible was desecrated in the most hateful manner. No Suo-Moto Notice was taken by any Judge in August 1972 when the “People’s” Government” nationalized the Christian educational institutions. No Judge took Sou-Moto Notice when “Blasphemy Laws” were framed and made part of Pakistan Penal Code. Shanti Nagar in February 1997, Bishop John Joseph’s murder in May 1998, Killings of innocent Christians Bahawalpur on 28th October 2001, attacks on Murree Christian School, Texella Christian Hospital and murder of eight Christian youth went un-noticed by our Judiciary. Burning of churches in Sukker and Sanglla Hill took place when Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry was the Chief Justice of Pakistan. There are hundreds of cases of rape, murder, religious discrimination, burning of churches and Christian institutions that took place during his tenure till 9th March 2007 and from 20th July to 3rd November 2007, Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry did not take any Sou-Moto Notice or any action reported to him. I my self took up the case of a Christian woman, “Mukhtaran Bibi” who was brutally beaten by Muslims in Shekhupura and another case in May 2006 but Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudry did not even care. Very recently a church was desecrated, looted and the Christian community was attacked and forced to leave Kot Lakha Sing, District Narowal, I am waiting for a Suo-Moto Notice and action from Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry.
Unfortunately Mr. Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry took the biggest Sou-Moto action on 13th March 2007. He refused to appear before “Supreme Judicial Council” to defend himself in case of the Presidential References against him. He instead took this matter on the streets and sought help from handful Lawyers of Pakistan and political parties. He went to all major cities of Pakistan to muster support of the Lawyers, the “so-called” Civil Society, the political parties and the defeated generals of “Ex-Servicemen Society”. The present government under great political pressure restored him. It should not be forgotten that Mr. Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry took Oath under “Provisional Constitutional Order” (PCO). He is still a PCO Judge because after he was reinstated on 22nd March he did not take a fresh “Oath” under the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry has yet to prove himself innocent of the allegations that were leveled against him in the Presidential Reference of 9th March 2007. Yet now he is the Chief Justice of Pakistan for the third term under Provisional Constitutional Order and he is taking Suo-Moto actions on many issues, therefore he might be merciful to look at the plight of the minority community and especially the Christian community of Pakistan. Yet this will not happen. We have One Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, and One Provincial Minster of Minority Affaires in Punjab. They are well aware of the demand of Pakistani Christians to repeal Blasphemy Laws. Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti is also a Human Rights Activist and he is well aware of the plight of Pakistani Christians and their reservation and fears of the Blasphemy Law that is a tool in the hands of majority community to settle their scores with Pakistani Christians. I would rather request the Federal Minister Mr. Shabaz Bhatti to take “Sou-Moto” notice of Blasphemy Laws and move a “Bill” in the Parliament of Pakistan. He must take the President and the Prime Minster of Pakistan and the allies of Pakistan Peoples Party in National Assembly and the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. Yet this will also not happen.
Respected ladies and gentlemen, we are ignoring the Religious Political parties, the Mullahs and the common Muslim will allow even the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take Sou-Moto Notice on this issue. Mr. Justice Iftkhar Muhammad Choudhry became Chief Justice of Pakistan for the third time after a very hectic and long and expensive struggle. I don’t think he would risk his hard-earned post for this “Small Issue”! |
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Shahbaz Bhatti shall join PCC announced “Black Day” on August 11 |
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Lahore: August 2, 2009. (PCP) Today the Executive members of "Life for All" visited Gojra, and assured support to the victims, the President Mr. Rizwan Paul was in tears as he saw the burnt houses. Mr. Kashif Mazhar and Mr. Amer Anwer gave food to the Children and assured the people that they will built the Church again.
