Washington DC: August 6, 2013. (PCP) On July 18th, 2013 International Christian Voice Canada participated in the forum which was organized by the U.S Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to discuss the future of religious freedom in Pakistan. Delegates and representatives from human rights and different faiths communities attended this event to share their thoughts on the future of Pakistan’s religious freedom. Members in attendance represented the Christian, Hindu, Ammadhiyya, and Shia communities. The program started with opening remarks from Mr. Thames (Director of Policy and Research, USCIRF) in which he introduced the role of the USCIRF and provided a briefing of the event. Mr. Shuja Nawaz, Director of the South Asia Center, Atlantic Council also gave opening remarks and spoke of the general problems and challenges Pakistan is facing today. Mr. Peter Bhatti, Chairman of International Christian Voice, shared his thoughts on behalf of the Christians of Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan was created as a progressive and democratic state which was the vision of the founding father of Pakistan, Qauid- Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Jinnah wanted to have a free and equal state regardless of caste creed or religion which he stated on his first constituent assembly speech on August 11, 1947. He added that the commendable services of Christians along with our Muslim brothers are significant in the history of the independence movement of Pakistan. Christians have played a vital role in different fields of society including the areas of health, education, defense, and social welfare. Furthermore, Mr. Bhatti said that after the death of the founding father, Pakistan was ruled by undemocratic and military dictators who used religion to prolong their rule, and discriminatory laws such as Blasphemy law, Hudood ordinances, law of evidence and other discriminatory laws were promulgated into the constitution of Pakistan. He added that Pro Taliban al Qaeda and extremist religious organizations were encouraged by the existence of such stated laws and they used these laws to persecute, victimize, terrorize, and discriminate against the Christians and other religious minorities of Pakistan. He said that these discriminatory laws are not only against the minorities but also go against the vision of the founding father Qauid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Mr. Bhatti said that the blasphemy law is a tool in the hands of extremist to persecute the religious minorities of Pakistan. He said most of the time, extremists use these laws to settle personal disputes, economic, political, religious or other reason, and Christians are even being killed in prison. Christians feel insecure and fearful in their motherland. Mr. Bhatti presented examples of the persecution Christians in Pakistan have faced in recent times including the case of Asia Bibi, Rimsha Masih, and the riots over the blasphemy law that saw villages destroyed and people burned alive. He then presented suggestions and recommendations to the USCIRF that would help the situation of the minorities of Pakistan and increase religious freedom in Pakistan. Among these recommendations included: 1) The blasphemy law and other discriminatory laws need to be reformed or repealed 2) The Ministry of Interfaith Harmony was highlighting the issues of religious minorities of Pakistan. The current government should bring back that Ministry in order to help change the mindset of the people of Pakistan towards tolerance and peace in the country and to help counter extremism and terrorism. 3) Political parties, NGO’s and other human rights organizations in Pakistan who strongly believe in human rights, democracy and religious freedom need to be strengthened. 4) Religious minorities, especially Christians, who belong to poor classes, need to be empowered to defend their rights. This way they will be brought into mainstream society and can prevent discrimination and persecution. 5) Religious schools and organizations who teach hate, extremism and violence should be banned in Pakistan and a new syllabus which is free from hate needs to be introduced in all Public Schools. 6) Bring religious minorities into the mainstream political life by allowing them to run for general seats, as well as keeping their reserved seats. Such duel voting systems would help uplift religious minorities. 7) Last month 3 Christian women were forced to parade naked in public in the District of Kusar by a member of the current government. We request the Punjab government to bring that culprit to justice. On behalf religious minorities of Pakistan, he requested to the international community to help and strengthen the peoples of Pakistan to promote religious freedom, human rights, justice and equality. He recommitted on behalf of the Christians of Pakistan, that despite all kinds of discrimination, victimization, persecution and uncounted attacks, they will remain loyal and patriotic citizens of Pakistan. They are proud to be Pakistani and are ready to sacrifice their lives for Pakistan. Mr. Qasim Rashid, National Spokesperson, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, highlighted the problems the Ahmadiyya community is facing in Pakistan. He said the Ahmadiyaa community is facing problems institutionally and constitutionally. He presented several examples of the persecution faced by this community. Mr. Rahat Husain, Policy and Legal Affairs, Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA) highlighted the issues the Shia community has been facing in Pakistan in recent years. He said that members of the Shia community are being murdered in Pakistan and that this needs to end. He urged the government of Pakistan to take concrete steps to stop the killing of Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Mr. Jay Kansara, Associate Director, Hindu American Foundation, represented the Hindu community and said that forceful conversions and rape of Hindu women is very common in Pakistan. He stressed that such crimes should be stopped and that Hindu’s in Pakistan are in need of empowerment. After all speakers had presented their thoughts, there was a question and answer period in which all speakers gave clear and concise answers to all questions. Following all answers, the program was ended. Mr. Knox thanked everyone for participating and joining the event.