Islamabad, Pakistan - Demo against Gujra violence

Islamabad: September 06, 2009, (PCTV reporter: Basharat Masih)

Christians leaders of Rawalpindi and Islamabad organized a demonstration on 6th September from Nawaz Sharif Park Rawalpindi to Press Club Islamabad to express their solidarity and commitment with the Christian community of Gujra that we will continue protesting till the justice is received to those families who lost their loved ones; their houses were blazed and they were left in trauma of this these atrocities.

Professor Salamat Akhtar,  Mehboob, Fr. Anwer Patras and other leaders of the community led the rally. People form different organizations participated in the rally and they were chanting slogans against those who have done this gory incident of Gujra, repeal of discriminatory laws, and demand for justice.

We have played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan and no one can deny it. We are Pakistani and have the equal rights and it is duty of the state to protect and ensure the rights of all citizen of Pakistan, said Prof. Salamat while addressing the rally. He condemned the Gujra incident and said that root causes of these incident are discriminatory laws which have divided our society on the basis of religion. He said that we have made sacrifices for our country, in state of war, peace and in any disaster and recently, Christian community has done a lot for the rehabilitation of internally displaced people .

These atrocities are an alarm that our society is undersized of religious extremism and it has adverse effects on the society. It is time to root out religious extremism. We demand to repeal Sections 295-B and 295-C of Penal Code of Pakistan. He urged government to make peace committee at grass root level and promote interfaith harmony to restore peace in the country. This incident has brought bad fame to our country among the internal and internation community and government should take such steps which can prevent these incidents in future.

Fr.Anwer Patras (Satellite Town Church) said that Christian community is one of the most peaceful communities of Pakistan. We are serving our county in all fields of life, then why Non-Muslims Pakistanis are threatened, attacked time to time and government is failing to protect their rights. Gujra incident has shocked all of us and our community will continue to protest until culprits are arrest and given exemplary punishment  and uncover those behind this act of violence. Rally ended with prayer of Fr. Anwer for peace in our lives and country.