Mr. Rizwan told PCP that “rangers are moving in Gojra to ensure law and order situation” He further added that “I called Mr. Rehman Malik to thank him for his support, he told me that police has arrested a member of a banned extremist organization from Gojra”
He said that “Minister Minorities have announced "Black Day" on August 11th, instead of Minority day” The Coordinator PCC called Shabaz Bhatti to ask about the BLACK DAY, he said “we will celebrate Black day in all Pakistan on August 11th with all the Christians and the Christian Organizations. He also said i request the Christians to join me in this Black day and make it a success”
Another news is circulating that FIR is registered against 800 Christians by the Muslims, out which 17 names have been given my the Muslim leaders and 783 unknown people.
The Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Mian Shabaz Sharif announced 500,000 ( Five lacs) Rupees to be given to the families of the victims.
The President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari has strictly instructed the Minister of Minorities Mr. Shabaz Bhatti to stay in Gojra and ensure law and order untill the conditions are normal again.
Further Mr. President Asif Zardari said no one will be allowed to take the law in their hands.
"Life for All" and PCC highly appreciate the support of Mr. Rehman Malik, The President and MQM.
"Life for All" is making appeals for donations for the rehabilitation of the victims. |
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Training Workshop on Human Rights Education and Capacity Building in Faisalabad; |
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The Education Promotion Society (EPS) organized a five-days training workshop at Centre for Peace and Harmony in Faisalabad on December 01-05, 2009. 17 trainees from four organizations namely; IRDC, EACH, PSDO and CTTC actively participated in the workshop. The facilitators of the workshop included Father Nisar Barkat (Director-NCJP), Ester Unique (National Coordinator-EPS), Suneel Malik (Secretary-NCJP), Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Ch. Anwar Advocate, Sadaqat Sardar (Coordinator-Caritas), Shahid Anwar (Coordinator-NCJP) and Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM).
Father Nisar Barkat said, “We have to make certain changes in our behavior and must overcome the violence in our homes to make the society developed, peaceful, non-violent and prosperous”. “It is responsibility of a good leader to raise voice against injustice and bad traditions which leave negative effects on the society”, he added.
Suneel Malik said, “Government should provide equal opportunities to every citizen regardless of religion, sex, sect and language and must implement United Nations treaties for improvement in human rights situation in Pakistan”.
Naseem Anthony said, ”Women are compelled to confine themselves within homes in our society and they are not involved in decision making in all aspects of life”. “Civil society must play their role to eradicate the discrimination and violence against women”, he added.
Ch. Anwar Advocate said, “It is impossible to make a society prosperous and civilized unless we give the equal rights to the marginalized groups (women, minorities and children)”.
Sadaqat Sardar said, “Leaders are the pillars of a society so they should be educated, courageous and must have vision and positive thinking”.
Shahid Anwar said, “It is responsibility of Govt. to establish human rights institutions in the state for the protection and promotion of human rights”.
Shazia George said, “Women empowerment is impossible unless women are allowed to take decision of their own lives and must take part in the political process”. “Government must provide them equal opportunities, resources and equal rights in all aspects of life”, she added.
The facilitators of the workshop called upon the government to take appropriate measures for the improvement in human rights situation in Pakistan. They urged Govt. to: abolish all forms of discriminations existing in the constitution, laws, policies and curriculum against women and religious minorities; respect and regard international UN human rights treaties and ensure implementation upon them. |
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Muslim threats force out disabled teacher with dog, Islamic students reportedly taunted 'unclean' animal. WND |
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USA: May 17, 2008. A Muslim high school student's intolerance for a service dog needed by a student teacher with a disability has reportedly prompted the student teacher to abandon the last 10 hours of his scheduled assignment at Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minn.
The St. Cloud Times online said the situation developed with student teacher Tyler Hurd, 23, of Mahtomedi, who hopes to teach special education.
He's a student at St. Cloud State University, and was assigned to Technical High School in the St. Cloud district for his 50 hours of student teaching, and took with him his service dog, Emmitt.
The newspaper said Hurd needs a service dog because of a childhood injury that leaves him with seizures, sometimes happening as often as weekly. The black lab is trained to protect Hurd when he has a seizure.
The school district told the newspaper it wasn't really a threat.
"I think it was a misunderstanding where we didn't really prepare either side for possible implications," Julia Espe, curriculum director for the public schools, said.
Hurd, however, reported a student threatened to kill his dog. He said the threat came from a Somali student who is Muslim. Minnesota has a large Somali population, mostly Muslim, and they have been involved in issues over their religion in the past.
At the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, many taxi drivers are Somali Muslims and they have raised objections to carrying passengers with liquor. Airport officials finally threatened to remove from the cab drivers' line waiting for fares anyone who refused a passenger over the issue.
WND also has reported on the dispute over a taxpayer-funded school in a Minneapolis suburb serving mostly Somali Muslim students and accusations that Islam is being taught at the public facility.
Islam forbids its adherents from touching dogs.
Hurd earlier spent some time student teaching at Talahi Community School, where he said his experience was good. He told the newspaper Somali students there even petted his dog, although they used paper to keep their hands from actually making physical contact.
But at Tech, Hurd reported, students taunted his dog, and he left when he was told a student threatened the animal.
University officials said they waived the remaining 10 hours of work that Hurd was supposed to have finished.
"We came up with a solution because I felt threatened by it," Hurd told the newspaper.
A meeting was set up involving Kate Steffens, the dean of education at St. Cloud State, and assistant principal Lori Lockhart of Tech, in order to avoid future problems.
"We certainly welcome (Hurd) in our district, and we hope we can get this all resolved so he feels welcome and his dog is welcome," Espe said.
The college places about 1,000 students in 240 regional schools to help them get ready for careers in teaching.
On the newspaper's forum, "scorpionthoughts" said: "The last time I checked this is the United States of America!!!!! So many people are getting shipped over here and expect to be treated like they and their beliefs are better …. If you don't like the way things are in this country – stay in your own … place of origin!!!" |
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Polls no substitute to Kashmir decree : Peoples League |
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Srinagar: April 8, 2009. (PCP) Senior Hurriyat Executive and Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League Mukhtar Ahmad Waza said that forth coming parliamentary election is in no way any substitute of Kashmir resolution. In view of the fact that from 1952 till to this date several self-styled parliamentary and assembly elections were brought in action but they din not change the ground situation - Kashmir imbroglio is still an unresolved issue ,the temporization budge adopted by India may invite another Clash : a nuclear confrontation -which can not be ruled out ,if it happens this would engulf whole of the South Asia because it is an admitted fact that Kashmir at Present is a nuclear flash point between two neighbouring countries of the sub-continent, waza said. Mukhtar Waza maintained that so- called elections in Kashmir are not the substitute for the resolution of Kashmir, unless a meaningful tripartite discourse in not carved out and Kashmiri is the Prime party to the dispute , therefore both Pakistan and India have to respect the sentiments and desires of common stock of people of Jammu Kashmir.
Waza appealed to the civilized world to intervene into the matter so as to give a peace a chance to prevail in the region. |
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A Fijian Muslim expresses concern on Christian killing in Pakistan |
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Dr. NAZIR S. BHATTI.
I am so sad about what is happening to Christian community in Pakistan. I have been praying to Allah to give peace and protection to the helpless Christians and punish the heartless Muslims and their mad mullahs all of the Tabligi Jamat members but God doesn’t have a mobile phone.
The problem is that the international community and global media doesn't know about it.
My dear sir please inform the world governments and media now and petition them to pressurize Pakistani government to eliminate this situation, and punish the trouble makers.
Please, inform the United Nation, USA , British, Australia , Pacific Islands and all European Governments now while its happening so they can question the Pakistani government. Ask then to do something about it. It is only the world Christian aid groups that is helping the IDP Muslim. How could Muslims be so ungrateful and hurt the helpless poor Christians.
I as a Muslim have been talking to Pakistani Muslims here in Australia, they are even sad about the situation I said why don't they raise their voice against this atrocities , they say nothing will happen it the politicians who are creating this situation.
I even spoke to Tabligi Jamat members here some said they have been praying to Allah to bring stop to all this. I said it is their members (tabligi jamat) in Pakistan who are committing this atrocities against Xians and Hindus. I am not a Pakistani I'm a Fijian Muslim. I phoned some Muslim friends in Pakistan this afternoon. They told me they are sad, that women and children and innocent people are burnt and killed. i said why don't you raise voice against it. They said how? what a sad thing. Afsos kiya ajib haal hai? Khuda kanha hai. Yeh kaisi bewaqufi qurabani hai? I'm sad that I do not have Allah's telephone number or else I would have appealed to him to bring peace.
These fanatical Muslims are doing in the name of Islam what Prophet Muhammad himself never did. When did Mohammad burnt a whole community for the sake of one man's mistake.
The community who is persecuted they become the rulers and inherit the country , history has shown us this.
Kind Regards
Mohammad Azeez Khan
Australia
August 2, 2009. |
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Kandhamal victims unite, knock at Government’s doors for justice; action for grassroots reconciliation, security and confidence. John Dayal |
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India: December 11, 2009, (PCP) A meeting of Priests, Pastors, community leaders and activists held at
Berhampur on 7th December 2009 has endorsed the formation of the Sampradayik Hinsa Prapidita Sangathana [Association of Victims of commuinal violence in Kandhamal] formed earlier in Phulbani after a series of meetings in which human rights and civil society activists from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack also took part.
All these meetings were the first of their kind since Hindutva violence against the Christian community in Kandhamal and other districts of Orissa left over 5347 houses looted and burnt, 295 churches destroyed, women and girls raped, and more than 75 people murdered in the name of religion and ethnicity. Large-scale displacement and migrations followed with over 50,000 people becoming refugees in their own motherland.
Two fast track courts set up in the aftermath of the violence have lost the confidence of the people with murderers, one of them a BJP legislator Manoj Pradhan, being released in several cases with eye
witnesses too scared to dispose against the culprits. About 2500 complaints had been registered but only 823 FIR have been registered. All the cases were classified into murder (27 cases), attempt to
murder cases, rape case, etc.
The major task of the new association, working closely with clergy and civil society activists irrespective of religion, is to restore public confidence and to ensure that the victims and witnesses felt safe enough to depose in court. This grassroots action will also help in the process of reconciliation and hopefully allow people to come back to their villages which are now barred to them by Hindutva activists who are forcing them to first convert to Hinduism before assimilating in the old habitations.
However, the association has expressed its deep distrust in the current justice delivery system, saying the Fast Track Courts are working perhaps too fast in trying to finish off the cases without looking closely at the evidence. Of cases involving 12 murders, there has been conviction just in one case, for instance.
The association has also decided to boycott the Justice Mohapatra commission probing the murder of VHP vice president Lakhmanananda Saraswati and the violence that followed his death at the hands of a
Maoist group on 23rd August 2008. They said the commission has preconceived notions and has already formed its conclusions without even waiting for evidence.
The meeting at Berhampur, presided over by Archbishop Cheenath, was also attended by other Bishops and church leaders including Bishop Sarath Nayak of Berhampur and Believers Church bishop Bardhan,
National Integration Council Member John Dayal, Human rights activist Dhirendra Panda and senior lawyers from the Christian Law Association, Human Rights Law Network, and the All India Christian Council and all church groups represented in the region.
Meanwhile the Archbishop of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack and Kandhamal, Most Reverend Raphael Cheenath, SVD, has also met the Collector and submitted him a memorandum highlighting the same issues of instilling
a sense of security among the villagers and giving them adequate compensation, rehabilitation and employment.
It was made clear at the various meetings that security of the people remained the main concern. The sense of insecurity is also leading to a gross miscarriage of justice in the two Fast Track courts. As victims have complained to the Orissa High Court separately, witnesses are being coerced, threatened, cajoled and sought to be bribed by murderers and arsonists facing trial. Shoddy police investigations have already created a crisis in the dispensation of justice, and even genuine eye witnesses are reneging in court as they see the court premises full of top activists of fundamentalist organisations and often the same persons who had burnt their houses. The police remain mute watchers, as always.
The witnesses are threatened in their homes, and even their distant relatives are being coerced. This requires urgent and immediate action by the District administration and the Police to ensure that the process of justice is not thwarted and sabotaged.
There are major lacunae in the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of mass arson. Not a single Christian place of worship or Christian NGO has been compensated for their tremendous loss, but the poor victims are also being mocked by the inadequate compensation. The violation of principles of rehabilitation is at several levels. The first is in identifying the houses as fully or partially damaged. Secondly, houses by the dozens have not been enumerated by the government surveyors. Thirdly, the victims of the 2007 arson,
especially in Barakhama have been criminally left out of the reckoning
and for those 225 or so poor families, it has been second year without adequate shelter.
It costs about Rs. 85,000 to reconstruct a house and yet the government gives only Rs 50,000 in separate tranches. It is the duty of the state to give the full money. Just to save the people from the vagaries of the weather, the Church has sought to pitch in, but their resources are meagre and more than 2,500 families cannot be helped by the Church.
There is no information from government or the district administration about the livelihood of those affected by the violence. The administration without delay must conceive and execute a scheme so that every family effected by violence has at least one person, if not more, in gainful employment in government projects so that they can live a life of dignity, and to prevent large scale migration and
pauperisation of victim families.
It was felt special projects for the women victims, and especially young girls, are also required urgently in Kandhamal. There are already rumours of human trafficking. I pray they remain rumours.
The administration has to act swiftly on the issue of allotting land for homes to those persons who have fallen into the gap of the Forest Act, and have no land to build their houses. They have to be identified, allotted land so that they can live in peace without facing the perpetual threat of being ousted.
The administration, civil and police, have also to act with their full strength to stop the hate campaign that has been unleashed in the last one year, and which has penetrated distant villages, creating schism and hatred between communities. The law of the land must be implemented severely to contain and deter those indulging in thisactivity. |
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Canada: Human Rights Commission Bans Prayer in City Hall of Quebec's City of Saguenay |
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SAGUENAY, Quebec, May 17, 2008. (LifeSiteNews.com) – The city of Saguenay, Quebec must cease offering prayers at the beginning of its workday, according to the Quebec Human Rights Commission. The Commission forbade prayer, ruling that Christian prayer in city hall is opposed to the city's secular and religiously “neutral” position.
Maclean’s magazine reports that the decision follows a 2006 ruling in Laval, Quebec, that found such prayers infringe individual rights.
Cases such as this are precipitating calls for a review, or even a Royal Commission, of the actions, practices and biases of the Canadian Human Rights Commissions.
Recently, Human Rights Commission complaints against author and syndicated columnist Mark Steyn and the venerable Maclean’s magazine and against former Western Standard publisher Ezra Levant for publishing the infamous Mohammed cartoons, have resulted in a private member’s bill that proposes to curtail the powers of the HRC.
Under the current law, Human Rights Commissions have unusually broad powers of search and seizure, even greater than those of regular courts and law enforcement agencies. A complainant does not have to pay his own expenses, but the plaintiff must pay all costs, which can run into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Critics have said that they are not open to the proper scrutinies that are normal in regular courts, often holding their deliberations in secret without transparent legal oversight.
Many are saying, in media and in Parliament that such provisions are contrary to the traditions of Canadian jurisprudence.
Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity gave an address in Calgary earlier this month saying that the HRCs are suppressing traditional democratic freedoms. Kenney, labelled as "dangerous" the "illiberal tactics" employed by some activists in the name of tolerance.
Under the Human Rights Commissions in the last ten years, decisions have systematically targeted Christians and Christian values. Christian mayors have been fined for refusing to proclaim 'gay pride days'. A Christian teacher was suspended for writing against homosexuality outside the classroom. A Christian printer was fined for refusing to print materials for a homosexual activist group. A Christian political party is going through the HRC process for promoting Christian teaching on homosexuality.
In the most recent attack by the HRCs against Christian values, a Christian ministry in Toronto has been fined $23,000 after a lesbian complained that she was discriminated against because of the ministry’s sexual conduct code. She agreed to and signed the ministry’s Christian lifestyle pledge as a condition of her employment and later declared she had entered into the lesbian lifestyle. She quit the organization, claiming a "poisoned" work environment and filed a complaint. The Ontario HRC ruling forced the organisation Christian Horizons to abandon its Christian Morality statement as a condition of employment, and ordered all its 2,500 employees to be given pro-homosexuality human rights training. |
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The Catholic Church must be prepared in Upholding Workers Faith. Cajetan Peter D, Souza |
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India: April 8, 2009. (PCP) The recent recession has broken the hopes of many workers who have lost their jobs and returning back to their hometowns. This is the time when these workers should uphold their faith particularly in developing a trust that will safeguard their faith. Instead of having a lethargic approach towards their faith and families they should work to build a strong rapport with God in upholding their faith.
The Catholic Church must look into enriching and empowering these workers not just by their homilies but also encourage them to form a community and promote small scale businesses that will help them in their progress.
This is the time when the Church faces a mammoth challenge of empowering the laity in upholding the faith. Instead of having a lethargic approach towards their faith, they should work to build a strong rapport with God in upholding their faith. Many workers find themselves trapped when they are finding themselves in a hopeless state with unemployment and frustration.
The Catholic Church must look into enriching and empowering these workers not just by their homilies and regularly visits to these workers and their families but also encourage them to involve themselves in pastoral associations & Small Christian Communities which will keep them occupied. They could also start self-help groups in the parish and help other unemployed people in the parish.
The Catholic Church should be prepared for such challenges. The similar happened in 1990 when the Government introduced the new Government & labour policies which left many workers jobless, but couldn’t fully address the problem. This problem should be addressed universally before frustrated workers either commit suicide or take up criminal measures to make their ends meet. |
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Pakistan and Burning Alive of Christians: By Lee Jay Walker, Tokyo Correspondent – THE SEOUL TIMES |
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In Pakistan the relentless hatred of Sunni Islamic fanatics towards all minorities is continuing and the reasons, like always, are based on their hate-filled minds. Therefore, at least six innocent Christians have been killed on the grounds that the Koran was desecrated. Of course, no evidence, and even if evidence, does this mean you can burn alive women, men, and children? Well in the eyes of radical Sunni Islam it does.
You see, in the past few weeks many Shia Muslims have been murdered by radical Sunni Islamic fanatics in Iraq; meanwhile Buddhists are often killed or beheaded by Sunni fanatics in Thailand; and now it is the turn of Christians to be killed at random in nations like Somalia and Pakistan.
The connection, just like September 11 in America, is the burning hatred within Sunni Islam towards people of different faiths and towards minority Muslims who belong to the Shia or Ahmadiyya.
Yes, of course not all Sunni Muslims are fanatics, it would be foolish to claim they were but simply put, it is clear that Sunni Islam is inflicted with mass hatred amongst a sizeable minority of followers. This hatred is being aimed across the board, irrespective if you are Buddhist, Christian, Shia Muslim, Ahmadiyya Muslim, Hindu, or whatever. The pattern is the same but world leaders are either looking in the wrong direction or they are in mass denial.
Returning back to the massacre of these innocent Christians in Pakistan, just let us judge it in the complete light of day. Why were they killed, simple, because it was alleged that the Koran was desecrated. Even if it was desecrated, and no evidence to say it was, but does desecrating a book mean that you have the right to burn women, children, and men alive or to kill them by other means?
Just imagine the complete fear of being a minority in Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and other majority ruled Sunni Muslim nations. It is a living nightmare, for one moment you can be at peace with your neighbours but over one small incident you may be killed or persecuted. It is complete dhimmitude (http://www.dhimmitude.org/) and servitude to the ruling Sunni Muslim majority.
Also, even Buddhists are being slaughtered in parts of Thailand despite being the mass majority in this nation. After all, in the Muslim majority regions of southern Thailand it is now a living hell for Buddhists and moderate Muslims who oppose Sunni Islamic fanatics. However, Buddhists on the whole are not attacking Muslims in Buddhist dominated areas outside of the south where the current civil war is. So where does this burning hatred come from?
Of course a lot of the burning hatred comes from the Koran, the Hadiths and Islamic Sharia law. Other faiths in the past have modernized and changed but some Muslims want to go back to year zero, or year Mohammed!
You have co-existence in some nations like Kazakhstan and Malaysia because minorities are sizeable and tensions are minor when compared with nations like Pakistan. Yet even in nations like Turkey the small Christian population faces mass discrimination and sporadic attacks by Sunni Islamic fanatics.
Remember, we are not talking about a civil war in Pakistan or Somalia, no; we are talking about a small Christian population which is being attacked because Sunni Islamic fanatics do not want equality, liberty, or freedom. Therefore, when Muslims are killing each other in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia; the minority Christian community is targeted at the same time because these fanatics despise diversity.
Therefore, we have the mass stupidity of the President of America going to Egypt and talking about tolerance and co-existence and the need to reach out. Yet he fully knows that in nations very close to Egypt, for example in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen; that Sunni Islam is persecuting all minorities and internal Muslim civil wars in Somalia and Sudan have killed millions.
Also, in Egypt itself, many Coptic Christian women have been raped by Sunni Muslims or kidnapped and converted to Islam, or a mixture of both. Not only this, while President Obama was praising Egypt he must think that to manipulate reality is in vogue. After all, the Coptic Christian community suffers systematic persecution and many have been killed by Sunni Islamic fanatics in the past, and of course the legal system is anti-Christian in Egypt when it comes to family law, building new churches, and so forth.
Turning back to Pakistan and the latest massacre of six Christians in Gojira (the figure may be higher) it is clear that burning women and children in order to protect a book, is deemed to be both logical and Godly in the eyes of these Sunni Muslim fanatics. Yet of course it is not logical and it is certainly not Godly because it is an act of mass barbarity against innocents.
Remember, if you close your eyes and visualize the area of modern day Pakistan in the past you would have seen a world of many religions. Buddhists would have wandered this land in the past to preach about the Buddha and of course Hinduism is the very fabric of the Indian sub-continent. While other faiths, for example Jains, Zoroastrians fleeing Islamic persecution in Persia (Iran), and Sikhs, would have wandered far and wide.
Yet in modern day Pakistan you have virtually no Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and other minorities left because they all either fled because of persecution or to escape dhimmitude. While in the distant past, massive persecution and countless massacres eroded this rich diversity.
Therefore, in modern day Pakistan this Sunni Islamic madness continues and now they are killing each other in the north of the nation, while causing mayhem in Afghanistan. At the same time, they are killing minority Christians, Shia Muslims and Ahmadiyya Muslims. It is like a state of madness with no end game apart from complete Sunni Islamization and then an internal Sunni Islamic war on the grounds of who is the most radical.
The end result of this madness is that Sunni Islamic fanatics were shouting Allah Akbar (God is great), Allah Akbar, while they were burning people alive. Why, simply because they are being taught hate and this hate is being taught in many mosques and this hatred is inspired by the teachings of their own faith.
Therefore, will the world wake up to this hatred which is persecuting small minorities or will people be silenced because of fear or ignorance? |
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President Obama have unwavering Commitment on Human Rights. James Jones |
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Washington DC: December 11, 2009. On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, I welcomed distinguished representatives of leading human rights and democracy promotion groups in the United States to the White House for a meeting with me and senior representatives from over a dozen offices of the National Security Staff.
I reiterated the President’s strong and unwavering commitment to the advancement of human rights and democracy around the world, including the right to choose one’s leaders, to speak one’s mind, to assemble freely, and to worship as one pleases. This commitment was on display again this morning, in his speech in Oslo where he declared that “America will always be a voice for those aspir | | | |
